Weird photocell dilemma
#1
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Weird photocell dilemma
Hello; I have a problem. Well why the heck otherwise would I be writing this anyway?
I want to install an exterior light fixture with photo cell where there was previously just a simple light.
The outside box is existing with three conductor wire (red, black, white) and ground. The Switch is connected to the red and black wires. White is in common in the box and the ground wire is bare.
The exterior lamp fixture with photo cell switch:
The photo cell has 3 wires. Red, black and white.
The fixture ballast (HPS) has 2 com white wires
1 wire 'lamp'
1 wire '120v'
The lamp socket has 1 white wire and 1 black wire attached.
I would consider it a great favour if someone would enlightened me on this maize of wires. Thank you, JD
PS. I am 'A ok' on the ground wire.
I want to install an exterior light fixture with photo cell where there was previously just a simple light.
The outside box is existing with three conductor wire (red, black, white) and ground. The Switch is connected to the red and black wires. White is in common in the box and the ground wire is bare.
The exterior lamp fixture with photo cell switch:
The photo cell has 3 wires. Red, black and white.
The fixture ballast (HPS) has 2 com white wires
1 wire 'lamp'
1 wire '120v'
The lamp socket has 1 white wire and 1 black wire attached.
I would consider it a great favour if someone would enlightened me on this maize of wires. Thank you, JD
PS. I am 'A ok' on the ground wire.
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A photo cell is nothing more than a switch, and it sounds like you have a switch loop in the existing light. But it sounds like a three-way switch loop, that makes it more complicated. Not sure if they make a 3-way photocell, certainly possible.
#4
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Welcome;
1- light- why would it matter if it is on 3-way etc switch?
When you took the existing light out what was connected to the fixture?
I am for ever amazed, that some think they need to rewire a house to change out a fixture.
Photo cell. White to white (of fixture and feed), Black to feed(switch leg to fixture) Red to fixture. All these devices come with diagrams.
Fixture: 2-commons (white) to the white feed,.
Lamp; to the lamp (black)
120V to the red of the photo cell.
In this case, the black or what ever wire from the switch, goes to black on the PC. The red on the PC will goe to the 120V of the ballast. Ground correctly, and work with the power off!
With this setup, the switch will ALWAYS have to be on.
We would like to hear from you again.
1- light- why would it matter if it is on 3-way etc switch?
When you took the existing light out what was connected to the fixture?
I am for ever amazed, that some think they need to rewire a house to change out a fixture.
Photo cell. White to white (of fixture and feed), Black to feed(switch leg to fixture) Red to fixture. All these devices come with diagrams.
Fixture: 2-commons (white) to the white feed,.
Lamp; to the lamp (black)
120V to the red of the photo cell.
In this case, the black or what ever wire from the switch, goes to black on the PC. The red on the PC will goe to the 120V of the ballast. Ground correctly, and work with the power off!
With this setup, the switch will ALWAYS have to be on.
We would like to hear from you again.
#5
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Hello racraft and thanks to lectriclee and Just Bill
Hello Racraft;
Here is the wiring layout.
The wires:
The wiring for this fixture is connected to a switch inside the house. The switch's two connections (on the back of the switch) are one red wire and one black wire with the white in common in the box and the bare grnd. It is bx cable (flexible conduit metal sheath).
At the outside junction box for the fixture attachment: One red, one black, one white and grnd.
The fixture has 6 wires.
A white and black wire connected to the lamp socket.
On the HPS Transformer, wires identified as: Two com wires, one 120v wire and one lamp wire.
On the photocell, three wires, a black, red and white wire.
I hope this explains it better.
Thank you very much. Best regards, JD
PS; When I bought the photo cell I brought the fixture with me to their shop. They gave me wire connection instructions. When I connected the fixture with their instructions the lamp just stayed on. No on/off.
Here is the wiring layout.
