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Subject Author Date
Help diagnose Motion Detector light problem Lawrence M. Seldin, CMC, CPC 07-14-2007
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Posted by Joseph Meehan on July 15, 2007, 10:21 am
Lawrence M. Seldin, CMC, CPC wrote:
>> It sounds like the switch toggled between a photocell controlling
>> the lights or the motion detector controlling the lights. Whatever
>> device was controlling the lights when they stayed in the on
>> position went bad. The black wire of a motion detector is not a
>> ground, it gets connected to the feed hot wire, so you clearly wired
>> it incorrectly. At this point you should probably call back the
>> electrician to diagnose and repair the problem
>
>
> Guys,
>
> I shut the circuit breaker off for 30 minutes. When I turned it on,
> the motion sensor light stayed on. As you said, there is something
> wrong.
>
> I was hoping that a forum member could tell me the correct wiring of
> what color wires goes where
> to get the motion detector to behave the way it was working as. Also,
> to tell me, where to look for the problem.
>
> Here is the summary, of how the motion detector used to work and the
> way, I want it to work...
>
> 1) When the wall switch is in the down position, the lights are
> triggered when motion occurs and shuts off a few minutes later.
>
> 2) When the wall switch is in the up position, the lights stay on all
> the time at night.
>
>
> ********* begin *******
>
> Can someone explain how a wall switch affects how a motion sensor is
> working to produce the above way, I want it wired and the way it used
> to work?
>
> ********* end *********


First is that wall switch a single through single pole, in other words
is it a simple on off switch or something else and if else what else?



>
>
> So based on this, how do you think the wires should be "wired" and
> also where do you think the problem is occurring.
>
> I am trying not to use an electrician, if I just knew what to change
> or replace. Since I already swapped out the old motion detector for
> the new one, I know that the problem is not a faulty motion detector.
> The problem is something else.
>
> So you mentioned that the black from the motion detector is not a
> ground. If I put this on to the other black wires, should this fix
> the problem of that the lights always stay on and the motion is being
> bypassed?


Not all motion detectors are created equal. The work in different ways
and I suspect yours is not a simple motion detector and it has a computer
controlled system to change modes based on the switch, motion, and or light
detection.

>
>
>
> Thanks much,
>
>
> Lawrence M. Seldin, CMC, CPC
>
> Contributing writer for FUTURES Magazine
> Author of RECRUITSOURCE PEOPLESOFT EXAM and RECRUITSOURCE SAP/R3 EXAM
> Author of POWER TIPS FOR THE APPLE NEWTON and INTRODUCTION TO CSP
>
> NOTE: To send me an email, remove TAKEOUT from my email address:
> larryTAKEOUT@seldin.net
>
> NOTE: My web home page: www.seldin.net

