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Electrical Wire and Cable


How To Wire a Outdoor Sensor for a Security Light

How is the wiring connected for the motion sensor for a outdoor security light? Wiring a Outdoor Security Light Fixture: How to Replace an Outdoor Light with a Security Light, Typical Wiring Connections for a Security Light Sensor.


Electrical Video #1

Generator Automatic Transfer Switch
and Electric Circuit Sub Panel

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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!

Learn more about Home Electrical Wiring
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Basic Home Electrical Wiring by Example


Outdoor Security Light Fixtures
Electrical Question: How is the wiring connected for the motion sensor for a outdoor security light?

This electrical question came from: Roy, a Homeowner from Saratoga, New York.

Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical question Roy.

Wiring a Outdoor Security Light Fixture

Application: How to Wire a Outdoor Security Light Fixture.
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced. This electrical wiring project is best performed by a Licensed Electrical Contractor or Certified Electrician.
Tools Required: Basic Electricians Tool Pouch of Electrical Tools, and Voltage Tester, Fiberglass Ladder.
Estimated Time: Depends on personal level experience working with electrical wiring, the number of lights that will be replaced or installed and access to the light fixtures.
Precaution: Identify the lighting circuit or power source, turn it OFF and Tag it with a Note before working with the electrical wiring and light fixture connections.
Notice: Installing additional electrical wiring for outdoor lighting should be done according to local and national electrical codes with a permit and be inspected.

Typical Wiring Connections for a Security Light Sensor

How to Replace an Outdoor Light with a Security Light

Enjoy your security light!

See More about Installing Outdoor Light Fixtures

Wiring a Motion Detector Light Fixture
motion-fixture
How to Install Motion Detector Light Fixtures

Install Lighting in the Home

Electrical Codes for Lighting

Home Electrical Wire
electrical-wire
Electrical Wire for the Home


The following may also be helpful for you:

Electrical Video #2

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
Keep Watching So I Can Help You Wire it Right!

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

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.



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 Electric Wiring, Lighting, Motion Detector and Home Electrical Wiring:
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How Can I Discover What is Tripping Off my Circuit Breaker? Guidelines for Installing Telephone Wiring


FAQs Frequently Asked Questions and Comments

7 Responses to “How To Wire a Outdoor Sensor for a Security Light”
  1. Melissa says:

    How do you wire a bell/buzzer (like a doorbell) to a motion sensor light, so that if the light is activated then the bell is too (to alert you to someone on your property at night) ?

  2. Dave Rongey says:

    Hi Melissa,
    The easiest way to do this and have the flexibility to do even more is to obtain and install a motion fixture that is the X-10 type. X-10 is a technology that uses existing electrical wiring to transmit frequencies to other programmable devices. So an X-10 motion light could be set up to activate others X-10 devices which could then control a buzzer, or more lights.
    If you choose not to use X-10 devices then a motion detector could be wire so that it activates a relay, which could be used to switch a buzzer ON. The wiring, relay and components would be sized depending on the actual buzzer voltage that is used.
    This may help: Using Control Relays
    Be Safe!
    Dave

  3. harte says:

    I am replacing an old passive infrared movement sensor. I connect the live (red) and the neutral (blue) The third connection could be white, green, yellow or black. Which of these need to be connected as the wiring it connects to has these 6 wires.

  4. Frikkie says:

    I had a security light removed, want to place it on another wall. The guy loosened all the wires. Can I send you a picture to help me please?

  5. Dave Rongey says:

    Yes, Use the main Electrical Question form and submit your info and you can include the picture as well. I will take a look and see what you have.
    Dave

  6. Tom says:

    “How to wire a Outdoor Sensor for a Security Light”
    Dave, I have contacted you before concerning tis same topic. I am still stumbling about trying to wire two or more motion detectors to one or more lamps.
    I notice on the website where you advise that you CAN use one or more motion detectors to turn on and off 1 or more lamps by wiring a ‘control circuit’
    this seems to solve my problem if I am reading and understanding your advice correctly.
    Can I install the control circuit at each motion detector? Can you furnish the info I need to obtain, wire, and use the control circuit?
    Thanks So Much……
    Tom, Pensacola, Fl

  7. Dave Rongey says:

    Hi Tom,
    Yes, each motion detector can be wired to a relay, which in turn controls to power going to the light fixtures. This will isolate each motion detector from each other. I will be making a one-line wiring diagram which may help you. I will notify you when the diagram is up on the website.
    Be Safe,
    Dave