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 Control Litter Box Odors Automatically

How to Install a Automatic Exhaust Fan for a Litter Box – Smart Idea for Cats or Dogs – For best performance there should be a source of fresh air in order to provide optimal air exchange and displacement. Just to be safe, it may be good if the electrical wiring power source was a circuit that is protected by GFCI or AFCI.


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!

Litter Box Area Occupancy Sensor Activated Exhaust Fan

[ad#block]Electrical Question: I want to have a motion sensor installed as part of an exhaust fan installation for a closet that houses cat litter or kitty litter boxes.

Three questions about this Cat Little Box Project:

  1. Does this sound doable and workable
  2. What motion sensor do you recommend for an exhaust fan
  3. How would you wire for it

Thanks very much.

This electrical wiring question came from: Jackie, a Homeowner from

Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical wiring question Jackie.
Jackie, yes this sensor activated exhaust fan for odor control sounds entirely possible. One great thing about electricity is that there are so many sensors and devices available that creating something such as this is possible with just a little imagination.

How To Install an Automated Litter Box Odor Control System

Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced.
Tools Required: Basic Electricians Pouch Hand Tools and a Voltage Tester.
Estimated Time: Depends on personal level experience, ability to work with tools and install electrical circuit wiring.
Notice: Installing additional electrical circuit wiring should be done with a permit and be inspected.

  1. Select an occupancy  sensor or motion detector that will detect the size of your cat.
  2. Positioning the motion sensor will be the next key factor in order for the cat to be detected.
  3. Adjustments for the number of minutes the unit will be activated on and the fine tuning for sensitivity can be easily made.
  4.  Wiring the exhaust fan to the motion or occupancy sensor is pretty straight forward because it is very similar to wiring an ordinary light fixture, however understanding that only the sensor would be used as incandescent lighting has strict code limitations in a closet area.
  5. A power source will be required at the electrical box of the sensor then a cable up to the exhaust fan location.
  6. The size and placement of the exhaust fan will be crucial for maximum benefit.
  7. If for some reason the occupancy sensor does not perform well enough then a programmable time switch may be installed instead.
  8. For best performance there should be a source of fresh air in order to provide optimal air exchange and displacement.
  9. Just to be safe, it may be good if the electrical wiring power source was a circuit that is protected by GFCI or AFCI.

The Following resources will assist you with your electrical question:

Bath Exhaust Fan

Motion Detector Wiring
motion-fixture
Installing Motion Detector Light Fixtures
Installing motion detector lighting fixtures provide security and energy savings and they can easily replace an existing exterior wall fixture.

wiring bath exhaust fans
install-bath-exhaust-fan
Installing Your Bath Exhaust Fan
Answers to all of your questions about installing a bath exhaust fan and your bathroom exhaust fan replacement project.


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 Electrical Wiring, Kitty Litter Box Odor Control and Home Electrical Wiring:
« Previous Next »
Why A Bathroom Light May Not Be Working How To Wire A Pilot Light Switch