How to Wire a Motion Detector

Adding a Motion Detector to an Existing Light Fixture

• There is a variety of motion control devices available for you to choose from. My experience is that the less expensive fixtures do not perform very well.
• Motion detector heads are available for purchase separately and there is a variety of sensing configurations available.
• I especially like the performance of the 180 and 240 degree wide sensing patterns which perform well in wide areas.
• Dust to Dawn features enable safe and secure light at two light levels of brightness.
• Below is an outdoor lighting project where we added a motion detector head to an existing fixture.

Wiring a Motion Detector Head to an Existing Light Fixture

Here is an existing fixture that can have a motion detector head added to it to provide automatic sensor control during the night time. All wiring is done after identifying and turning the circuit off. Never work on energized wires.

This fixture base has a spare threaded opening where we can mount the motion detector head. If an opening was not available, another lamp holder base could be obtained that has an extra opening.

The motion detector head mounts into the lamp holder base which accepts the half-inch threaded fitting.

The Black Wire connects to the Black Wire entering the Fixture Box, also known as the hot wire.

The Red Wire connects to the Black wire of the lamp holders which house the flood lights.

The White Wire connects to the White wire of the White Wire entering the Fixture Box and the White Wire of the lamp holders which house the flood lights.

The light fixture has been fitted with a motion detector head enabling energy savings and automatic operation for safety and security.

The bottom of the motion detector head is where the settings need to be adjusted for optimal performance of your outdoor lighting fixture. See the explanations of these settings below.

The Range setting will allows you to adjust the sensitivity at different distances from the fixture.

The ON-TIME Switch Settings:
TEST , 1, 5, 20 Minute Settings

This feature allows for two levels of light to operate be activated during different times of the night.

This is the little area is the photo-cell, when it gets dark it activates the motion sensor circuit.