Even if your porch is covered and protected from direct weather, Gen 2 PIR motion sensors are designed for indoor use only and are not suitable for porch or outdoor installation.
<h3 data-start="642" data-end="711">Why Gen 2 PIR Motion Sensors Should Not Be Installed Outdoors</h3>
PIR (passive infrared) motion sensors work by detecting changes in heat. Covered porch areas may still experience conditions that can lead to false alarms or unreliable performance, including:
<ul data-start="918" data-end="1031">
<li data-start="918" data-end="946">
Temperature fluctuations
</li>
<li data-start="947" data-end="958">
Insects
</li>
<li data-start="959" data-end="971">
Humidity
</li>
<li data-start="972" data-end="1031">
Environmental movement (such as wind or shifting shadows)
</li>
</ul>
Over time, these factors can cause the motion sensor to trigger incorrectly or operate inconsistently.
<h3 data-start="1137" data-end="1194">Recommended Solution for Protecting an Entry Door</h3>
For securing a porch entry door, we recommend using a door/window contact sensor. This is the most reliable and accurate option for monitoring a door and preventing false alarms.
<h3 data-start="1383" data-end="1423">Outdoor Motion Detection Options</h3>
At this time, we do not offer an outdoor-rated motion sensor that is compatible with the Gen 2 system.
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Even if your porch is covered and protected from direct weather, Gen 2 PIR motion sensors are designed for indoor use only and are not suitable for porch or outdoor installation.


WHY GEN 2 PIR MOTION SENSORS SHOULD NOT BE INSTALLED OUTDOORS

PIR (passive infrared) motion sensors work by detecting changes in heat. Covered porch areas may still experience conditions that can lead to false alarms or unreliable performance, including:

 * Temperature fluctuations

 * Insects

 * Humidity

 * Environmental movement (such as wind or shifting shadows)

Over time, these factors can cause the motion sensor to trigger incorrectly or operate inconsistently.


RECOMMENDED SOLUTION FOR PROTECTING AN ENTRY DOOR

For securing a porch entry door, we recommend using a door/window contact sensor. This is the most reliable and accurate option for monitoring a door and preventing false alarms.


OUTDOOR MOTION DETECTION OPTIONS

At this time, we do not offer an outdoor-rated motion sensor that is compatible with the Gen 2 system.

 

Can Gen 2 PIR Motion Sensors Be Installed on a Covered Porch?

Quick Links to popular Gen 2 Knowledgebase Articles

(Wi-Fi/4G version purchase September 2025 or later) Please use the default System code 9876 to enter settings or add a sensor to the Gen 2

Temperature Display Issue - Gen‑2 Alarm Panel Firmware Fix

New features on the Gen 2 Wi-Fi/4G model Firmware 2.3.07

How to Update the Firmware on Your Gen 2 Wi-Fi/4G Alarm Panel

What is the Difference between the Gen 2 Wi-Fi  and the Gen 2 Wi-Fi/4G Alarm System

Where to Get Information on Monitoring Your Gen 2 Alarm System

Device Alert and Alarm Sound Issues (OSI ALARM SYSTEM GEN 2 4G - A bug in firmware version 2.1.28)

About Gen 2 Wi-Fi/4G Key Codes (User 1–5 & System Passcode)

How to reset and re-add the Gen 2 Wireless Siren

Gen 2 Alarm Accessories: Specs, Range, Battery & Installation - PIR - Entry Sensor - Controller - Siren

Sim Card Instructions for the Gen 2 Alarm Panel (Self Monitoring)

I forgot my Gen 2 Key Codes

Siren beeps to indicate pairing success, but siren does not sound when alarm is triggered by SOS, door sensor or motion detectors.

