I am trying to install a motion activated light switch. When I removed the previous switch, I noticed 2 black wires, a red wire, and the ground. The new switch has a black screw, 2 gold screws, and the ground. How does the wiring go? I tried the 2 blacks in the gold screws and the red in the black. The switch made a clicking sound. I have never seen red wires...only black and white. Can anyone help?

 

How was the old switch connected? Does more than one switch control this light? What do the directions that came with the new switch indicate?

 

The original switch was removed by my father-in-law. It has holes where the wires connected and weren't screwed down. I am not sure how they were configured. The instructions mention installation for a single pole connection and a 3-way connection. For single pole it says: " Connect green wire to ground screw. Connect Black (hot) wire to the common terminal. Connect remaining wire to the L1 terminal, L2 terminal is not used.) For 3-way: " Connect green wire to ground. Connect common wire to common (black) terminal. Connect one of the traveler wires to L1 and the remaining to L2." As I said earlier, I have never seen a red wire and am confused as to where the wires go. I have installed ceiling fans and switches before, but have never seen anything like this. Thanks for your help.

 

Is this switch the only one that controls the fixture in question? Does the fixture also have a fan or was a fan there before?

 

The proper way to connect the wires will be based on whether there is another switch for this light.

Also, what other wires are in this switch box, and how are they connected to anything?