The wires:
The wiring for this fixture is connected to a switch inside the house. The switch's two connections (on the back of the switch) are one red wire and one black wire with the white in common in the box and the bare grnd. It is bx cable (flexible conduit metal sheath).
At the outside junction box for the fixture attachment: One red, one black, one white and grnd.
The fixture has 6 wires.
A white and black wire connected to the lamp socket.
On the HPS Transformer, wires identified as: Two com wires, one 120v wire and one lamp wire.
On the photocell, three wires, a black, red and white wire.
I hope this explains it better.
Thank you very much. Best regards, JD
PS; When I bought the photo cell I brought the fixture with me to their shop. They gave me wire connection instructions. When I connected the fixture with their instructions the lamp just stayed on. No on/off.
Last edited by betterway; 11-02-06 at 11:20 PM.
#6
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I do not understand the following: "The switch's two connections (on the back of the switch) are one red wire and one black wire with the white in common in the box and the bare grnd."
How many CABLES enter this box, what wires are in each cable and how are those wires hooked up?
How are the wires at the light presently connected?
Be as specific as possible or take pictures.
How many CABLES enter this box, what wires are in each cable and how are those wires hooked up?
How are the wires at the light presently connected?
Be as specific as possible or take pictures.
#7
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HI Racraft
Hello Racraft;
Wires in switch box
3 black wires(one connected to switch)
2 white wires (connected together)
1 red wire cut off
2 ground wires connected together
1 red wire connected to switch
Wires in outside light outlet box: 1 red, 1 black and 1 white
The orginal fixture had one black and one white wire and I think that is how they were connected, black to black and white to white and the red not used.
I have been wondering what to do with the red wire at the fixture and now I think it is a 'red' herring. It was probably used for some other need and not required for a lighting fixture.
And as per lectriclee's advice I think I have it now.
1. photocell white, 2 transformer com wires, lamp white wire and white in light outlet box connect together
2. photocell red to 120v on tranformer
3. photocell black to black power supply in light outlet box
4. tranformer 'lamp' wire to black wire at lamp socket
If this is wrong please advise.
Thank you, best regards, JD
Wires in switch box
3 black wires(one connected to switch)
2 white wires (connected together)
1 red wire cut off
2 ground wires connected together
1 red wire connected to switch
Wires in outside light outlet box: 1 red, 1 black and 1 white
The orginal fixture had one black and one white wire and I think that is how they were connected, black to black and white to white and the red not used.
I have been wondering what to do with the red wire at the fixture and now I think it is a 'red' herring. It was probably used for some other need and not required for a lighting fixture.
And as per lectriclee's advice I think I have it now.
1. photocell white, 2 transformer com wires, lamp white wire and white in light outlet box connect together
2. photocell red to 120v on tranformer
3. photocell black to black power supply in light outlet box
4. tranformer 'lamp' wire to black wire at lamp socket
If this is wrong please advise.
Thank you, best regards, JD
#8
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You still have not provided enough information.
If a red wire is connected to a switch then it most certain is important, unless it is the red wire bringing power to the switch.
I need very specific information.
How many cables, what wires are in each cable and how are those wires connected up.
For example:
There are three cables entering the switch box.
Cable 1 has a red, black and white wire. The black wire is connected to...
If a red wire is connected to a switch then it most certain is important, unless it is the red wire bringing power to the switch.
I need very specific information.
How many cables, what wires are in each cable and how are those wires connected up.
For example:
There are three cables entering the switch box.
Cable 1 has a red, black and white wire. The black wire is connected to...
#9
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Problem solved Thank you to all who helped!!!
Hi everyone.
Thank you for all you help. The fixture is working perfectly now. I went back to the electrical disributor with the instructions and we hooked up to 120 v there and everything is working great.
Thanks again, best regards, JD
Thank you for all you help. The fixture is working perfectly now. I went back to the electrical disributor with the instructions and we hooked up to 120 v there and everything is working great.
Thanks again, best regards, JD