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  • Home
  • Anti virus/Anti malware
    • How to Remove Keyloggers
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    • How to Remove Locky and AutoLocky Ransomeware for Free
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  • Article Directory
    • How to Protect Computers using Free Version Antivirus Protection Software
    • Computer/Internet >
      • Audio/Visual >
        • How to Add a Cursor (Mouse Pointer) to a Print Screen Image >
          • Automotive >
            • How to Change Seized Up Spark Plugs
            • How to Change Automatic Transmission Filters
            • How to Do Auto Body Repair Work
            • How to Increase Fuel Economy
            • How to Install Truck Hitch Accessories/Attachments
            • How to Make a Poor Man's Fuel Heater
            • How to mix your own Fuel Additive
            • How to Replace a Door Panel
            • How to Replace Rear Leaf Springs
            • How to Tune-Up a Car Yourself
          • Business >
            • How to Appeal Denial of Unemployment Insurance Benefits
            • How to Create Order Forms
            • How to Perform Maryland Judiciary Case Searches Online
            • How to Promote your New Small Business
            • How to Recover Microsoft Office Professional for free
        • How to Convert qcp to wav
        • How to Create Watermark Protected Images
        • How to Crop a Print Screen Image
        • How to Disable your built-in Camera
        • How to Disable your built-in Microphone
        • How to Draw a Rose Bouquet
        • How to Print Digital Images Actual Size
        • How to Resize an Image to 424 X 282 Pixels, Without Distortion
        • How to Stream M3U's on Websites
      • How to Access a No Boot Hard Drive
      • How to Add Downloads to the Start Menu
      • How to Add a Hibernate Shortcut to your Windows Desktop
      • How to Add a Log Off Shortcut to your Windows desktop
      • How to Add a Restart Shortcut to your Windows desktop
      • How to Add a Second HDD (a Slave Drive) to your PC
      • How to Add a Shutdown Shortcut to your Windows desktop
      • How to Add a Standby Shortcut to your Windows desktop
      • How to Add Keywords to Your Website
      • How to Add Safe Mode to your Windows Boot Menu, by editing the BOOT.INI file
      • How to Backlink your online content
      • How to Block a Pinterest Follower
      • How To Comply with Amazon FTC Regulations
      • How to Connect to a Public WiFi Network
      • How to Create a Bookmarks Favicon
      • How to Create a Downloads Library in Windows Explorer
      • How to Create an active Click to Call Link
      • How to Create an h1 Header
      • How to Defragment the Paging File aka Virtual RAM
      • How to Disable sharing on Windows 7 and 8
      • How to Enable and Disable WiFi on Laptops and Tablets
      • How to Fix an Optical Scroll Mouse
      • How to Force Safe Mode on restart without editing BOOT.ini
      • How to Improve Computer Performance
      • How to Install a Bluetooth USB
      • How to Open Affiliate HTML Ads in New Tabs
      • How to Optimize your online content
      • How to Repair Windows Offline Help and Support
      • How to Replace a Dell Vostro 2510 LCD Inverter
      • How to Replace a Dell Vostro 2510 LCD Screen
      • How to Safely Eject ReadyBoost
      • How to Securely Wipe a Hard Disk Drive
      • How to Set Single-Click Customization on Desktop and Laptop Computers
      • How to Turn Num Lock on by Default in Windows 7 & 8
      • How to Tweet from a Flip Phone
    • Food & Drink >
      • Homemade Spaghetti Sauce with Shiitake Mushrooms and roasted Bell Pepper
      • How to Bake a fantastic Zucchini Pie
      • How to Bake Candied Pecans
      • How to Bake Rosemary-Maple Glazed Pork Loin
      • How to Boil Eggs Without Cracking Shells
      • How to make Ramen Noodles more interesting
      • How to Make your own Chopsticks
      • How to scratch Hearty Turkey and Rice Soup
      • How to Slow Cook Beans & Rice with Sausage
      • How to Slow Cook Venison Stew
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      • How to Build a Strong Freestanding Inversion Rack
      • How to Pack a Blood Specimen for Air Travel
      • How to Tell if you have Bed Bugs
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      • How to Easter Egg Hunt with Candy Filled Eggs
      • How to Hang the American Flag
    • Home Improvement >
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        • How to Apply/Repair Ornamental Mapping on Historic Field Stone Construction
        • How to Install a vented Glass Block window
        • How to Pour Concrete Footers for Jack Posts
      • Electrical >
        • How to Control Outdoor and Ceiling Lights with a Timer
        • How to Install a Breaker Panel Receptacle
        • How to Install a Switched Receptacle
        • How to Install Outdoor Motion Lights
        • How to Replace a Doorbell
        • How to Replace a Door Chime
        • How to Wire multiple lights on a Porch Circuit
      • Exterior >
        • How to Calculate a Roof Pitch in Degrees
        • How to Frame a Dormer
        • How to Install Vinyl Outdoor Swings
        • How to Install Vinyl Soffit
        • How to Paint Wood Doors
        • How to Reduce your Cooling costs by painting your Roof white
      • Interior >
        • How to Build a Hide A Safe to Protect The Family Jewels
        • How to Build Boxed Ceiling Beams
        • How to Frame Interior Walls
        • How to Install Crawl Space Insulation
        • How to Increase your Cordless Phone Range
        • How to Install Vinyl Mini Blinds
        • How to Remove Spray Foam Insulation From Hands
        • How to Resize an Interior Composite Hollow Core Door
      • Plumbing >
        • How to Repair Copper Pipes
        • How to Replace a Water Heater Thermocouple
        • How to Solder a Plumbing Joint
        • How to Stop Water Pipes From Vibrating
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      • How to Administer a bitter pill to a Cat
      • How to Administer subcutaneous hydrating fluids to an ailing Cat
      • How to Paper train a Green Iguana
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      • How to Escape from a Bear in the Woods
      • How to Field Dress a Whitetail Deer
      • How to Legally live-trap and relocate Squirrels in the State of Maryland
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How to Install Outdoor Motion Lights

