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


Why Dusk to Dawn Fixtures Go On and Off

What would cause a dusk to dawn light fixture to turn on and off? How to Test Outside Motion Light Fixtures for the sensitivity of the motion detector.


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!

Cause of On and Off Dusk to Dawn Light Fixture
[ad#block]Electrical Question #1: What would cause a dusk to dawn light fixture to turn on and off?

I have a dusk to dawn light fixture that turns on and off quite a lot. I replace an old outside light fixture with a new Area dusk to dawn fixture. I had observe that the new light fixture goes on and off. It come on about 5 min, then back on with 5 min., what could be the problem?

This electrical question came from: Bob, a Homeowner from Los Angeles, California.

Electrical Question #2:

This electrical question came from Tim in Cottageville, South Carolina.

Electrical Question #3:

I have a dusk to dawn motion light. It works just fine at night. Motion activates it and the light burns until the time expires. The problem is during the daytime. Once it becomes light outside the light comes on and burns until it detects dusk again. Once it becomes dark it works properly until the next morning.

This electrical wiring question came from Skip, a Handyman in Bedford, Indiana.

Dave’s Reply:
Thank you for your electrical questions.

How to Test Outside Motion Light Fixtures

Adjusting a Motion Detector Light Fixture

Lear More about Outside Motion Light Fixtures

motion-fixture

Troubleshooting


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 Dusk to Dawn Fixtures, Electrical Repair and Home Electrical Wiring:
« Previous Next »
LED Lights and Transformer Electrical Junction Box Access


FAQs Frequently Asked Questions and Comments

6 Responses to “Why Dusk to Dawn Fixtures Go On and Off”
  1. jones says:

    My dusk to dawn light works for 90 seconds, then it goes out for 2 minutes, and then relights for 90 more seconds continues this cycle. What is causing this?

  2. Dave Rongey says:

    Hi Jones,
    Check to make sure that one of the switches on the bottom of the motion detector is not set to the TEST setting. The TEST setting enables you to adjust the sensitivity of a security light, dusk to dawn fixture, or motion detector light fixture. After you are through making the sensitivity adjustment to these settings the switch must be moved out of the TEST mode position to allow normal operation.
    I hope this helps,
    Dave

  3. Jerry says:

    I have an outdoor light fixture mounted on top of a 15 foot high pole. The light has a 120 watt light bulb which is controlled by a photocell which is mounted on top of the fixture. The photocell is the plug and twist type. An hour or so after sundown and the photocell has turned the light on, but then the light turns off for about 10-20 minutes, then it comes back on again. Is this a faulty bulb, photocell or just a reflection from something like a light in the distance from another light 30 degrees around from the cell window of the original light picking it up?

  4. Dave Rongey says:

    Hi Jerry,
    The other light may be interfering with the photocell, and this could be verified by placing a shield at the photocell to block the light from the other light fixture. Typically when a bulb is going bad it will turn on and off several times.
    Dave

  5. Susan Henry says:

    Dusk to Dawn Light Control Problem

    We have an outdoor dusk to dawn electrical outlet that we plug our palm tree lights and other deck lights into. In the past few days it will turn on at dusk, but not turn off at dawn.

  6. Dave Rongey says:

    Tips to Repair a Dusk to Dawn Light

    Hi Susan,
    Make sure that the dusk to dawn sensor module is not obstructed in any way, and adjust the direction that it is facing to receive the morning sun exposure. If this does not fix the problem then the sensor module may need to be replaced. Make sure the total number of lighting watts is within the rating of the dusk to dawn sensor module.
    Dave