For example, if you have two fixtures, each rated to hold a 100-watt bulb, the sensor must be rated to handle at least 200 watts. There are some limitations to this system, though. Twist the two white wires together in the same fashion. Then, after a few minutes where no movement has been detected, the lights will then automatically shut themselves off. There are 16 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Two additional connection terminals are needed at the switch - one for earth, one for neutral. We show the simplest method here: drawing power from a switch box and running cables to the sensor and then light fixtures (Figure B). The actual light is separate and already connected. Be sure to buy cable that’s the same gauge as the existing cable. So today, we will discuss how to wire a motion sensor light red wire which is an essential part of installing motion sensor lights outside. When you’ve created a path for the cable, run the cable from box to box and then fasten the cable to framing with plastic staples. Motion detector lights turn on when the sensor detects movement, making it a great option for both safety and having light when you need to walk outdoors after dark. Drill 5/8-in. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. A remote sensor automatically lights up dark sidewalks and yards. Variety of motion sensor light wiring diagram. Power-saving compact fluorescent (CF) light bulbs designed for outdoor use are becoming more popular and economical. Battery- and solar-powered motion sensor lights are a great option if you want to place the light away from an existing light fixture. In this story, we'll show you how to install a remote motion detector to your outside lights. The three Neutral wires are connected together i… The shortest route isn’t always the best. With over 30 years of experience, Mike specializes in sustainable landscape practices. Avoid a path that will force you to drill holes in tight spots or through heavy framing members. It should. But cable and connection details will vary a bit. Have a helper outside position the box while you fasten it. Learn how to change the EXTERIOR FLOOD LIGHT WITH MOTION SENSOR. Mike Garcia. Avoid last-minute shopping trips by having all your materials ready ahead of time. Replacing a fixture is easy. Cover the bare copper wires with a wire nut. Wireless motion sensor lights A wireless sensor works like the remote control for a garage door opener. This article was co-authored by Mike Garcia. Last Updated: December 1, 2020 A motion sensor light switch will automatically detect when someone enters the room and turn on the lights. A regular outdoor light illuminates the area for you, but it doesn't offer the benefits of a motion sensor light. Hold the box against the wall and trace around it with a pencil. Built-in sensors Some outdoor fixtures have a built-in sensor. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Replacing your existing yard lights with ones that contains motion sensors will not only enhance security but provide needed illumination automatically when you come home at night. If there is current, then the light fixture is bad. The bare wire from your house should loop around the green screw on your mounting bracket and then attach to the green wire. If you have a porch light installed already, there is an attachment available that will add a motion sensor to the existing light. starter hole through the wall and then cut out the circle with a jigsaw. Always start by attaching ground wires. This article was co-authored by Mike Garcia. References. If the breaker is good and the wire doesn't have current, you could have faulty wires that need to be replaced. A motion sensor light offers peace of mind and safety when it lights up a dark driveway, sidewalk or yard. This article will show you how to install and connect a remote sensor to new or existing lights. If there’s a specific corner you want the sensor to stop reacting to—such as a dog’s dog run beside the house—you can place a small piece of electrical tape on that corner of the sensor to stop it from receiving the data. 7 Savvy Answers to Common Questions About Smart Light Switches, Wireless Electrical Switch: Battery-Free, Finger Powered Switch, How to Replace a Well Pump Pressure Switch, Prevent Mold with the DewStop Bathroom Fan Switch, Check the Wattage Before You Install a Dimmer Switch, We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer), “replacement” sensors for floodlight fixtures, Vintage Family Handyman Feature from 1987: Landline Phone Installation, Do Not Sell My Personal Information – CA Residents. But in many cases, this project is only practical where you have open studs, as in an unfinished garage (as we show), or during a major remodeling project. By using our site, you agree to our. Running the cable to a fixture and then to a sensor is the best choice if a light fixture is close to the switch. Manufacturers connect motion detectors to lights in a variety of ways, as we illustrate in Fig. B. Before you buy a replacement sensor, add up the wattage ratings on the fixtures it will control. Before you start, turn the power off in your circuit box so you don’t risk shocking yourself. The lighting circuit that powers these luminaires can be fitted with a twilight sensor with an additional motion sensor so that the light only comes on when it … Bring the light fixture up to the junction box. Strip off 12 in. Mike has appeared on Extreme Home Makeover, HGTV's Landscapers Challenge, and A & E's series Fix That Yard. [1] X Research source Never start installing