ask the electrician
Electrician Training Electrical Certification wiring recessed light fixtures Electrical Wiring Electrical Troubleshooting and Electrical Repairs wire outdoor light fixture Home Electrical Wiring Diagrams
wiring home generator and transfer switch wiring a 220 volt range cord outlet Wiring for GFCI Outlets Wiring Outlets and a Switched Outlet Wiring and Installing Ceiling Fans and Remote Controls wire dimmer switch wiring diagrams for switches wiring a dryer cord and 220 outlet circuit breaker panel
Electrical Wire and Cable


How To Adjust Outdoor Flood Light Settings

How to Change the Settings for a Motion Detector Light: The Flood Light Time Duration Switch Settings.


Home Electrical Wiring Video

How to Wire a GFCI Outlet
without a Ground Wire

Check out my YouTube Channel and Subscribe to my Videos
» AskTheElectrician «

NOTE: A List of All my Helpful Videos
Will Display at the End of This Video
So Keep Watching So I Can Help You Wire it Right!

Adjusting Flood Lights for the Best Performance
[ad#block]Outdoor Lighting Question: My outdoor flood light that is attached to the garage keep going off and on.

Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your Lighting Question Sarah.
Background: Sarah, a Homeowner from Ann Arbor, Michigan.

How to Change the Settings for a Motion Detector Light

Sarah, the settings on your motion detector head may be set in the TEST position.
To solve this problem set the switch to on of the number or time delay settings.

Security Light Motion Detector Flood Light Settings

Outdoor Flood Light Motion Detector Settings

wiring-outdoor-lighting

Motion Detector Settings

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

motion-detector-on-time-setting

The Flood Light  On Time Switch Settings


More about Security Lighting and Motion Detectors

Motion Detector Wiring
motion-fixture

Installing Motion Detector and Security Light Fixtures

Installing motion detector lighting fixtures provide security and energy savings and they can easily replace an existing exterior wall fixture.


The following may also be helpful for you:

Dave's Guide to Home Electrical Wiring:

» You Can Avoid Costly Mistakes! «

Here's How to Do It:
Wire It Right with the help of my Illustrated Wiring Book

Great for any Home Wiring Project.
  electrical wiring  

Complete Guide to Home Electrical Wiring

Perfect for Homeowners, Students,
Handyman, Handy Women, and Electricians
Includes:
Wiring GFCI Outlets
Wiring Home Electric Circuits
120 Volt and 240 Volt Outlet Circuits
Wiring Light Switches
Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Electric Range
Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Dryer Cord and Dryer Outlet
How to Troubleshoot and Repair Electrical Wiring
Wiring Methods for Upgrading Electrical Wiring
NEC Codes for Home Electrical Wiring
....and much more.


Learn more about Home Electrical Wiring
with my Online Video Course:
Basic Home Electrical Wiring by Example


Be Careful and Be Safe - Never Work on Energized Circuits!
Consult your Local Building Department about Permits and Inspections for all Electric Wiring Projects.

Electrical Tips to Help You Wire it Right

The Safest Way to Test Electrical Devices and Identify Electric Wires!

The Non-Contact Electrical Tester
This is a testing tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and is the first test tool I grab to help identify electrical wiring. It is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use.

The Quickest Way to Check for Faulty Electrical Wiring!

The Plug-In Outlet Tester
This is the first tool I grab to troubleshoot a problem with outlet circuit wiring. This popular tester is also used by most inspectors to test for power and check the polarity of circuit wiring.
It detects probable improper wiring conditions in standard 110-125 VAC outlets Provides 6 probable wiring conditions that are quick and easy to read for ultimate efficiency Lights indicate if wiring is correct and indicator light chart is included Tests standard 3-wire outlets UL Listed Light indicates if wiring is incorrect Very handy and easy to use.

Strip Off Wire Insulation without Nicking and Damaging the Electric Wire!

The Wire Stripper and Wire Cutter
My absolute favorite wire stripping tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and this is the tool I use to safely strip electrical wires.
This handy tool has multiple uses:
The wire gauges are shown on the side of the tool so you know which slot to use for stripping insulation.
The end of the tool can be used to grip and bend wire which is handy for attaching wire onto the screw terminals of switches and outlets..

The wire stripper will work on both solid and stranded wire. This tool is Very Handy and Easy to Use.


More articles about Motion Detector Settings, Security Light and Home Electrical Wiring:
« Previous Next »
Dangers of Warm Electrical Outlets and Aluminum Wiring Older Home Electrical Wiring Problems


FAQs Frequently Asked Questions and Comments

4 Responses to “How To Adjust Outdoor Flood Light Settings”
  1. Bob carlson says:

    Dave, Somehow both my motion detector spots now longer have the red detector light on. Both liters turn off and on fine. How do I reset the detector portion. Thanks, Bobw4D9

  2. Dave Rongey says:

    Hi Bob,
    Manual Override Operation for a Motion Detector
    Some motion detectors have an override feature when they are controlled by a switch. For example: The controlling switch can be switched off, wait about six seconds, then turn the switch back on, which will place the lights into a manually on mode. To return the motion lights back into the automatic mode the controlling switch is again turned off, wait six seconds, then turn the switch back on again.
    Sensitivity Settings of a Motion Detector
    If the manual override feature does not work, then check the sensitivity settings on the motion detector head by adjusting the sensitivity dial located on the bottom of the detector head.
    I hope this helps,
    Dave

  3. lisa says:

    I have a light will not go off even when I adjust the minutes setting.

  4. Dave Rongey says:

    Hi Lisa,
    Check the sensitivity setting as well, and make sure the light fixture is not in the Manual Override Mode.
    The manual override mode is typically activated by turning the controlling switch off, and back on after a brief delay of a few seconds.
    I hope this helps,
    Dave