Installing a Motion Detector

If you are uncomfortable or uncertain about working with electricity, contact a qualified professional for your project.

When working with electricity always: Turn off the power. Test the wires to ensure the power is off. Lock out the panel box, so no one can accidentally turn the power back on while you are working. Check with local authorities to see if a permit is required. Have your work checked by an inspector. Wear eye goggles and a dust mask. To avoid overloading the circuit, consult a licensed electrician.

1. Turn the power off to the circuit at the main fuse or breaker box.



2. Remove the old fixture if necessary. Match screw holes on the fixture cover plate with junction box screw holes and knock-out screw holes. You may open the knock-out holes by lightly tapping them with a hammer and screwdriver. Seal any open screw holes with caulk to prevent water from entering.



3. Thread fixture wires through cover plate gasket and then connect house supply wires. Connect black wire to black wire and white wire to white wire, using the wire nuts provided. No ground wire is required. Attach any ground wire coming from your house to the junction box.



4. Attach the fixture to the junction box with the two screws provided.



5. Screw in the appropriate light bulbs.

1. On the bottom of the sensor is a slide switch and the sensory adjustment dial. Move the slide switch to the "TEST" position. Set the sensory adjustment to medium (halfway setting).



2. Turn the main power on, followed by the circuit wall switch. The fixture lights will come on for about 30 seconds and then go off. If there is any motion within the detection zone, the lights will stay on longer.



3. Aim the detector head toward the area in which you wish to sense motion and walk across the detection zone at the furthest point you wish the lights to go on.



4. Grasp the lampholders and position the lamps so as not to interfere with the sensor. Never grasp the bulb to change the lamp direction—the bulb may break. If your lights go off and immediately back on while testing, the lamps are too close to the sensor. Aim the bulbs away from the sensor and slightly downwards so water will not fill the lampholders. Keep the bulbs at least 1/2" away from sensor.



5. Adjust sensitivity until the lights go on where desired in the detection zone. Lights will turn off four seconds after all motion stops.



6. Slide the switch from "TEST" position to the one you desire. Check the manufacturer's descriptions (included with the unit) to make your selection.

A wide-angle motion sensor detects a nearly 75 percent wider area than standard motion sensors. A wider detection area means more motion can be detected and your lights may turn on more often. If your lights activate more often than you want, or blink repeatedly on and off, these hints should solve the problem:

1. Reduce the sensor sensitivity 1/8 turn at a time until lights remain off.



2. Use black electrical tape to block off lens area where unwanted motion or light from lamps is detected by the sensor. Any area (large or small) on the lens may be blocked without harming the motion detector.