a light sensor or performing other electrical work without shutting off the power first. In rare situations, the radio signal can’t reach the receiver because of interference or blockage. of each box and no more than 4 ft. 6 in. Twilight Sensor and Motion Sensor . With other sensors, you have to check the wattage rating in the specifications. If a light fixture is closer to the switch, the method shown in Figure C is probably best. Outdoor security lights are a great safety feature for your home, but flood lights that are constantly on can consume a lot of energy. With all the connections complete, turn on the power and set the sensor to “test” mode so you can make sure the system works correctly. Boxes have to be a certain minimum size to contain the wires. The wiring is a little more complicated than it is for most electrical projects, but even a novice can handle it by following the wiring diagrams we provide. These access holes usually have a cap that can be unscrewed. masonry bit to drill a series of holes all around the circle. Avoid placing the box directly on a stud or other framing. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. A wiring diagram is a simplified conventional pictorial depiction of an electrical circuit. A gangly-looking motion detector floodlight is fine for scaring off a backyard intruder, but it doesn’t look good on your house. Cover with a plastic wire nut. They’re not designed to control other light fixtures and are available in a limited range of styles. If you have wide lap siding made from wood, cement board or hardboard, cut your hole near the center of a board so you can mount the fixture on the flat surface. Turn off the power to the circuit you will be working on. Mike is a past president of the CLCA and currently serves on their local Board of Directors. Choosing a location for your motion sensor isn’t complicated: Check the manufacturer’s directions for viewing range and place it where it can “see” visitors or intruders as they approach your house. Our step-by-step photos and tips from our experts provide a … The sensor and each light fixture require electrical boxes installed in the wall. The other cable 'light' is connected to the light fitting. On the plus side, both of these options will still work during a power outage. 3) Splice the sensor red wire to the light black wire. These decorative lamps operate like floodlight motion detectors but are more stylish. This electrical wiring question came from: Chris, a Homeowner from Aubrey, Texas. Your system must have a switch that can turn off the power to the sensor and light fixtures. Gently push the wires back into the box. Apply for an electrical permit at the local inspections department so an inspector can check your work. The sensor we used can be mounted on a round or rectangular box. Motion sensor lights are usually used in the outdoors to detect movement around your yard. How to Install Exterior Motion Sensor Li... How to Install Exterior Motion Sensor Lights. Have the necessary tools for this DIY project lined up before you start—you’ll save time and frustration. The cable marked Supply is connected to the consumer unit or some other source of power such as a fused connection unit or plug. Home centers and hardware stores carry motion sensors ($20) that look like the ones you see mounted on floodlights. Then break out the middle with a chisel (Photo 1). Fortunately, installing a motion sensor light is a relatively simple process. DIYNetwork.com electrical expert James young shows how to easily install a motion-sensor light switch. Occasionally, especially on older homes, the hot wire may be a color other than black or red such as yellow. No wiring is necessary to control existing lights. If your sensor will be placed close to the switch, the method shown in Figure B is probably best for you. Hang fixtures on a leftover piece of wire while you make connections. If you want to be able to override the motion sensor and turn the light on with the light switch, you would not connect the “switched hot” wire from the switch to power the motion sensor. Place a strip of the electrical tape over the breaker that controls the circuit. To learn how to adjust your motion sensor light, read on! On stucco, you’ll have to cut the exposed metal mesh with snips. Once you’ve determined how you’ll wire the system, run the electrical cable between the junction boxes (Photos 3 and 4). Simply choose the method that will make running cable easier. Adjust the sensitivity and “on-time” of the sensor according to the manufacturer’s instructions. We recommend our users to update the browser. With one wrong connection, your system won’t work. To learn how to adjust your motion sensor light, read on! A motion sensor is really just a switch and you generally wire it only into the hot leg of the circuit, not the neutral. You can connect it to any type of decorative fixture—even existing ones—and mount it discreetly off to the side. It reveals the elements of the circuit as streamlined shapes, and also the power and also signal connections between the tools. The motion sensor came with directions and wiring diagrams (I know because i used to sell them and have installed many.) The best way to wire the premises is by ensuring that installation of the motion sensor lights beneath the roof of your home is properly done, and this should be done for each corner as well. On the cable’s plastic sheathing you’ll find one of these numbers: 14/2, 14/3, 12/2 or 12/3. This is why it works well as a DIY project. box is adequate for all the wiring configurations we