Motion Sensor Lighting in Jordan: Automatic Lights for Stairs, Corridors and Bathrooms with SONOFF
, by Bestways Team, 8 min reading time
Lights that turn on when you walk in and off when the space is empty. How to choose the right SONOFF motion or presence sensor and smart switch for stairs, corridors and bathrooms in Jordan.
Stairwells, corridors and bathrooms have one thing in common in most Jordanian homes: the light gets switched on, and then nobody remembers to switch it off. In an apartment building the stairwell light can stay on all night, and at home it is the corridor or the guest bathroom that stays lit for hours. Motion sensor lighting solves this simply. The light turns on when someone walks in and turns off by itself once the space is empty. In this guide we explain how to set up motion sensor lighting in Jordan with SONOFF, which sensor and switch suit each space, and what to check with your electrician before installation.
How SONOFF motion sensor lighting works
A SONOFF motion lighting setup has three parts:
- A sensor that notices people: a PIR motion sensor for spaces you walk through, or a radar presence sensor for spaces where people sit still.
- A smart switch module that sits in the wall box behind your existing light switch and turns the light on and off. Your normal wall switch keeps working for manual control.
- A gateway that links the devices together and connects them to the eWeLink app on your phone.
You then create a simple scene in the eWeLink app: "when motion is detected and the room is dim, turn the light on; when there is no more motion, turn it off". With SONOFF Zigbee devices, these scenes run locally on the gateway, so they keep working even when your internet connection goes down.
Stairs and corridors: PIR motion sensor plus a MINI switch
For spaces you pass through, the SONOFF SNZB-03P Zigbee Motion Sensor is the natural choice. It detects movement up to 6 m away across a 110° angle and runs on a CR2477 battery for more than 3 years (SONOFF lab value; actual life varies with use), so no wiring is needed. It mounts on a wall or ceiling with a magnet, 3M adhesive or screws.
Two features make it suit Jordanian stairwells and corridors:
- Ambient light detection: the sensor knows whether the space is dim or bright, so you can make the light turn on only when it is actually needed, and not at midday when sunlight is coming through the stairwell window.
- Adjustable detection duration: from 5 seconds (default 1 minute), so the light switches off soon after the last person has passed.
Behind the light switch you install a SONOFF MINI Extreme module. The right one depends on your wiring:
- ZBMINIR2: if there is a neutral wire in the switch box. It handles up to 10A, works with your existing rocker or push-button switch, and also acts as a Zigbee router that strengthens your network.
- ZBMINIL2 (2 pack): if there is no neutral wire, which is common in older buildings. It handles lighting loads up to 6A, works with low-power bulbs from 3W without an anti-flicker module, and supports two-way control, which is useful for a staircase with a switch at the top and another at the bottom.
Bathrooms and offices: why a presence sensor is better
A PIR sensor reacts to movement. That is perfect on the stairs, but in a bathroom, a study or a small office people often sit still, and a PIR-only scene may switch the light off on them. The SONOFF SNZB-06P Human Presence Sensor uses 5.8GHz microwave radar to detect both moving and stationary people within up to 4 m, so the light stays on until the person actually leaves.
It also has a built-in ambient light sensor, is powered over USB Type-C (5V 1A), and works as a Zigbee router. Because its rated working humidity is 0–90% RH non-condensing, mount it away from the shower and direct steam, for example on the ceiling near the bathroom door, and plan a USB power point with your electrician.
Which SONOFF model for which need
| Space or situation | Suggested SONOFF devices | Price (JOD) |
|---|---|---|
| Stairwell or corridor, switch box with neutral wire | SNZB-03P + ZBMINIR2 | 12.000 + 10.000 |
| Stairwell or corridor, no neutral wire or two-way switches | SNZB-03P + ZBMINIL2 (2 pack) | 12.000 + 26.000 |
| Bathroom, study or office where people sit still | SNZB-06P + a MINI module | 15.000 + module |
| Two lights on one switch box, no neutral wire | MINI-ZB2GS-L (2-gang) | 27.000 |
| You prefer a new smart wall switch instead of a hidden module | ZBM5-1C-86W (86-type box) | 28.000 |
| Gateway for all the Zigbee devices above | ZBBridge-P | 23.000 |
| Simple 433MHz RF setup with eWeLink alerts and scenes | PIR3-RF + RF BridgeR2 | 10.000 + 15.000 |
Prices are correct at the time of writing and may change. Please check the product page for the latest price.
