
				Home Lighting

Outdoor Security Lighting

Kitchen Lighting

Types of Lighting

Lighting Fixtures

Fluorescent Lighting

Lighting Covered Stairs

Outdoor Stairway Lighting

by Dave Rongey ©2007-2012
Summary: Covered stairways are an access point for many homes and adequate lighting is essential to provide safety and security in these areas.

Home Lighting: Adding Lighting and Motion Sensors to the Covered Stairway

This project involves lighting this beautifully covered stairway access and to control the lighting with motion activated sensors, also known as motion sensors or motion detectors.

The scope of this project is to determine the options to provide the necessary electrical wiring that will provide protection for the wiring and be weather proof as well.

The correct selection of the motion sensors and the location where to install them will be tricky due to two different access points and the angles of the stairs.

	Exterior lighting would provide safety and security for this beautiful stairway access. The addition of lighting over the landing areas with two fixtures spaced out over each flight of stairs should be sufficient. Vandal-Resistant Vapor Jar fixtures would be a great choice.
	Exposed metal conduit would be installed and fastened to the 2 x 6 ridge support where the weather proof fixtures would be installed also.
	Motion Sensors would be installed in the upper area of each corner and entry for automatic operation.
	Optional outdoor rated Rope Lighting could be installed along the outside stair supports. Snow drifts may cover these lights but eventually melt away.
	An additional fixture may be mounted on the face of the lower stairway entry. This light could be independently controlled by a motion detector flood light style fixture or controlled by an separate switch at this location.
	An additional fixture may be mounted on the face of this upper stairway location. This light could be independently controlled by a motion detector flood light style fixture or controlled by an separate switch at this location also.

Wiring for an Outdoor Lighting Project

We put up a steel shed 20 x 30. The wiring from the house to the shed and the electric panel were put in. It then took 2 electricians over 5 hours to install 4 lights (2 outside and 2 inside) and 2 plugs. Is this normal?

Dave's Reply:
You have not provided enough information about this project so it will be very difficult to even guess how long this project should take, however there are several factors involved with every project including accessibility to install the electrical wiring and all of the necessary components. I would also highly recommend contracting with an electrical contractor who has a very good reputation with others whom you may contact for reference.