--
Joseph Meehan

Dia 's Muire duit




Posted by RBM on July 15, 2007, 10:30 am
OK, based on your description, this is what you should have: In the junction
box where the motion detector resides, assuming the floodlights are at the
same location, there should be three wires entering the box, probably red,
white, and black. There should be three wires on the motion detector, also
red, white, and black. There should be two wires going to the floodlights,
white and black. Somewhere in the circuit is a photocell,which is a device
that keeps the lights on from dusk to dawn. Not knowing where in the circuit
it is located, I'm going to assume it is somewhere before the above
described junction box. In the junction box connect all white wires together
under a wire nut. Connect the black wire from the switch to the black wire
of the motion detector under a wire nut. Connect the red wire from the
switch to the red wire of the motion detector and the black wires going to
the flood lights under a wire nut. Connect any ground wires together and to
the box. This is of course assuming one wiring scenario. It would be much
better if you describe exactly the wires you see at the junction box
> >It sounds like the switch toggled between a photocell controlling the
> >lights
>>or the motion detector controlling the lights. Whatever device was
>>controlling the lights when they stayed in the on position went bad. The
>>black wire of a motion detector is not a ground, it gets connected to the
>>feed hot wire, so you clearly wired it incorrectly. At this point you
>>should
>>probably call back the electrician to diagnose and repair the problem
>
>
> Guys,
>
> I shut the circuit breaker off for 30 minutes. When I turned it on, the
> motion sensor light stayed
> on. As you said, there is something wrong.
>
> I was hoping that a forum member could tell me the correct wiring of what
> color wires goes where
> to get the motion detector to behave the way it was working as. Also, to
> tell me, where to look for
> the problem.
>
> Here is the summary, of how the motion detector used to work and the way,
> I want it to work...
>
> 1) When the wall switch is in the down position, the lights are triggered
> when motion occurs and
> shuts off a few minutes later.
>
> 2) When the wall switch is in the up position, the lights stay on all the
> time at night.
>
>
> ********* begin *******
>
> Can someone explain how a wall switch affects how a motion sensor is
> working to produce the above
> way, I want it wired and the way it used to work?
>
> ********* end *********
>
>
> So based on this, how do you think the wires should be "wired" and also
> where do you think the
> problem is occurring.
>
> I am trying not to use an electrician, if I just knew what to change or
> replace. Since I already
> swapped out the old motion detector for the new one, I know that the
> problem is not a faulty motion
> detector. The problem is something else.
>
> So you mentioned that the black from the motion detector is not a ground.
> If I put this on to the
> other black wires, should this fix the problem of that the lights always
> stay on and the motion is
> being bypassed?
>
>
>
> Thanks much,
>
>
> Lawrence M. Seldin, CMC, CPC
>
> Contributing writer for FUTURES Magazine
> Author of RECRUITSOURCE PEOPLESOFT EXAM and RECRUITSOURCE SAP/R3 EXAM
> Author of POWER TIPS FOR THE APPLE NEWTON and INTRODUCTION TO CSP
>
> NOTE: To send me an email, remove TAKEOUT from my email address:
> larryTAKEOUT@seldin.net
>
> NOTE: My web home page: www.seldin.net



Posted by Lawrence M. Seldin, CMC, CPC on July 16, 2007, 12:37 pm
RBM,

Thank you for your clear description. I am going to look at your specific
directions and see how it
goes. If I still have a problem, I will describe in more details the layout of
the wires. However,
your definition and directions seem easy to follow.

Thank you.

- Larry


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


>OK, based on your description, this is what you should have: In the junction
>box where the motion detector resides, assuming the floodlights are at the
>same location, there should be three wires entering the box, probably red,
>white, and black. There should be three wires on the motion detector, also
>red, white, and black. There should be two wires going to the floodlights,
>white and black. Somewhere in the circuit is a photocell,which is a device
>that keeps the lights on from dusk to dawn. Not knowing where in the circuit
>it is located, I'm going to assume it is somewhere before the above
>described junction box. In the junction box connect all white wires together
>under a wire nut. Connect the black wire from the switch to the black wire
>of the motion detector under a wire nut. Connect the red wire from the
>switch to the red wire of the motion detector and the black wires going to
>the flood lights under a wire nut. Connect any ground wires together and to
>the box. This is of course assuming one wiring scenario. It would be much
>better if you describe exactly the wires you see at the junction box
>> >It sounds like the switch toggled between a photocell controlling the
>> >lights
>>>or the motion detector controlling the lights. Whatever device was
>>>controlling the lights when they stayed in the on position went bad. The
>>>black wire of a motion detector is not a ground, it gets connected to the
>>>feed hot wire, so you clearly wired it incorrectly. At this point you
>>>should
>>>probably call back the electrician to diagnose and repair the problem
>>
>>
>> Guys,
>>
>> I shut the circuit breaker off for 30 minutes. When I turned it on, the
>> motion sensor light stayed
>> on. As you said, there is something wrong.
>>
>> I was hoping that a forum member could tell me the correct wiring of what
>> color wires goes where
>> to get the motion detector to behave the way it was working as. Also, to
>> tell me, where to look for
>> the problem.
>>
>> Here is the summary, of how the motion detector used to work and the way,
>> I want it to work...
>>
>> 1) When the wall switch is in the down position, the lights are triggered
>> when motion occurs and
>> shuts off a few minutes later.
>>
>> 2) When the wall switch is in the up position, the lights stay on all the
>> time at night.
>>
>>
>> ********* begin *******
>>
>> Can someone explain how a wall switch affects how a motion sensor is
>> working to produce the above
>> way, I want it wired and the way it used to work?
>>
>> ********* end *********
>>
>>
>> So based on this, how do you think the wires should be "wired" and also
>> where do you think the
>> problem is occurring.
>>
>> I am trying not to use an electrician, if I just knew what to change or
>> replace. Since I already
>> swapped out the old motion detector for the new one, I know that the
>> problem is not a faulty motion
>> detector. The problem is something else.
>>
>> So you mentioned that the black from the motion detector is not a ground.
>> If I put this on to the
>> other black wires, should this fix the problem of that the lights always
>> stay on and the motion is
>> being bypassed?
>>
>>
>>
>> Thanks much,
>>
>>
>> Lawrence M. Seldin, CMC, CPC
>>
>> Contributing writer for FUTURES Magazine
>> Author of RECRUITSOURCE PEOPLESOFT EXAM and RECRUITSOURCE SAP/R3 EXAM
>> Author of POWER TIPS FOR THE APPLE NEWTON and INTRODUCTION TO CSP
>>
>> NOTE: To send me an email, remove TAKEOUT from my email address:
>> larryTAKEOUT@seldin.net
>>
>> NOTE: My web home page: www.seldin.net
>

