replace motion sensor with dimmer switch?

Posted by czarklee on July 15, 2008, 2:38 am

Hi, I have a motion sensor switch in my new bathroom. It's all up to code
and
inspected, but I need a dimmer switch in my bathroom, not a motion sensor
switch.
When I went to replace the motion sensor switch I was surprised to find 4
wires
(not 3) going to the switch: black (hot), white (neutral), ground and
something
labeled "load". My dimmer switch only has connections for the first three
wires.
What do I do with the wire labeled "load"? BTW, this is the only switch
for the
bathroom light. Thanks for any help you can provide.

Steve

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Posted by on July 15, 2008, 3:45 am

On Jul 15, 2:38=A0am, czarklee_at_sbcglobal_dot_...@foo.com (czarklee)
wrote:

> Hi, I have a motion sensor switch in my new bathroom. =A0It's all up to c=

ode

> and
> inspected, but I need a dimmer switch in my bathroom, not a motion sensor
> switch. =A0
> When I went to replace the motion sensor switch I was surprised to find 4
> wires
> (not 3) going to the switch: black (hot), white (neutral), ground and
> something
> labeled "load". =A0My dimmer switch only has connections for the first th=

ree

> wires. =A0
> What do I do with the wire labeled "load"? =A0BTW, this is the only switc=

> for the
> bathroom light. =A0Thanks for any help you can provide.
> Steve
> -------------------------------------
> ##-----------------------------------------------##
> Delivered via =A0http://www.thestuccocompany.com/
> Building Construction and Maintenance Forum
> Web and RSS access to your favorite newsgroup -
> alt.home.repair - 301745 messages and counting!
> ##-----------------------------------------------##

Not sure exactly what kind of motion sensor you have. It sounds like
its one where it's just a self contained unit that replaces a switch?

In any case, a motion sensor needs power itself, hence that's why in
addition to the hot, the neutral is run to it. The load terminal
goes to the controlled device, in this case your light. To replace
it, the simple switch should go between hot and the wire that was
connected to the load. The neutral that was connected to the motion
sensor you can just cap off or remove if it's coming from a pigtail,
etc.

Posted by buffalobill on July 15, 2008, 4:06 am

On Jul 15, 2:38 am, czarklee_at_sbcglobal_dot_...@foo.com (czarklee)
wrote:

> Hi, I have a motion sensor switch in my new bathroom. It's all up to code
> and
> inspected, but I need a dimmer switch in my bathroom, not a motion sensor
> switch.
> When I went to replace the motion sensor switch I was surprised to find 4
> wires
> (not 3) going to the switch: black (hot), white (neutral), ground and
> something
> labeled "load". My dimmer switch only has connections for the first three
> wires.
> What do I do with the wire labeled "load"? BTW, this is the only switch
> for the
> bathroom light. Thanks for any help you can provide.
> Steve
> -------------------------------------
> ##-----------------------------------------------##
> Delivered via http://www.thestuccocompany.com/
> Building Construction and Maintenance Forum
> Web and RSS access to your favorite newsgroup -
> alt.home.repair - 301745 messages and counting!
> ##-----------------------------------------------##

load is probably dimmed hot going to the bulb.
but before you get too far, is that an occupancy [motion] sensor that
helps run the light and/or heat and/or exhaust fan?
(also some light bulbs types are not to be used with a dimmer.)

Posted by CL \"dnoyeB\" Gilbert on July 15, 2008, 6:52 am

czarklee wrote:

> Hi, I have a motion sensor switch in my new bathroom. It's all up to code
> and
> inspected, but I need a dimmer switch in my bathroom, not a motion sensor
> switch.
> When I went to replace the motion sensor switch I was surprised to find 4
> wires
> (not 3) going to the switch: black (hot), white (neutral), ground and
> something
> labeled "load". My dimmer switch only has connections for the first three
> wires.
> What do I do with the wire labeled "load"? BTW, this is the only switch
> for the
> bathroom light. Thanks for any help you can provide.
>
> Steve
>
> -------------------------------------
>
>
>
>
>
> ##-----------------------------------------------##
> Delivered via http://www.thestuccocompany.com/
> Building Construction and Maintenance Forum
> Web and RSS access to your favorite newsgroup -
> alt.home.repair - 301745 messages and counting!
> ##-----------------------------------------------##

I' guessing you have a GFCI in the bathroom. Someone must have thought it a
good idea to wire the light into it.

CL

Posted by franz fripplfrappl on July 15, 2008, 8:42 am

On Tue, 15 Jul 2008 06:38:02 +0000, czarklee wrote:

> Hi, I have a motion sensor switch in my new bathroom. It's all up to
> code and
> inspected, but I need a dimmer switch in my bathroom, not a motion
> sensor switch.
> When I went to replace the motion sensor switch I was surprised to find
> 4 wires
> (not 3) going to the switch: black (hot), white (neutral), ground and
> something
> labeled "load". My dimmer switch only has connections for the first
> three wires.
> What do I do with the wire labeled "load"? BTW, this is the only switch
> for the
> bathroom light. Thanks for any help you can provide.
>
> Steve
>
> -------------------------------------
>
>
>
>
>
> ##-----------------------------------------------## Delivered via
> http://www.thestuccocompany.com/ Building Construction and Maintenance
> Forum Web and RSS access to your favorite newsgroup - alt.home.repair -
> 301745 messages and counting!
> ##-----------------------------------------------##

If you are able, establish which wires are neutral and hot and which go
to the light fixture. Put your dimmer switch between the hot wire and
light. Ground your switch, if it has a ground wire. Wire nut and tape
all the wires you aren't using.

--

=================================================
Franz Fripplfrappl

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