Published November 10, 2025 © GPL3+

Uses a particle photon 2 device to send messages to my phone when the lights are on and there’s nobody in a room.

Intermediate**Showcase (no instructions)1.5 hours1

Things used in this project

Story

This project uses a PIR motion sensor in order to detect if there is a person in the room that it’s in. If it doesn’t detect movement for 15 minutes, it will trigger the photoresistor to check the light levels in that room. If the lights are on, it will send trigger a webhook to send a text message using pushover informing the owner that the lights are on.

Breadboard and PIR sensor

HowItWorks

when the device is on, the PIR motion sensor will be constantly scanning the room for motion using an infrared sensor. If it detects motion, it will reset the timer and display that there’s motion and the light level in the room on a serial port, which you can check here if you want, (Spacehuhn Serial Terminal). If, in 15 minutes it doesn’t detect motion, it will have the photoresistor check the amount of light in the room. If the lights are off, it will mention that in the serial port, then the PIR sensor will continue scanning. If the lights are on, then it will trigger a webhook in particle which will trigger an app called pushover to send you a notification that the lights are on.

Setup

CircuitDiagram

https://app.cirkitdesigner.com/project/dba2b47c-a2d9-4979-b482-e99df9e10aa6

https://app.cirkitdesigner.com/project/dba2b47c-a2d9-4979-b482-e99df9e10aa6

PIRSensor

Use the male to female wires to connect the power prong to 3v3, output to D6, and the ground to GND, like in the diagram.

Turn both dials fully counterclockwise.

Coding

Go to the Particle Web IDE, and create an app called motionsensor.

**Read more

Code

Credits