Picture
Motion Activated Light
Tired of stumbling around in the dark, trying to find your way to the car, the shed or the gas grill? Are you concerned about safety, and would like to install outdoor motion lights to discourage burglars? Well, following this tutorial, you can safely install your own outdoor lighting.

Things You'll Need:
* Motion Light Kit
* Weather Proof Octagon Box
* Wire Clamp
* Wall Plate Adapter
* Cordless Drill with 3/4" Spade Bit
* 14-2 Romex
* Wire Nuts
* Rubber & Electrical Tape
* Silicone
Caulk
* Two wood screws 1" - 1 1/2" long

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1. Determine where to place your motion activated flood light for the best coverage of the area you want illuminated. Pay particular attention to the requirements of your motion sensor, regarding the maximum install height and the width angle of the sweep.

2. Locate a source of 120 volt AC electricity. Either a switched or a constant-on circuit. Run a new circuit from the panel, if there are no light circuits available. With a switched circuit, you have the ability to turn the light on for extended periods without having to trip the sensor, by flipping the switch on/off and on again. Many find this especially useful when entertaining company at night!

Picture
Motion light circuit
3. Identify the needs of your lighting circuit. Add the total wattage of the bulbs. Do not exceed 1800 watts on a 15 amp circuit, or 2400 watts on a 20 amp circuit. Lighting circuits wired with 14 gauge stranded or solid wire, insulated by flexible armored or rigid conduit, commonly consist of a hot (black), a neutral (white) and a ground (green). Armored cable often contains only the hot and neutral, while utilizing the metallic armor as the ground. Tighten all of the metal connectors securely to insure that the ground circuit reaches the (grounded) panel. 14-2 Romex, another commonly used cable, consists of insulated hot and neutral conductors with a bare ground wire. These circuits are protected by a 15 Amp Breaker, although the switch may be rated 15 or 20 amps. If your circuit demands exceed 15 amps; use 12 gauge wire, a 20 amp Breaker and a switch also rated at 20 amps. If in doubt, upgrade!

Picture
Wiring Schematic
4. Triggering two flood lights from a single motion sensor requires connecting the red wire from the sensor to the black wires of the trailing (load) circuit. To feed a third light, connect red/black to black. Of course, all white (neutral) wires are connected together. Consult the wiring diagram included with your light kits, when connecting multiple lights & motion detectors together.

