 |
Installing a Motion Detector Light FixtureYesterday went out to back porch light, to change the burned out bug light bulb (yellow) from regular outside porch light located under the eves. Ok when undoing the bulb the socket broke apart. I went in threw the breaker off. Had a new outside flood light fixture was going to replace the old fixture with. it has a motion sensor on it. When I made sure of the power was off to switch and light, I undone the light from the junction box. I had to also clean out the spider webs and mud dopers. (BUGS). After all that, I pulled out the wires, the first thing I saw was the Romex, no ground hook up or grounded to anything. (In which I have seen this in other boxes. Here Is where I need help. Ok the black wire in which I take to be the hot was hooked to the white wire, I thought was the neutral of the old light fixture. ( Ok this white wire looks like it may have been painted or coated over to also be black, for with age the black wore off showing the white coating). I kind off think the white wire may been painted,this maybe from when someone painted the light fixture black? With an orange wire nut. Then the white neutral wire from the junction box was hooked to the black wire from the light fixture with a red wire nut. Ok with the new light fixture I hooked the white wires together with wire nut an then used electrical tape over wire and wire nut. Then I hooked the two black wires together, in the same matter,as the white wires. Also I then took the ground wire from the Romex wire in junction box and the ground wire from the light fixture ,first I wrapped the ground wire from the light to the ground screw (green) located on the new crossbar that I also replaced onto the junction box. Then I finished hooking the grounds together with wire nut. Before I mounted the fixture to the wall I turned the breaker back on, turn switch on, took a tester to hot check wires, the black tested hot. Ok the light didn't come on. The motion sensor kept the light from turning on. So I put a wire nut and tape over the sensor, this turned the light on. So being this all worked, I put the rest of the light together. l then waited to it to get dark, turned the switch on. Nothing happen. So could it be something with the sensor? Thank You. Chuck. |
Outdoor Motion Fixtures
 |
Summary: Installing motion detector lighting fixtures provide security and energy savings and they can easily replace an existing exterior wall fixture. |
Motion Detector Fixtures can replace most existing outside wall fixtures. |
Installing a Motion Detector Fixture
Motion Detector Fixture Installation |
|
A penetration through the siding was made for the installation of a new fixture |
Feeding the romex wire to the outside I'm ready to mount the fixture box. |
The fixture box is a 4" round weather proof surface mounted type, |
|
Mounting the fixture box in place with wood screws provides a secure attachment. |
The wiring was straight forward - black to black , white to white and green the bonded ground. |
Two double flood lights will provide plenty of light in this outside yard area.
|
|
| The positioning of the motion sensor head should be adjusted to the area to be lit with the light. This is usually done while the motion head switch is in the "TEST" position for best results, then switch back. | Most motion detectors have sensitivity adjustments and time-on duration settings you will want to set to your requirements. |
| <<- How to Install a Motion Detector Head to a Fixture | Outdoor Stairway Lighting->> |
| Installing Motion Detector Light Fixtures Top of Page - |
