Why Dusk to Dawn Fixtures Go On and Off
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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. © By: Dave Rongey |
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:
- We have outdoor motion sensor light, I do not know where the off on switch is, and it is flicking on and off. I am afraid it may have frayed wiring and could cause a fire. How do we locate the correct switch?
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
- Adjusting the Settings While in the TEST Mode
- When your done with test make sure that the Switch Setting is not set to TEST.
- The Test Switch setting enables the fixture to override the photocell and allows you to test the positioning and sensitivity settings of the motion detector.
- If the switch is left in the TEST position you will have the light activity that you are describing.
Lear More about Outside Motion Light Fixtures
- 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.
- For more information about Troubleshooting
- Troubleshooting
- Troubleshooting Electrical Wiring
- Licensed Electrician Reveals the Secrets of Successful Electrical Troubleshooting Methods used to solve the majority of the home electrical problems and wiring failures encountered.
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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
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.
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
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?
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
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?