How to Safely Install a New Motion-Sensing Outdoor Light

Motion detectors are very cost-effective, convenient and provide extra security in your outdoor areas. They are a perfect option to shed light on areas of your yard, garage, or front door, only when needed, but also to scare off intruders and warn you of their presence.

This article will walk you through the steps required to install your motion-sensing light and make your outdoor areas more functional and secure.

How do Motion Detectors Work?

Motion detectors sense any moving objects within the working range of their sensor. There are different types of motion sensors, the most commonly used being the passive infrared sensor, which works by checking for moving heat signals within its surveyed area. 

Whenever a human or an animal walks within the detection area of the motion sensor, it can activate a light, an alarm or notify any other piece of technology it is attached to. This makes them a great crime prevention measure. 

Additionally, motion sensors detect movement only during the night if you set it to, and you can control how long the light stays lit upon detecting motion. With motion-sensor lights, you don’t have to keep your yard lights on all night, which lowers your electricity bills. 

Tools Needed for the Electrical Installation

To install your motion-sensor light, you will need tools such as: 

• A screwdriver;
• Wire cutter, strippers or a knife;
• Voltage tester;
• Ladder.

If you need to run a new electrical cable or the electrical box is not big enough, you might need to use other tools to widen the wall, such as a jigsaw, hammer and chisel, or another tool, depending on the material your walls are made out of.

Hardware to consider for the job:

• Wire connectors;
• Larger electrical box;
• Spare wires.

Safety Precautions

If you choose to DIY, make sure always to have protection gear on, such as rubber gloves and flash protection goggles. Double-check if the electricity was turned off before proceeding to work with electrical cables and wires.

If you need to use a ladder, steer clear of any high-voltage cables running close to or through your property. Make sure that the ladder is secured into place and stable, too.

When it comes to safe electrical repairs, installations and electrical outlets, we strongly suggest using quality electrical services since a certified electrician knows how to safely and quickly perform any electrical work, including setting up your motion-detector light.

Instructions for Installation

If you want to replace your old fixture or use a pre-installed electrical box for a completely new motion-sensing light, you can follow these steps to set it up.

#1 Shut off Main Power

Shut down the main power switch to make the process safer and stress-free. Stopping individual circuits will make the job riskier for you. 

With the power out, you can now take down your old light. Set up the ladder carefully. Use your screwdriver to remove the old fixture carefully.

Before you cut the wires from the old light fixture, just in case, use your voltage tester and check the electrical wires within the box for current.

To do that, hold one probe of the voltage tester to the earth wire (green and yellow in newer ones, bare for an older electrical installation) while checking the livewire (brown in new installations and red in old ones) and the neutral (blue in new installations, black in old ones) with the other probe, one after the other.

#2 Install a Larger Box

With the power and the old fixture out of the way, asses if the electrical box is large enough to fit the additional wiring for your new fixture. If your old box cannot accommodate the new electrical wires, unscrew the screws holding it to the wall and carefully remove it.

If you do not have a larger electrical box on you, visit a nearby electrical store and take the fixture with you to select a new box of sufficient size.

If the new box does not fit the wall, you must widen the pre-existing hole. Use appropriate tools, depending on the wall material, to widen the hole.

#3 Complete the Electrical Wiring and Mount the New Fixture

With the new box in place, you can start connecting the wiring of the new fixture to it. Outdoor motion-sensing lights usually come with a rubber gasket for water insulation so you should run the wires through it. 

Follow the installation manual to link the light fixture’s wires and the electrical box. Connect the wires of matching colours to ensure that power will be properly and safely supplied to your motion-sensing light. Using wire connectors is advisable.

With the wires connected, position the rubber gasket so it runs around the edges of the electrical box. Place the light fixture boundaries right over the rubber. Screw the motion-detector light in place.

#4 Adjust the Light Sensor and Set the Controls

For the final touch, adjust the detector range and the light to cover the areas that you want them to.

Depending on the model of your motion detector, there is a range of options that will allow you to increase its sensitivity and area of coverage, as well as the turn-on cycle.

Additionally, adjust the turn-off counter for your light.

 #5 Turn the Main Power On

With the motion-detection light installed and set, it’s time to give it a test run. Turn the motion-sensing fixture’s test mode on so that the sensor will detect motion during the day.

Switch the main power back on and walk within the sensor range to check if the lights turn on and if they are detecting the right areas.

Later in the evening, perform further tests to tune all its settings to your liking.

Additional Installation Tips

Keep motion detectors properly insulated to protect them from rain, snow and water seeping into the electrical outlets.

Try sneaking within the sensor’s detection range from different angles to ensure it is effective against stealthiness.

Since light bulbs heat up during use, they can interfere with the motion sensor, so you should position them away from one another as much as possible.

Adjust the sensitivity and detection area of the sensors further to reduce nuisance trips.

Call an Electrician for Help

Replacing a pre-existing fixture with a light-sensing outdoor light is not too much of a challenge to DIY.

However, if there is no pre-existing switch box for your new fixture or you will add more than one motion-sensing fixture, the electrical job requires much more expertise.

Proper insulation against the elements, running new electrical cable or adding an entirely new switch box requires detailed knowledge about electrical work. An experienced electrician will install those for you in a quicker and safer manner.

In some cases, you might need permits to perform certain electrical work. An electrician is well acquainted with local electrical installation guidelines and will save you lots of time on research and paperwork too.

Conclusion 

With your motion-sensing light set, your outdoor areas will be much safer and functional at night, just like during the day.

For any electrical repairs, installations or wiring job, consider quality electrical services for peace of mind and saving up time.