How to set up the OSI Smart Alarm System Gen 2

How to add PIR Motion Sensors to the OSI Alarm System Gen 2

How to add Contact Sensors to the OSI Alarm System Gen 2

How to add the Wireless Strobe Siren to the  OSI Alarm System Gen 2

How to connect the OSI Alarm System Gen 2 to Wi-Fi and Smart Life app

How to connect and setup your wired sensors to the Gen 2

How can I set a sensor so it alarms immediately when triggered

When I disarm the system with the app, the Strobe Siren continues to sound and flash. 

How to add more than one wireless strobe siren to the Gen 2 OSI Alarm System

Gen 2 Display Panel is plugged in but the battery is still at 0% 

Gen 2 Alarm System Features vs the Gen 1

Receive a Notification When a Door or Window Opens or Closes

How do I reset the Arm and Alarm history records on the Gen 2 alarm system & Security Records on the Smart Life app?

Gen 2 Sensor Low Battery Warning - Signs Your Gen 2 Sensor Batteries Need Replacing

The alarm panel displays firmware version V2.1.22 but the 'Entry Notification' option does not display on the app settings 

Gen 2 Firmware V2.1.22 update

I have a cabin in a remote area that does not have internet.  Will the Gen 2 alarm system still work without Wi-Fi and can  it use a Sim Card?

How does the security panel alarm modes and accessories modes function

Motion sensor configured to 'Away' sets off alarm even when alarm panel is set to 'Home' monitoring state. The external siren will also not turn off when the alarm panel is 'Disarmed'

How to set up a schedule for the Gen 2 alarm panel to Arm and Disarm at a specific time daily.

Smart Life - Do Not Disturb Schedule

Smart Life app is not Discovering the Gen 2 alarm system device - What can you do?

When a Motion Sensor or Entry Sensor is Triggered, the Alarm Doesn't Sound or the Door/Window Sensor Doesn't Chime or Shows an Open Warning

How can I check the Wi-Fi Signal strength of the Gen 2

Gen 2 Motion Sensor is setting off the alarm system by itself.

How to set iPhone Smart Life notification to 'Persistent Notification'

Can I remove the stand at the back of the Gen 2 Alarm System?

What power transformer do I need to use  to connect to the DC12V 1A input on the alarm panel?

Will the Gen 2 send out a RF signal loss notification if a sensor is broken or damaged

What to do if your Gen 2 alarm system shows offline on the Smart Life app

Gen 2 open door warning still displays when the door or window has been closed

‘Duplicate Paired Accessories’ Message While Trying to Add a Second Sensor to the Gen 2 Alarm Panel

Gen 2 alarm system codes explained

Tips for Using PIR Motion Sensors with Pets at Home

How to turn on Alarm Notifications for your OSI Gen 2 Alarm System - iPhone 

About Gen 2 Wi-Fi System Key Codes  - Master, User 1 - 4 and System Passcode

How to disable the Entry Sensor Door/Window Sensor Chime

How do the batteries hold up in cold weather? Say an unheated garage in Canada? -20 Celsius for a few months. How often should I plan on changing/charging.

Check If Two Sensors Have the Same Serial Number

Gen 2 is not charging and backup battery switch has been turned on

The Gen 2 siren has been paired, but it does not sound when a sensor is triggered

Can't pair sensor with alarm panel as it displays the 'Duplicate paired accessories' message.

When the Gen 2 alarm system is in disarmed mode and a door is opened the alarm sounds

How to disable the tamper alarm on Gen 2 contact sensors and motion detectors to replace batteries

What is the other button on the Gen 2 Motion Sensor labeled 1 & 2

Adding the Gen 1 accessories: Contact Sensor, Motion Sensor, Remote and Wireless Strobe Siren  to the Gen 2 Alarm Panel

How to create a smart life scene to turn a light on when the alarm is triggered & how to turn the light off when the alarm is disarmed - Gen 2

How to remove the Gen 2 Alarm System from the Smart Life app and then Re-Add it back to the Smart Life App (2 methods)

Rename the Gen 2 Controller to know who armed and disarmed the Gen 2 Alarm Panel using the controller