The gateway: one hub for the whole building
All the Zigbee devices above need a Zigbee gateway. The SONOFF ZBBridge-P connects them to your Wi-Fi and the eWeLink app, and runs schedules and Zigbee linkages locally, even without internet. It connects 26 sub-devices directly and supports up to 128 when you add Zigbee routers. Mains-powered devices such as the ZBMINIR2 and the SNZB-06P act as routers, so a building with several floors can extend coverage as you add switches. The ZBMINIL2 is an end device, so in a larger installation make sure some routers are spread along the stairwell.
If you would rather have a wall screen to control the whole home, the NSPanel Pro 86 and NSPanel Pro 120 also work as Zigbee gateways for these sensors and switches.
Wire-free alternative: 433MHz RF
The SONOFF PIR3-RF is a battery-powered PIR sensor with a detection range of up to 8 m and a 100° angle. Paired with the RF BridgeR2, which supports up to 16 RF devices, it sends alerts to the eWeLink app and can be linked with other SONOFF products in eWeLink scenes. This route is handy for garages, entrances and storerooms. For stairwell and bathroom lighting where you want light-aware, local scenes, the Zigbee setup above is the better fit.
A simple energy example
As an example only: a 10 W LED corridor light that is left on for 12 hours a day uses 10 W × 12 h = 0.12 kWh a day. If motion sensing keeps it on for a total of 2 hours a day, it uses 10 W × 2 h = 0.02 kWh. Multiply that by every stairwell and corridor light in a building and the difference becomes noticeable. Your real figures depend on your bulbs and how often each space is used.
Installation tips
- Let a qualified electrician check whether each switch box has a neutral wire, then choose ZBMINIR2 (neutral) or ZBMINIL2 / MINI-ZB2GS-L (no neutral).
- Mount PIR sensors where people walk towards or across them, for example at the top and bottom of each flight of stairs.
- Keep sensors out of direct shower steam and outdoor rain; the SNZB-03P and SNZB-06P are rated for non-condensing humidity only.
- Start with the default 1-minute detection duration on the SNZB-03P, then shorten or lengthen it to suit each space.
- Your existing wall switches keep working, so family members and neighbours can still switch lights manually.
Why SONOFF
- The right sensor for each space: PIR for walking through, radar presence for sitting still, and RF for simple wire-free alerts.
- No rewiring: compact MINI Extreme modules fit behind existing switches, with options that need no neutral wire.
- Local Zigbee scenes: automatic lighting keeps working when the internet is down.
- One app for the whole home: lights, sensors, plugs and water heater switches all live in eWeLink, with voice control through Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, and Home Assistant support for advanced users.
Buy from the exclusive SONOFF distributor in Jordan
Bestways (TMAIN Security Systems) is the exclusive distributor of SONOFF in Jordan. SONOFF has one unified price at every authorised dealer in Jordan, every device is genuine and comes with a 12-month warranty from the official distributor, and our local technical team can help you plan the sensors and switches for your home, building or office.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to change my light switches?
No. MINI modules such as the ZBMINIR2 and ZBMINIL2 are installed in the wall box behind your existing switch, and the switch keeps working for manual control. If you prefer a new smart switch on the wall, the ZBM5 works with or without a neutral wire.
Will the light switch off while I am sitting in the bathroom?
With a PIR sensor it can, because PIR reacts to movement. That is why we suggest the SNZB-06P radar presence sensor for bathrooms and offices: it detects stationary people as well and keeps the light on until you leave.
Does motion lighting work if the internet is down?
Yes, with SONOFF Zigbee devices and a SONOFF Zigbee gateway, scenes run locally, so the lights still react to motion. You only lose remote control from outside the home until the connection returns.
Can I stop the light turning on during the day?
Yes. The SNZB-03P and SNZB-06P both detect ambient light, so you can set the scene to turn the light on only when the space is dim.
Ready to light your stairs and corridors automatically? Browse SONOFF smart home products or contact the Bestways team for help choosing the right sensor and switch.