Lawrence M. Seldin, CMC, CPC

Contributing writer for FUTURES Magazine
Author of RECRUITSOURCE PEOPLESOFT EXAM and RECRUITSOURCE SAP/R3 EXAM
Author of POWER TIPS FOR THE APPLE NEWTON and INTRODUCTION TO CSP

NOTE: To send me an email, remove TAKEOUT from my email address:
larryTAKEOUT@seldin.net

NOTE: My web home page: www.seldin.net

Posted by Lawrence M. Seldin, CMC, CPC on July 29, 2007, 10:42 pm
RBM,

You gave me very clear directions on how to wire my motion detector. Your
directions were "right on
target". They were awesome.

Sorry did not get back to you sooner. I used my kids as helpers, so that they
could hold the fixture
while I was hooking it up. It went a lot smoother when I was able to concentrate
on your directions.


Worked like a charm.


Thank you, Thank you , Thank you...

I am one "happy puppy".


- Larry


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


>OK, based on your description, this is what you should have: In the junction
>box where the motion detector resides, assuming the floodlights are at the
>same location, there should be three wires entering the box, probably red,
>white, and black. There should be three wires on the motion detector, also
>red, white, and black. There should be two wires going to the floodlights,
>white and black. Somewhere in the circuit is a photocell,which is a device
>that keeps the lights on from dusk to dawn. Not knowing where in the circuit
>it is located, I'm going to assume it is somewhere before the above
>described junction box. In the junction box connect all white wires together
>under a wire nut. Connect the black wire from the switch to the black wire
>of the motion detector under a wire nut. Connect the red wire from the
>switch to the red wire of the motion detector and the black wires going to
>the flood lights under a wire nut. Connect any ground wires together and to
>the box. This is of course assuming one wiring scenario. It would be much
>better if you describe exactly the wires you see at the junction box
>> >It sounds like the switch toggled between a photocell controlling the
>> >lights
>>>or the motion detector controlling the lights. Whatever device was
>>>controlling the lights when they stayed in the on position went bad. The
>>>black wire of a motion detector is not a ground, it gets connected to the
>>>feed hot wire, so you clearly wired it incorrectly. At this point you
>>>should
>>>probably call back the electrician to diagnose and repair the problem
>>
>>
>> Guys,
>>
>> I shut the circuit breaker off for 30 minutes. When I turned it on, the
>> motion sensor light stayed
>> on. As you said, there is something wrong.
>>
>> I was hoping that a forum member could tell me the correct wiring of what
>> color wires goes where
>> to get the motion detector to behave the way it was working as. Also, to
>> tell me, where to look for
>> the problem.
>>
>> Here is the summary, of how the motion detector used to work and the way,
>> I want it to work...
>>
>> 1) When the wall switch is in the down position, the lights are triggered
>> when motion occurs and
>> shuts off a few minutes later.
>>
>> 2) When the wall switch is in the up position, the lights stay on all the
>> time at night.
>>
>>
>> ********* begin *******
>>
>> Can someone explain how a wall switch affects how a motion sensor is
>> working to produce the above
>> way, I want it wired and the way it used to work?
>>
>> ********* end *********
>>
>>
>> So based on this, how do you think the wires should be "wired" and also
>> where do you think the
>> problem is occurring.
>>
>> I am trying not to use an electrician, if I just knew what to change or
>> replace. Since I already
>> swapped out the old motion detector for the new one, I know that the
>> problem is not a faulty motion
>> detector. The problem is something else.
>>
>> So you mentioned that the black from the motion detector is not a ground.
>> If I put this on to the
>> other black wires, should this fix the problem of that the lights always
>> stay on and the motion is
>> being bypassed?
>>
>>
>>
>> Thanks much,
>>
>>
>> Lawrence M. Seldin, CMC, CPC
>>
>> Contributing writer for FUTURES Magazine
>> Author of RECRUITSOURCE PEOPLESOFT EXAM and RECRUITSOURCE SAP/R3 EXAM
>> Author of POWER TIPS FOR THE APPLE NEWTON and INTRODUCTION TO CSP
>>
>> NOTE: To send me an email, remove TAKEOUT from my email address:
>> larryTAKEOUT@seldin.net
>>
>> NOTE: My web home page: www.seldin.net
>