5. Wire the wall switch with the hot wires connecting to the side terminals and the ground connected to the green screw on bottom side of the metal frame. Wire nut the neutrals together, as they will bypass the switch. Install the switch in the upright position.

6. Drill a 3/4" hole through the wall where you intend to mount the fixture. 3/4" allows for the cable clamp threaded into the back of the weather proof octagon box. If you mount the fixture on horizontally grooved siding, install a wall plate adapter which locks into the groove to provide a flush mounting surface.

7. Feed at least 6" of wire through the wire connector at the fixture and fasten it securely. This protects the wire from chaffing against the box and from pulling against the wire nuts. Add the weather seal before you start connecting wires! Connect white to white and black to black. Be sure to connect the ground wires, grounding the box in the process. Twist the wires tightly together, in a clockwise direction. Screw on a properly sized wire nut. Even though there is a weather seal on the outside box and light kit, it pays to wrap the wire nuts with electrical tape.

8. Apply a bead of silicone caulk around the weather proof box to seal it to the mounting surface. Seal the wall plate to the siding. This prevents moisture from entering the back of the box or the wall cavity

Tips
* Be sure to aim your lights so that they illuminate the area desired. Lights can be rotated, raised and lowered to best suit the surrounding structures.
* Don't forget to set the time duration and motion sensitivity before putting your ladder away.
* Check with your local electrical code. Outdoor lighting may require a Ground Fault Breaker, in your area.

Warnings
* Do not tie into a receptacle circuit. High amperage-draw electric motors (hair dryers, vacuum cleaners, pressure washers, compressors, etc.) will dramatically shorten the life span of light bulbs.
* Aim the lights away from flammable materials.

Copyright 5/17/2009 All Rights Reserved. Questions? Comments? Contact Me

Related Articles:
Electrical

DISCLAIMER: All of my Electrical tutorials are meant for those with working knowledge of electrical wiring and should not be attempted by first-time novices.

