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


Multiple Motion Detectors for Light Fixtures


Can Two Motion Detectors be Used to Control Outdoor Flood Lights? How to Wire Multiple Motion Detectors for Outside Lighting.



Home Electrical Wiring Video

Hooking Up a Generator to the House Panel
Using a Circuit Breaker Interlock Kit
for Backup Power

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!

Check out my YouTube Channel:
» AskTheElectrician «
and Subscribe!

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

Motion Detectors for Outdoor Lights
Electrical Question: Can two motion detectors be used for outdoor flood lights?

This electrical wiring question came from: Ricky, a Homeowner from Fayette North Carolina.

Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical wiring question Ricky.

Multiple Motion Detectors for Outdoor Lighting

Application: Wiring Motion Detector Controlled Light Fixtures.
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate – Best performed by a Licensed Electrician.
Tools Required: Basic Hand Tools and Non Conductive Ladder.
Estimated Time: Depends on personal experience, the light fixture and access to the motion detector light fixture.
Precaution: Identify the light fixture circuit, turn it OFF and Tag it with a Note before working with the wiring.

How to Wire Multiple Motion Detectors for Outside Lights

I have tested this type of control system before, and what I found is that if you wire two motion sensors directly together they will conflict with each other and cause the light fixture to turn on and off rapidly. However, two or more motion detectors can be wired for this type of application using another method which is  explained below.

Wiring Two or More Motion Detectors and Light Fixtures

See the application where this system was installed at a project for Lighting Covered Stairs

Additional Options for Controlling Outdoor Light Fixtures

Typical Wiring Diagram for this Application

wiring diagram motion detector controls

More about Wiring Motion Detector Light Fixtures

Wire Motion Detector Lights
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.

relay-panel

More about Electrical Relay Construction and Purpose – Part 1

Electrical Wire for Motion Detectors

electrical-wire
Electrical Wire for Light Fixtures
Complete listing of electrical wire types and parts used for home projects with electrical code information serves as selection guidelines.


The following may also be helpful for you:

Dave's Guide to Home Electrical Wiring:

» You Can Avoid Costly Mistakes! «

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
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 Lighting, Motion Detector and Home Electrical Wiring:
« Previous Next »
Why Do Lights Stop Working? Why Lights Dim When the Central AC Unit Starts


FAQs Frequently Asked Questions and Comments

6 Responses to “Multiple Motion Detectors for Light Fixtures”
  1. Howie says:

    Can you explain what a relay is? If its a product, how do I choose the correct relay for the application. Finally, how to wire a relay to connect multiple motion detectors to a string of lights? I have checked multiple sources and everyone gives the same answer in using multiple motion detectors for a string of lights, use a relay, but nobody explains how to do it.

  2. Dave Rongey says:

    Howard, I have added a link to the relay section of the website. There are a few wiring diagrams and some information that should help you. If this does not help then make another comment and I may have to get a little more practical information for you. Dave

  3. Tom Fettig says:

    Did you mean this to read:
    I would like to control my outdoor flood lights with more than one motion detector so the light can be triggered to come on if there is movement detected in different directions.
    If this can be done using standard motion detectors,

    (do both red wires from the motion sensor tie to each other.)
    Change to:
    (Tie both red wires from the motion sensor tie to each other.)

    Then the two black wires from the motion sensor will tie to the hot wire from the main power.

  4. Dave Rongey says:

    Hi Tom,
    With this type of setup the motion detectors do not tie to one another. Each motion detector must connect to a separate control relay. I have tried connecting the red wires from the motion detectors to each other and for some reason when motion is detected the two motion detectors make the lights flash on and off. However when I wired each motion detector to a separate relay the lights would control properly. This method can be used when there are motion detectors that are far apart, or at separate levels. This way if any of the motion detectors still detects motion the connected relay is still activated, therefore the lights will still stay on, even though another motion detector may not be detecting motion. This way the passageway remains lighted until there is no motion detected and the set time delay has expired.
    Thanks for your input Tom. I realize this will create questions and that is OK. I will be producing a wiring diagram to explain the wiring in detail.
    I also placed a link to the page where this setup was installed, and I will add more information showing the final working system.
    I hope this helps,
    Dave

  5. chris says:

    I have a Boulder outdoor motion detector. I think the model number is NW-12 300 watts output. It has four wires coming from the inside of it, two white, one black, one red. I have a light fixture with two light bulbs each one of them has a white and a black wire coming out of them how do I hook this up?

  6. Dave Rongey says:

    Hi Chris, Typically the black wire on the motion detector is connected to the black wire of the incoming circuit power of the light fixture box. The red wire of the motion detector connects to the black wires of the lights. The white wires of the motion detector, and the lights all splice together with the white wire of the incoming circuit power cable. Be sure to consult the wiring diagram and documentation that came with the motion detector for specific instructions.
    I hope this helps you,
    Dave