Optex AP-360BR(C) 360-Degree Ceiling-Mount PIR Detector
The Optex AP-360BR(C) is a battery-operated 360-degree PIR motion detector designed for indoor perimeter and room-coverage applications where hardwired installation is impractical or impossible. The full-hemisphere detection pattern eliminates blind spots and coverage gaps when mounted at the center of a room or open space. Battery operation and compact recessed-mount form factor (52 × 42.5 mm) make this detector ideal for retrofit projects, temporary deployments, and facilities where running new sensor wiring is cost-prohibitive.
Key Features
- 360-Degree Detection Pattern: Omni-directional PIR coverage from a single ceiling mount point. Eliminates the need for multiple sensors to cover rectangular or open floor plans.
- Battery-Operated Design: No hardwired power required. 200 mA operating current enables flexible placement without electrical rough-in costs or schedule delays.
- Recessed Ceiling Mount: Compact 52 × 42.5 mm footprint fits standard ceiling openings and junction boxes. Low-profile aesthetics integrate into any interior without visible conduit or mounting hardware.
- 3.5 m Mounting Height Rated: Detection range optimized for typical 3.0–3.5 m ceiling installations. Maintains full pattern coverage at specified heights; performance degrades below 3.0 m.
- Operating Temperature Range: 5°C to 40°C. Suitable for climate-controlled indoor environments; not rated for unheated storage rooms or outdoor use.
- Lightweight Construction: 50 g (1.76 oz) weight simplifies handling and reduces load on ceiling mounts. Compatible with standard decorative trim plates and dual 86-type junction boxes for professional finishes.
- Low Standby Draw: 10 µA standby current extends battery life between service intervals, reducing operational cost and maintenance frequency.
The AP-360BR(C) is engineered for entry-level and mid-market security deployments where cost-per-coverage-point matters. Battery operation removes the capex and scheduling burden of hardwired sensor infrastructure — a significant advantage in leased spaces, temporary facilities, and renovation projects where permanent electrical modifications are not permitted. The 360-degree pattern is the key operational win: a single ceiling-mount detector covers an entire room or open hallway, whereas curtain or directional PIR models require multiple units to achieve equivalent coverage.
Recessed mounting ensures this detector does not protrude into plenum spaces or interfere with HVAC ductwork, critical in facilities with strict code compliance or where visible security hardware is unwelcome. The compact form factor and low weight allow rapid installation without structural reinforcement. Dual 86-type boxes support retrofit installations into electrical junction boxes already present in most commercial ceilings.
Integration is straightforward: the AP-360BR(C) outputs a dry relay contact alarm signal, compatible with any standard security control panel, NVR input, or relay module capable of monitoring binary motion events. No VMS-level metadata, no IP stack, no streaming — pure PIR event signaling. This simplicity is both a strength and a constraint: the detector does not provide analytics, adaptive sensitivity tuning, or remote configuration. Installation crews install it once, and it runs until the battery depletes. Battery replacement frequency depends on alarm duty cycle; high-traffic areas may require annual or biennial service versus multi-year intervals in low-activity zones.
Operating temperature range (5°C to 40°C) restricts use to climate-controlled indoor spaces. Unheated warehouses, outdoor entries, and parking structures are out of scope. In environments where temperature or humidity regularly breach these limits, Optex thermal or dual-technology alternatives should be evaluated. Compliance certifications and regulatory approval (CE, FCC, etc.) follow standard PIR detector profiles; confirm local fire-code acceptance with the AHJ and system integrator before specifying in life-safety applications.
Marty AllisonPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
We've installed the Optex AP-360BR(C) across retail renovations, emergency responder facilities, and temporary office buildouts where hardwired motion detection would have added weeks to the commissioning timeline. The 360-degree pattern is a game-changer for single-room coverage — one detector replaces what would normally be two or three curtain-pattern PIRs. The battery operation is the real differentiator here. No electrician site visit, no conduit runs, no integrated voltage drop calculations. In a 500-square-foot open floor space, the cost and schedule savings versus wired PIR infrastructure are measurable. We've also used it in facilities with sensitive ceilings — historic buildings, cathedral ceilings, and cleanroom environments where drilling and routing is forbidden. The recessed mount disappears into a standard ceiling box, and the battery drawer pulls out from below without a ladder or power tools.
The operational trade-off is straightforward: you get what you pay for in simplicity. No remote arm/disarm, no sensitivity tuning, no self-diagnostics. Once it's mounted and the battery is installed, it detects motion in a 360-degree cone from the ceiling until something fails. If you need to adjust detection sensitivity or view battery state remotely, you're out of luck. For high-security or mission-critical applications where supervised, networked sensors are mandatory, this detector is not the answer. But for perimeter walk-test coverage, emergency-exit monitoring, or basic occupancy-driven lighting control, the AP-360BR(C) is efficient and cost-effective.
Technical Highlights:
- 360-Degree PIR Pattern: Full omni-directional volumetric coverage from one ceiling point eliminates dead zones in open rooms. On a 4×6 m retail space, a single AP-360BR(C) at ceiling center replaces two directional PIR detectors and cuts installation labor by 40–50%.
- Battery-Operated (200 mA Draw): No hardwired power connection required. 200 mA operating current is low enough to run on standard lithium or alkaline cells for 6–18 months depending on alarm frequency. Retrofit and temporary deployments become feasible without electrical work-orders.
- Recessed Ceiling Mount, 52 × 42.5 mm: Fits standard electrical junction boxes and ceiling openings. Low-profile aesthetic blends into finished ceilings without visible wiring or surface-mount brackets. Compatible with dual 86-type boxes for professional retrofit finishes.
- 10 µA Standby Current: Minimal parasitic draw extends battery service intervals significantly. High-traffic zones may see annual battery replacement; low-activity spaces can run 2–3 years between service.
- Dry Relay Alarm Contact: Simple binary output compatible with any control panel, NVR input module, or third-party relay interface. No protocol complexity, no IP address, no firmware updates — just motion detection and an alarm signal.
Deployment Considerations:
- Battery replacement must be scheduled — the detector does not alert when battery voltage is low. Document installation date and expected replacement interval in the maintenance log. High-traffic facilities should receive annual service checks.
- Operating temperature limits (5°C to 40°C) exclude unheated storage areas, loading docks, and outdoor entries. Confirm ambient conditions at the proposed mount location before committing. If temperature variance is likely, select a hardwired or dual-technology alternative.
- 360-degree pattern coverage degrades below 3.0 m mounting height. If ceiling height is less than 3.0 m, test the detector in-situ before final acceptance. Coverage maps are available in the technical datasheet.
- Dry relay contact requires integration with an external alarm panel or NVR input. Standalone standalone operation (no control panel) is not supported. Confirm host system accepts passive alarm inputs before specifying.
- No remote configuration or firmware updates. Sensitivity, timing, and alerting behavior are factory-set. If site conditions require tuning after installation, the detector must be physically accessed and field-programmed (if supported) or replaced.
The AP-360BR(C) is the right choice for facilities managers and integrators looking to add reliable motion coverage to retrofit or temporary deployments without electrical infrastructure investment. It's also ideal for low-security, occupancy-driven applications (lighting control, HVAC scheduling) where networked analytics would be overkill. For full-service security deployments requiring supervised sensors, remote management, and advanced analytics, look at wired PIR infrastructure or IP-based motion detectors. For a practical, battery-powered, single-point 360-degree coverage solution, this detector delivers straightforward value. Explore the broader range of Optex motion detectors and sensors in the Optex catalog.
