Motion-sensor bulkhead lights

The motion sensor porthole light switches on by itself as soon as someone enters the room, with no switch to look for when you arrive with your hands full. The Hublotia model in this collection is mounted on the ceiling of a hallway, entrance, garage or workshop: oval shape, ribbed glass and grey metal, E27 bulb up to 40 W.

What is a motion sensor porthole light?

It is an oval ceiling light in glass and metal whose detection turns the light on as soon as someone enters the room, with no switch to look for. The Hublotia model is intended for a hallway, entrance, garage or workshop, with an E27 socket up to 40 W.

Built-in motion sensor porthole light: how does it work?

The sensor sits inside the light itself: no wall control is needed. It detects movement, switches on the bulb fitted in the E27 socket, then switches it off after the delay set on the device. This operation is found across several shapes in all porthole lights, from the round model to the square one.

E27 motion sensor porthole light: what the socket changes

The E27 socket leaves the choice of bulb open: power, light colour and rendering are decided at purchase, then replaced without changing the light. The Hublotia ceiling light in ribbed glass takes a bulb up to 40 W.

Which rooms should a motion sensor porthole light go in?

It finds its place where you come in with your hands full: hallway, entrance, garage and workshop. The light comes on as you pass and goes out without anyone thinking about it. The oval format and ribbed glass spread a wide light, suited to circulation areas as well as workspaces.

Hallway and entrance: lighting without looking for the switch

In a narrow hallway, an oval ceiling light passes above the walkway without cluttering the walls. The entrance gains the same: the room lights up while you put down bags and keys. Compare the formats in the ceiling porthole light family if your hallway is long.

Garage and workshop: seeing clearly as soon as you step through the door

At a workbench, light available immediately saves you looking for the button with your hands full. The model in this collection is 8 cm deep and mounts on the ceiling, out of reach of knocks. For a damp room, look instead at the sealed porthole lights for damp rooms.

Can a motion sensor porthole light be installed outdoors?

Not the model in this collection: it is rated IP20, an index reserved for dry indoor rooms. For a facade, porch or driveway, you need a porthole light whose protection rating is intended for rain and damp.

Why IP20 keeps this porthole light indoors

The IP20 rating indicates protection against solid bodies, with no protection against water. Outdoors, rain, condensation and splashes eventually reach the electrical parts. The light therefore stays in a dry area: hallway, entrance, closed garage, workshop.

Which collection to turn to for a facade or porch

For a driveway or porch, the outdoor models with detection are designed for that. If the room is damp without being outdoors, reinforced protection against damp is a better fit. Other similar shapes exist in the outdoor porthole lights, and you will find all the families in our full range of Designix lights.

How do you choose a motion sensor porthole light?

Three points decide it: the room and the protection rating, then the shape and material for style, and finally the socket and power for the light. The Hublotia porthole light is oval, in ribbed glass and grey metal, with an E27 socket up to 40 W, guaranteed for 2 years.

First check the room, the shape and the material

Start with the room, because it dictates the protection rating. Then look at the shape: the oval covers a circulation area, the round sits at the centre of a room. Ribbed glass and grey metal give an industrial style that works with raw wood, concrete or blackened metal.

Then check the socket, the power and the warranty

The E27 socket remains the most common and leaves the choice of bulb open. The maximum power of 40 W sets the limit not to exceed. The 2-year warranty covers the light. To compare, see detection with an LED bulb. The LED versions in the range cover other needs.

What light does a ribbed glass porthole light give?

Ribbed glass breaks up the bright point of the E27 bulb and spreads the light over the whole surface of the porthole light, without glare when you look up. The grey metal holds the structure and signs the industrial style, in an 8 cm depth at the ceiling.

Ribbed glass, grey metal and industrial style

The ribs in the glass diffract the light: the ceiling light illuminates widely instead of projecting a hard point. This is useful in a hallway where you walk under the light. Grey metal and transparent glass let the light through without tinting it, which preserves the rendering of the bulb you choose.

How to match the porthole light with the rest of the room

With grey and transparent, the light blends into a neutral decor: concrete, grey tiles, light wood. For the bulb's colour temperature, aim for around 3000 K for a warm entrance or hallway light, and rather 4000 K in a garage or workshop. You will see other shapes and styles of porthole lights if your decor calls for another format.

How do you install and care for a motion sensor porthole light?

It mounts on the ceiling, on the existing light point, following the manufacturer's diagram supplied with the product. The glass is cleaned with a soft cloth, and nothing should mask the detection area: no high furniture, no curtain, no nearby light.

Mounting the porthole light on the ceiling at the light point

Cut the power at the consumer unit before working, then follow the supplied diagram: it is authoritative for the wiring. Check the clearance around the device before fixing it. The Luminaire catalogue gathers the other ceiling light families if you are completing the same hallway.

Cleaning the glass and keeping the sensor clear

A soft cloth is enough for the ribbed glass, without abrasive products that would scratch the ribs. On the sensor, dust the surface without rubbing hard. An obstacle in front of the device, a high shelf or a curtain, is enough to delay or prevent triggering.

How do you adjust the detection of a motion sensor porthole light?

The range, delay and sensitivity settings depend on the model: they are detailed in the instructions supplied with the product. In practice, you set the detection to cover the walkway without triggering from the neighbouring room, then adjust the on-time.

Adjusting the range and sensitivity

Set the range to cover the useful walkway, not beyond the door. Then reduce the sensitivity if the device switches on for movement coming from the neighbouring hallway. Do a test by walking through the room: the useful values vary with mounting height and surface.

Avoiding unnecessary triggering

A sensor that switches on for no reason is often aimed at an obstacle or a heat source in its field. Move the light away from a heating vent, a sunlit window or a moving curtain. Too long a delay leaves the light on after you pass: shorten it.

Ordering your motion sensor porthole light from Designix

The porthole light in this collection is guaranteed for 2 years. Ordering is by secure payment, with tracked delivery and the option to return. The Designix customer service team remains available to check the room, the socket or the protection rating before confirming your choice.

What is guaranteed on this porthole light

The device is covered for 2 years, and you have secure payment, tracked delivery and the returns offered by the shop. The same conditions apply to our range of lights. They also apply to the other porthole lights in the range.

Unsure about the room or the bulb: ask for advice

If you are hesitating between indoor and outdoor, or between a bulb model and an LED model, customer service answers before you order. See the detailed Hublotia ceiling light page to check dimensions and socket, then confirm your basket.

Frequently asked questions