How To Install Motion Sensor Light? 7 Easy Steps

Notes on security of wiring motion sensor light

Image: Amazon

Apply for an electrical permit from the office in charge of such things. Make sure you comply with any peculiar regulations in your area and get your work examined afterward.

WARNING: 

Dangerous overhead electrical wires might kill you if your ladder or body touches them.

DISCRETION REQUIRED: 

Aluminum wire needs particular treatment. A licensed professional who is qualified to work with aluminum wire should be contacted. Rather than the dismal orange typically associated with copper, this wire is a dull gray.

Even though motion detector lights are simple to set up, each brand may have specific requirements, so be sure to consult the manual before beginning. All the essential details are listed on the package’s outside. You should check the product’s packaging before making a purchase. Inside the package, you’ll find further in-depth instructions.

Placement Guidelines for Outdoor Security Lights

Image: Amazon

Mounting motion-detecting lights six to ten feet from the ground and angled such that most motion will be detected over the detector’s sensitivity zone is ideal. The lights in this project are hardwired, so you’ll need to plan for where the wires and outlets will be located. Wireless alternatives are also on the table. Unlike solar or battery-powered lights, which rely on a constant supply of sunshine, hardwired lights can be counted on to always be on when needed.

1. Put a Stop to the Power

You should first turn off the main panel power to the fixture and then check the wires to make sure there is no current running through them.

To check if an electrical outlet is live, touch the grounding prong of a voltage tester to the wire, then touch the hot (black) and neutral (white) prongs (white).

If the tester glows in either scenario, the power is on. At the main panel, turn off the corresponding circuit.

2. Put it in a Bigger Container.

You may need to put in a new electrical box if the one you have now is too tiny. Cubic inch measurements are clearly marked on the side of plastic containers.

3. Install the New Light Switch

The motion detectors should be installed as per the manufacturer’s guidelines.

The rubber gasket can be used to route the wires.

Then, use wire connectors to join the neutral (white), hot (black), and ground (green or bare copper) wires.

4. Install the Lights

Image: Amazon

Install the fixture by screwing it into position. Make sure the rubber gasket completely seals the box’s seams to prevent any water from entering.

5. Adjust the Sensor Light Location.

Place the motion detection light bulb and the motion detector sensor in the area you’d like to monitor. (If false alarms become an issue, you may adjust the detector’s angle of view later.)

Direct the light where it needs to go. Make sure the light bulbs are far from the sensor.

6. Adjust the Settings

Change the range of the detector to anything you choose. This can be lowered at a later time if necessary to prevent unnecessary journeys. Make sure you program the automatic cutoff timer as well. Most appliances include an automatic cutoff feature that may be set for 1, 5, or 20 minutes.

7. Shrink Your Horizontal Perspective

If you need to restrict the security light sensor’s horizontal field of vision more than the settings will allow, you can do so by covering a section of the lens with plastic tape.

Advice on How to Install Motion Sensor Light Even Better

Image: Amazon

Outdoor electrical boxes require watertight covers. Make sure the rubber gasket is completely sealed. Caulk it, too, if you’re going to put it up against a rough surface.

The detectors and light sockets are susceptible to damage from water intrusion. You may avoid this problem by placing the fixture under an overhang, buying one with bulb seals, or angling the bulbs down so that water doesn’t run into the socket.

The light bulb’s own heat might throw off the detector. Distance between the light source and the detector should be maximized. Make sure that regular passing traffic, pools of water, air conditioners, heating vents, animals, and wind-blown trees and bushes don’t set off your motion detector by adjusting the field of vision angle and setting the distance range.

FAQs

Is installing motion detector lights difficult?

Even though motion detector lights are simple to set up, each brand may have specific requirements, so be sure to consult the manual before beginning. All of the essentials are listed on the box’s outside. You should check the product’s packaging before making a purchase. Inside the package, you’ll find additional, comprehensive instructions.

Does wiring need to be done for motion sensor lights?

Hardwired, battery-operated, and solar-powered motion sensor light fixtures are also available. Battery-operated and solar-powered lights eliminate the need for close proximity to an electricity socket.

Does putting up a motion sensor light necessitate the services of an electrician?

You may play around with the sensitivity of the sensor light by adjusting the lighting level. We can advise you on the optimal configuration for installation, and you may always make adjustments thereafter without calling an electrician.

Final Say

And that concludes the topic of installing a motion sensor light. Check out our suggested motion sensor models if you’re in the market for a brand-new one.