Copyright © TomComKnowsHow

  • Home
  • Anti virus/Anti malware
    • How to Remove Keyloggers
    • How to Remove Conficker Malware
    • How to Remove Locky and AutoLocky Ransomeware for Free
  • How to Remove a Spyware Infection
  • Article Directory
    • How to Protect Computers using Free Version Antivirus Protection Software
    • Computer/Internet >
      • Audio/Visual >
        • How to Add a Cursor (Mouse Pointer) to a Print Screen Image >
          • Automotive >
            • How to Change Seized Up Spark Plugs
            • How to Change Automatic Transmission Filters
            • How to Do Auto Body Repair Work
            • How to Increase Fuel Economy
            • How to Install Truck Hitch Accessories/Attachments
            • How to Make a Poor Man's Fuel Heater
            • How to mix your own Fuel Additive
            • How to Replace a Door Panel
            • How to Replace Rear Leaf Springs
            • How to Tune-Up a Car Yourself
          • Business >
            • How to Appeal Denial of Unemployment Insurance Benefits
            • How to Create Order Forms
            • How to Perform Maryland Judiciary Case Searches Online
            • How to Promote your New Small Business
            • How to Recover Microsoft Office Professional for free
        • How to Convert qcp to wav
        • How to Create Watermark Protected Images
        • How to Crop a Print Screen Image
        • How to Disable your built-in Camera
        • How to Disable your built-in Microphone
        • How to Draw a Rose Bouquet
        • How to Print Digital Images Actual Size
        • How to Resize an Image to 424 X 282 Pixels, Without Distortion
        • How to Stream M3U's on Websites
      • How to Access a No Boot Hard Drive
      • How to Add Downloads to the Start Menu
      • How to Add a Hibernate Shortcut to your Windows Desktop
      • How to Add a Log Off Shortcut to your Windows desktop
      • How to Add a Restart Shortcut to your Windows desktop
      • How to Add a Second HDD (a Slave Drive) to your PC
      • How to Add a Shutdown Shortcut to your Windows desktop
      • How to Add a Standby Shortcut to your Windows desktop
      • How to Add Keywords to Your Website
      • How to Add Safe Mode to your Windows Boot Menu, by editing the BOOT.INI file
      • How to Backlink your online content
      • How to Block a Pinterest Follower
      • How To Comply with Amazon FTC Regulations
      • How to Connect to a Public WiFi Network
      • How to Create a Bookmarks Favicon
      • How to Create a Downloads Library in Windows Explorer
      • How to Create an active Click to Call Link
      • How to Create an h1 Header
      • How to Defragment the Paging File aka Virtual RAM
      • How to Disable sharing on Windows 7 and 8
      • How to Enable and Disable WiFi on Laptops and Tablets
      • How to Fix an Optical Scroll Mouse
      • How to Force Safe Mode on restart without editing BOOT.ini
      • How to Improve Computer Performance
      • How to Install a Bluetooth USB
      • How to Open Affiliate HTML Ads in New Tabs
      • How to Optimize your online content
      • How to Repair Windows Offline Help and Support
      • How to Replace a Dell Vostro 2510 LCD Inverter
      • How to Replace a Dell Vostro 2510 LCD Screen
      • How to Safely Eject ReadyBoost
      • How to Securely Wipe a Hard Disk Drive
      • How to Set Single-Click Customization on Desktop and Laptop Computers
      • How to Turn Num Lock on by Default in Windows 7 & 8
      • How to Tweet from a Flip Phone
    • Food & Drink >
      • Homemade Spaghetti Sauce with Shiitake Mushrooms and roasted Bell Pepper
      • How to Bake a fantastic Zucchini Pie
      • How to Bake Candied Pecans
      • How to Bake Rosemary-Maple Glazed Pork Loin
      • How to Boil Eggs Without Cracking Shells
      • How to make Ramen Noodles more interesting
      • How to Make your own Chopsticks
      • How to scratch Hearty Turkey and Rice Soup
      • How to Slow Cook Beans & Rice with Sausage
      • How to Slow Cook Venison Stew
    • Health >
      • How to Build a Strong Freestanding Inversion Rack
      • How to Pack a Blood Specimen for Air Travel
      • How to Tell if you have Bed Bugs
    • Holidays & Celebrations >
      • How to Easter Egg Hunt with Candy Filled Eggs
      • How to Hang the American Flag
    • Home Improvement >
      • Concrete >
        • How to Apply/Repair Ornamental Mapping on Historic Field Stone Construction
        • How to Install a vented Glass Block window
        • How to Pour Concrete Footers for Jack Posts
      • Electrical >
        • How to Control Outdoor and Ceiling Lights with a Timer
        • How to Install a Breaker Panel Receptacle
        • How to Install a Switched Receptacle
        • How to Install Outdoor Motion Lights
        • How to Replace a Doorbell
        • How to Replace a Door Chime
        • How to Wire multiple lights on a Porch Circuit
      • Exterior >
        • How to Calculate a Roof Pitch in Degrees
        • How to Frame a Dormer
        • How to Install Vinyl Outdoor Swings
        • How to Install Vinyl Soffit
        • How to Paint Wood Doors
        • How to Reduce your Cooling costs by painting your Roof white
      • Interior >
        • How to Build a Hide A Safe to Protect The Family Jewels
        • How to Build Boxed Ceiling Beams
        • How to Frame Interior Walls
        • How to Install Crawl Space Insulation
        • How to Increase your Cordless Phone Range
        • How to Install Vinyl Mini Blinds
        • How to Remove Spray Foam Insulation From Hands
        • How to Resize an Interior Composite Hollow Core Door
      • Plumbing >
        • How to Repair Copper Pipes
        • How to Replace a Water Heater Thermocouple
        • How to Solder a Plumbing Joint
        • How to Stop Water Pipes From Vibrating
    • Pets >
      • How to Administer a bitter pill to a Cat
      • How to Administer subcutaneous hydrating fluids to an ailing Cat
      • How to Paper train a Green Iguana
    • Wildlife >
      • How to Escape from a Bear in the Woods
      • How to Field Dress a Whitetail Deer
      • How to Legally live-trap and relocate Squirrels in the State of Maryland
    • Yard & Garden >
      • How to Build a Concrete Outdoor Fire Pit
      • How to Build your own Pond
      • How to Change the Tire on a Riding Lawn Mower
      • How to Install a Chain Link Fence Gate
      • How to Seed Flagstone Walkways With Moss
  • Contact Me
  • Amazon Deals
  • Zazzle.com/TomCom