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adding a motion detector to a regular light fixture

1K views 3 replies 3 participants last post by  oberkc 
#1 ·
We just replaced our outside light fixtures and there are a few I would like to have motion activated. The front door to make it easier to unlock the door, the two on the front of the house that are on a timer, currently. Id like to keep that feature but also have them kick on due to motion. And the side yard light. Its currently on a switch inside the garage and I always forget to turn it on or just decided to go without it since im too lazy to walk around to turn it on and off. will these "ad a motion" kits work for these applications? I went to lowes and they dont have a matching fixture with built in motion. Anybody been down this road?
 
#4 ·
Some motion sensors can be hardwired (they have what is in my mind a "switched" output). The only limitation is placement, mounting, and wiring. If you think you have solutions for this, I expect it to work. The only question I have is about your "timer". Is the timer built into the switch? If so, then the motion sensor would be fine, so long as it is within the timed "on" period.

One can also go a bit more complex, and get wireless motion sensors that trigger a switch (Z-wave seems like a popular choice). Mount the motion sensor wherever you want, replace the existing switch with a compable version, and you are set.
 
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