PIR Motion Sensor Not Triggering an Alarm on the OSI Gen 2

If your PIR motion sensor does not trigger an alarm when you walk past it, first check how the alarm panel is armed and which modes are enabled for that sensor. A sensor set to 'Away' will not trigger a motion alarm while the panel is armed 'Home'. This is expected behaviour and does not, by itself, indicate a faulty sensor.

Why the motion sensor may appear not to work

By default, Gen 2 motion sensors are set to Away. This lets you move around indoors while the panel is armed Home.

Motion sensor Mode setting	Panel armed 'Away'	Panel armed 'Home'
'Away' default	Motion can trigger an alarm	Motion will not trigger an alarm
'Away/Home'	Motion can trigger an alarm	Motion can trigger an alarm

These results assume the sensor is powered on, enabled, correctly paired, and communicating with the panel. Any configured delays still apply.

Check which button you are pressing on the remote

On the remote controller shown below:

Shield with a check mark, upper left: Arm Away.
Shield with a person inside, upper right: Arm Home.
Centre button: Disarm.

If you press the person inside the shield, you are arming Home. A motion sensor using the default Away setting will not trigger a motion alarm in this mode.

After using the remote, check the panel display to confirm whether it says Away Armed or Home Armed. Do not rely only on the remote button you pressed.

Option 1 Keep the default Away setting

Choose this option if you want to move around indoors while the panel is armed Home.

Leave each motion sensor’s Mode set to Away.
When you want motion detection to trigger an alarm, arm the panel Away using the remote’s shield with a check mark or the panel’s Away button.
Confirm that the display says Away Armed.

When you want to remain indoors and move around, arm Home. Door/window sensors configured for Away/Home can still trigger an alarm in Home mode.

Option 2 Enable motion alarms in both Away and Home

Choose this option only if you want movement in the sensor’s coverage area to trigger an alarm in either armed mode.

Disarm the panel.
Select the Connection icon on the panel’s main screen.
Enter your System Code and select OK.
Select Sensor, then select the motion sensor you want to change.
Select Mode.
Enable both Away and Home. A green line beside each option indicates that it is selected.
Return to the sensor settings and confirm that Mode displays Away/Home.
Repeat for each motion sensor you want active in both modes.

Important: With Away/Home enabled, people moving through that sensor’s coverage area can trigger an alarm while the panel is armed Home. Keep sensors set to Away in areas where you need to move around while armed Home.

Do not select Always to solve this issue. Always allows the sensor to trigger an alarm even when the panel is disarmed.

Test the motion sensor

If you have professional monitoring, arrange testing with OSI support or your monitoring provider and confirm that your account is in Test Mode before triggering an alarm.

Confirm that the motion sensor is switched on and enabled.
Arm the panel Away and wait until the exit countdown has finished. Confirm that the display says Away Armed.
Walk across the sensor’s detection area.
If an alarm countdown begins, allow the configured alarm delay to finish to verify the alarm response.
Disarm the panel after the test.

For repeated tests, allow the sensor’s detection interval to pass before trying again. Follow the instructions for your sensor model.

If the sensor still does not trigger an alarm

Confirm that the correct motion sensor appears in the panel’s sensor list and is enabled.
Check its power switch and batteries.
Make sure its detection area is unobstructed.
Repeat the test with the panel closer to the sensor. If it works nearby but fails at its normal location, distance or obstacles may be affecting wireless communication.
If the panel records an alarm but no siren sounds, check the sensor’s Quietly Alarm setting and the panel’s Local Alarm and Siren Alarm settings.

If the issue continues, create a support ticket. Include photos of the sensor’s settings and the panel’s armed status, and tell us what happened during your test.