show here. These can be screw terminals or other types such as Wago connectors. Fasten the cable to framing with plastic cable staples. Electrical shock can occur if the power is not off. The three Earth wires are connected together in a terminal block. Typically, the sensor will detect motion best if you place it 6 to 10 ft. above ground level. When all the cable is in place, you can connect the sensor and the fixtures (Photo 5). Mike has appeared on Extreme Home Makeover, HGTV's Landscapers Challenge, and A & E's series Fix That Yard. I would like to use a motion sensor to control a Fan. A motion sensor light switch is a great way of saving energy and helping out the planet by making your home greener and more energy-efficient. Just screw the receiver into a light socket and mount the sensor anywhere you like. If you have vinyl siding or siding courses that are too narrow to provide a flat mounting surface, you’ll need a mounting block that fits over lapped edges. holes in the center of the wall framing to create a path for cable. First, look at the existing cable you’ll use to power the sensor and lights. The second lists the number of wires in the cable (plus the bare ground wire). You can test it by placing the tape and walking beside it to see where the sensor’s field of vision picks back up and adjust accordingly. With over 30 years of experience, Mike specializes in sustainable landscape practices. % of people told us that this article helped them. No wiring is necessary to control existing lights. The screw at the tip of the bit makes for faster drilling with much less strain. Installing an outdoor motion sensor light can help you feel safer at home, and the process just requires connecting the wires and screwing the bulb and fixture into place. Flip the breaker that supplies electricity to the room where you plan to install the light switch sensor. Avoid mounting directly above heat sources or exposed to direct sunlight. Floodlights are the most versatile and cast the most light. If you have a single light, just eliminate the wiring that feeds the second fixture. Plastic blocks are available at home centers. Position detectors and lights to cover approaches to your house, commonly used areas and dark, shadowy pans of your yard. A remote-style motion detector is a better choice. Here’s a list. Wiring a Motion Detector Head to an Existing Light Fixture Here is an existing fixture that can have a motion detector head added to it to provide automatic sensor control during the night time. The sensor and each light fixture require electrical boxes set into the wall (Figure A).You can rewire boxes at existing fixtures as well. Motion sensor lights light the way when you return home in the dark and also discourage potential intruders. To be doubly safe, have a wire tester handy and test the wires connected to the old light to ensure no power is running to them before you actually touch them. Voila! There will be a small colored screw inside the light fixture near where the other two wires exit the casing. Start by mounting the adjustable crosspiece from the light package to your electrical box. But take your time. Unfortunately, most motion sensors aren’t designed to handle CFs. But if you have lots of drilling to do, buy an auger bit. It’s very similar to the USB Power Adapter included with the Kuna Toucan, only without the added benefit of a security camera device. Finally, the shade or globe on your light fixture has to be large enough to hold the receiver along with a light bulb. If the interior walls are unfinished, buy boxes mounted on an adjustable bar (Photo 2). Test the lights in the room to make sure they are really cut off from power. It sends a radio signal to a receiver that switches on a light. Once it’s screwed in, place the rubber gasket around the outside edge of the new fixture. Then run the cable between the junction boxes. 20 November 2020. Here's how to install one, along with tips to prevent it from coming on when you don't want it to. He is one of eight Internationally Certified Pond Builders in the world. Can I wire two motion sensor lights to the same switch and have them come on independently? It's handy because it turns on when anyone … To connect the wiring, use wire caps to connect the wires of the same color. If the wall is enclosed, use “remodeling” boxes, which clamp to the siding and wall sheathing and fish in the cable. Mike Garcia is a Licensed Landscape Contractor and the Founder of Enviroscape LA, a full-service landscape design and construction firm in Los Angeles, California. Step 1 Remove the cover to the outdoor light. Install new light bulbs and turn the power back on. If you plan to follow Figure C, you’ll need some cable that contains two wires and some that contains three wires. I’m connecting a 4-wire cable to an outdoor sensor for a security light. Depending on the type of light, you might need a screwdriver to remove the cover. Use the directions. Wireless motion sensor lights A wireless sensor works like the remote control for a garage door opener. Twist the two wires together clockwise and then twist a wire nut over the ends. By the DIY experts of The Family Handyman Magazine. Installing Motion Detector Sensors for Outdoor Lighting Electrical Question: Does anyone make a recessed can light for outdoor use that has a motion sensor? To provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free, installing motion! Fixture near where the other cable 'light ' is connected to the manufacturer ’ s instructions shut off power... 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