How to Create Two Scenes in the Smart Life App: First Scene to Arm the Alarm in 'Home' Mode with a 0-Second Alarm Delay, Second Scene to Arm the Alarm in 'Away' Mode with a Designated Alarm Delay

Reasons why, when approaching your home or small business you press disarm on the app, the Gen 2 does not disarm right away

A wireless PIR (Passive Infrared) motion sensor might alarm by itself due to several potential causes

Why Bluetooth and 2.4G Wi-Fi need to be enabled on your cell phone to add the Gen 2 to the Smart Life App

How to pair the Gen 2 Vibration Sensor and what to do if the vibration sensor is to sensitive

Does the Gen 2 Support 2.4G and 5G Wi-Fi and 4G Sim option?

How can I reset the Gen 2 without deleting the accessories I have added?

Google Home and Amazon Alexa

I paired the wireless siren with the Gen 2 but it is not sounding when a sensor is triggered or SOS button is pressed.

Is there away to hear the count down when arming the panel without turning on the other sounds? I only want to hear the countdown when arming when leaving or entering that the house it's armed. 

Create a scene to: Sync two Gen 2 alarm panels to arm, disarm and alarm simultaneously

How to use a Gen 2 door sensor on your garage door

How to configure a sensor so it does not trigger the alarm when when you set the panel in “Home” state

How to disable the Arm and Disarm notification on your cell phone

How to Pair and Use a Gen 1 Keypad with a Gen 2 Alarm Panel

How to disable the Siren Beep sound when you arm, disarm or arm in home mode.

 OSI Signal Repeater for Gen 2 (previous version)

What are the Smart Life Alarm, System, Home and Bulletin notifications on my phone and can I disable them?

What type of power adapter plug is shipped with the Gen 2  that is sold on Amazon.co.uk?

What if I do not see the Smart Life notification categories on my Samsung phone

Gen 2 Power Outage - Wont Turn back on after power outage.

How to Get Smart Plugs/Lights to Automatically Turn On When the Alarm is Triggered

OSI External Gen 2 Keypad - OSI Alarm Gen 2 Accessory

Can I Add 5 Gen 2 Alarm Devices to the Smart Life, Assign a Manager to Each Property, and Retain Full Control?"

How to Share the Gen 2 Alarm System or Camera with Another User on the Smart Life App

Smart Life App problem sharing device due to users located in different countries

Smart Life Scene: Gen 2 'Armed Away' -> PTZ Camera Private Mode 'Off' | Gen 2 'Disarmed' -> PTZ Camera Private Mode 'On'

Instructions to create Tap-to-Run Scene to 'Arm Home', 'Arm Away' and Disarm the Gen 2 Alarm System

Armed Away' -> PTZ Camera Recording & Motion Detection are turned 'On' |  Gen 2 'Disarmed' -> PTZ Camera Recording & Motion Detection are turned 'Off'

Alarm Panel is set to Arm 'Away' and while Arm Delay is counting down a PIR Motion Sensors sets off the alarm immediately 

A siren that is paired with the Gen 2 was unplugged from the wall socket. When plugging it back in, the siren continues to sound and will not turn off.

The PIR Motion sensor or a Entry Sensor (Door/window sensor) is setting off the alarm panel even though the alarm panel is in the 'Disarmed'  State 

How to Prevent the Tamper Alarm from Triggering the Siren When Removing the Alarm Panel or external or Changing Sensor Batteries

How to turn on Alarm Notifications for Gen 2 - Android Phones

Important Notice Regarding Power Usage for Your Wi-Fi Alarm Panel

Re-adding the Gen 2 window/door sensors, pir motion sensors, remote controller & wireless siren to the Gen 2 alarm panel 

Using a surge protector to protect your Gen 2 Alarm Panel

OSI Smart Alarm System (Gen 2)

Hi, how can we help?