How To Install Motion Sensor Flood Lights?

Motion sensor floodlights are a very good mechanism to protect your house against thieves or possible burglars. Installing these lights is fairly easy, and you don’t have to pay a handsome amount of money to install these sensors if you follow these basic instructions. Here, is a guide to self install Motion Sensor Flood Lights

How To Install Motion Sensor Flood Lights?

Installing motion sensor floodlights is not a tedious task. You only have to take care of some basic techniques, and you can easily install these lights.

• Tools ( List down tools):

1. Cordless screwdriver
2. Set of new screws
3. Voltage tester
4. Voltage meter
5. Mounting strip
6. Wire connectors
7. Electrical tape

• Time  (For eg, 30min): 60 minutes

1. Shut Off the Power

The very first step is to shut off the power supply. This is an important step to protect yourself from getting electric shocks while installing the lights.

Even after shutting off the power supply, use the voltage sensor to check once again, that there is no current flowing through the wires.

2. Where to put the lights

• Motion lights are best suitable for the locations from where they can sense the motion of moving objects in a wide area.
• The lights should be placed at a height about 10 feet from the ground level.
• You can also place the lights on the steps of the stairs, near your pool, or on the benches of your garden.
• Putting lights in the dark corners around your house can provide you with safety.

3. Wire Your Motion Sensor Lights

After you make sure to shut off the power supply, first attach the mounting strip. Attach the mounting strip to a spot where the sensor lights are away from direct sunlight.

By connecting the mounting strip, you can easily attach the wires before mounting the light set up or the fixture.

The new motion sensor has wires attached to it that are meant to be attached to the wiring of the house. You can identify the different types of wires by checking the color codes for positive, negative, and ground wires.

Match the color codes of the wires of your house with the wires fixed in the new motion sensor light and attach them accordingly. In case the color codes of the wires do not match, you can check the voltages for positive, negative, or ground wires coming from your house using a voltage meter.

4. Add the Motion Sensor

After matching the wires properly, attach them by using the wire connectors and electrical tape. Now fix the sensor of the mounting strip by using the set of new screws and fixing them using a cordless screwdriver in a way that all the wires are inside. You can have some great motion sensors for your motion lights from the market.

At this stage, you need to make sure that the sensor floodlights are protected from moisture. To keep the internal wiring and systems dry, waterproof the fixture by applying a bead of silicone caulk around the outside of the wall plate.

5. Restore Power

After completing all the steps of installing the motion sensor floodlights and rechecking everything, restore the power supply and check if the sensor you just installed is working properly or not. You can also adjust the angle of the lights at this stage if it’s not proper.

6. Activate Your Motion Sensor

You have now successfully installed the motion sensor floodlight; the last step is just to activate the sensor.

You can also now adjust the timer if the sensor provides that function. After activating the sensor, you are done! Congratulations!

7. Adjusting the Motion Sensing Parameter

• Motion sensors are provided with the screws beforehand.
• Some models are provided with manual adjustments.
• Other models need the screws to be displaced.
• Turn the dial on the bottom to the ‘Test’ setting.
• Turn the sensitivity dial to the lowest.
• Now adjust the range.
• Adjust the distance covered by increasing/decreasing the sensitivity according to your needs.
• Set the light time.
• Turning the sensor in an upward position will cover a larger distance area but make sure it doesn’t face the sky.

How To Install An Outdoor Motion Sensor Flood Lights?

Installing outside motion sensor floodlights is sot very different. There are some factors that you need to keep in mind while installing the outdoor lights.

The first one is to check for the location. You need to make sure that the light you are installing is away from direct sunlight.

The second important thing is to take note of the height and angle at which the lights are installed. The sensor lights could be adjusted to varying degrees.

Usually, most of the sensors provide a wide angle for better coverage of the area, for example, 240 degrees. You should choose the best motion sensor flood light for your house.

How Do You Wire A Motion Sensor?

Shut the power supply and dismantle the bulb to wire the motion sensor. Take the light from the electric box and check out the wire connections. You need to unscrew the wire nuts which hold the wire connections in place.

The most common types of wires you will find in a motion sensor will be black, red, and white insulated ones. Remove a small part of the insulation covering and expose the copper wire bundles.

There will be two small holes visible from the outside. Place the sensor’s copper wire through this small hole and fix it by screwing the nuts with pliers.

Fix the sensor’s red wire, the black wire of the light, and the ground wire with the metal housing present in the sensor part. Place the light bulb and the glass back in it’s position.

Color codes are important and the easiest way to wire a motion sensor. Match the color codes and if the colors do not match, use a voltage tester to check for the currents flowing in the wires and fix them accordingly using wire connectors and electrical tape.

Do Motion Sensor Lights Need A Switch?

Motion sensors do not need a light switch. But you do have the option of installing a switch if you want. Motion sensors become active when they sense a moving body within their range, and the area covered by them is illuminated.

The lights are on as long as the movement continues within the covered range. Some sensors are also equipped with timers in which the light is on for 5, 10, or 20 minutes or according to the time set by you, and are automatically turned off after the set duration.

Having a light switch installed gives you the option of turning off the light according to your convenience. This can also help you save energy.

What Is The Red Wire For On A Motion Detector Light?

The red wire is for the smooth functioning of the switch attached to the sensor. It connects to the black wire provided.

Can I Install A Motion Sensor To An Existing Light?

Yes, it is very easy to add motion sensors to an existing light. The other steps are the same. You need to shut off the power supply and attach the wires of the motion sensors to the existing wires of the light present. You need to attach both the black wires and attach the neutral wires.

Final Talk

Motion sensor floodlights are very beneficial as they decrease the chance of intrusion by a burglar. As these sensors immediately track movements and enhance house security. Installing new sensors, Removing motion sensor lights, and installing them on the existing lights is not a complex task; you can do it on your own very easily.