Lawrence M. Seldin, CMC, CPC

Contributing writer for FUTURES Magazine
Author of RECRUITSOURCE PEOPLESOFT EXAM and RECRUITSOURCE SAP/R3 EXAM
Author of POWER TIPS FOR THE APPLE NEWTON and INTRODUCTION TO CSP

NOTE: To send me an email, remove TAKEOUT from my email address:
larryTAKEOUT@seldin.net

NOTE: My web home page: www.seldin.net

Posted by Phisherman on July 16, 2007, 11:43 am
On Sun, 15 Jul 2007 00:21:04 GMT, "Lawrence M. Seldin, CMC, CPC"

>I have a motion detector light outside of my garage that was previously
installed by my electrician.
>Here is the way it worked. I had a wall switch connected inside the garage.
When the wall switch was
>in the down position (off), the motion detector would go on at night, when
movement occurred outside
>and then it would turn off after a few minutes.
>
>However, if the wall switch was up (in the on position), then the light on the
motion detector would
>stay on all night and go off in the morning.
>
>Recently, the light on the motion detector would stay on all night and stay on
all also during the
>day and never go off.
>
>So I bought a new motion detector and replaced the existing one.
>
>However, when I bought the new motion detector, the same problem occurs. The
light stays on during
>the day, so that means there was probably nothing wrong with the physical
motion detector, and I
>thought possiblye there is a problem with the wall switch or some wiring.
>
>When I swapped out the new motion detector I notice that there were 3 wires on
the motion detector
>(white, red and black). I notice that the wires coming out of the garage
outside where the motion
>detector was placed has wires (white, black and red).
>
>I was told from home depot, that the black on the motion detector is my ground.
So I grounded that
>wire. I then connected the 2 whites together and connected the motion detector
white and red to the
>wall white and red and also connected the black wall wire to the red wires.
>
>So where do you think the problem is occurring and how do I fix this?
>
>If it's the wall switch, what do I do. Do you I just by a new one?
>
>Thanks much,
>
>
>Lawrence M. Seldin, CMC, CPC
>
>Contributing writer for FUTURES Magazine
>Author of RECRUITSOURCE PEOPLESOFT EXAM and RECRUITSOURCE SAP/R3 EXAM
>Author of POWER TIPS FOR THE APPLE NEWTON and INTRODUCTION TO CSP
>
>NOTE: To send me an email, remove TAKEOUT from my email address:
larryTAKEOUT@seldin.net
>
>NOTE: My web home page: www.seldin.net


Typically:
A black or red (switched) wire is hot.
A white wire is neutral.
Green wire is ground.

Your wall switch, when wired to a regular lamp, should work as
expected: Switch in the up position: lamp on, Switch in the down
position: lamp off. If that is not the case your switch or wiring is
faulty.

Otherwise, your security lamp is improperly wired. The enclosed
pamphlet should provide a wiring diagram on how to connect the sensor,
lamps, and load wires. Your load wires are the hot and neutral, and
possibly a ground. Connect all ground wires together--these are green
or bare copper wires. Connect the box and/or lamp base to the ground
if these are metal.

You may need to "flash" the unit ON/OFF/ON to get it to set properly
(read the manual). You should be able to use the lamp normally by
just flipping the switch ON.

Safety: Whenever removing a cover plate to an electrical box
double-check the circuit is OFF, and ensure that nobody may turn on
the circuit! I know two people who died.

Page 2 of 3       < 1 2 3 > last >>
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