What can I use so that a light turns on automatically whenever the door is open? For instance, I want the light in my master closet to turn on whenever I open the closet door. I have a switch that is in the bedroom that I want to move inside the closet instead. It should be pretty easy to move it, but it will end up being behind the door in the closet, which isn't very useful. So I am trying to figure out how I can have the light automatically turn on when the door opens. Thanks for your help!

 

You can install one of these relays in a remote location like an attic or basement. Use a metal box and install the relay module so that the 120volt wires are inside the box, and the low voltage wires are outside the box.

Use an alarm type contact switch with spring return in the door casing to switch the relay's low voltage wiring. A magnetic contact could also be used if you do not want to tear the door casing off. You could hide the wires inside the closet.

If you wire the closet wall switch ahead of the relay module, the closet switch would act as a master off switch.


http://www.tequipment.net/RemconRC-120S.html

 

You can get approximately what you want with a simple motion sensing switch. The switch will sense the motion of the door being opened and turn on. It is true that the closet light will stay on for a while after you close the closet door, but it will turn off soon enough. Make sure the switch can see the closet door.

 

Not sure if they still make them, but I have a jamb switch that operates by the opening and closing of the door. Of course you will have to figure a way to fish a wire to the jbox in the jamb switch.
Oops, just googled jamb switch and came up with this among many: http://www.residential-landscape-lighting-design.com/store/PPF/parameters/1885_534/more_info.asp

 

John,
Can you post a link to the switch that you are talking about. Most motion switches are PIR and will not notice a cold object, like a door.

In bathrooms we locate them so they see a person right away, in a closet placement would be much more difficult.

 

there are light sensor switches that operate by using sound wave, as soon as you open the door or go into its parameter it would be on...FYI

 

can you post a link to such a device, or a part number. I would like to learn more ...

 

jwhite: I have posted before, but in the Chicago United Airlines 737 catering kitchen they utilize heat seeking motion sensors for conference rooms, etc. Fine when no one is in the room, the lights go out. Now, go to a stall in the bathroom with no windows. BINGO, you have one minute to do your thing, or stand up and wave your hand until the lights come back on. Quite inconvenient in that situation.

 

one of the companies is NOVITAS, inc ,they are in torrance CA, the one i have is call superswitch Mini mod # 01-250, its rate; 120 vac at 800 w and 277vac at 1200w, operating temp 32 - 100 F, indoor use only

 

Here's how I did mine in my master bedroom closet:

1) Removed the existing, single bulb fixture in the center of the closet ceiling, and instead put in a single-pole, motion-sensing switch, mounted in a Wiremold surface box ( www.wiremold.com, product B5, B2, or B3; forget exactly which).

2)Thru a twistout on each end of the outlet box, I lead a piece of surface-mount wire-channel, to a new surface mount Circular Fixture Box, (B4F) and then a simple ceiling light fixture. Used fixtures with the usual milky-glass globes. Boring, and utilitarian, but hey, this is just a closet, and I wanted something softer than just a bare bulb.

I put the new fixtures about 12 inches from the front & back walls of the closet for safety's sake.

3) Wired up the two new fixtures to the output of the motion sensing switch, and then bypassed the switch outside the closet door, and put a blank cover plate on it.

4) Turned the power back on to the circuit, & spent some time setting the sensitivity & timing of the sensor switch.

Now, whenever we enter the closet, it senses us, & turns on the lights. (My wife likes to say "Lumos!" and wave her arms, like in the Harry Potter stories!!). Stay on while we're in there, and for a short time after leaving.

The reason for two lights? Simple: Provides more light when you're trying to pick out clothes, and also, if one lamp goes out, there's enough light to easily see the other one. Ta-daaa! no more fumbling in the dark closet trying to replace a bulb.

Relieves at least three problems: 1)Remembering to turn off the light when you leave the closet, 2)More, diffuse lighting when you're looking at clothes, rather than suffering with one fixture in the middle of the ceiling, casting too many shadows., and 3)Being able to see what you're doing in case one bulb burns out.


Chuk Gleason
Cary, NC.

 

Be aware that the placement of lighting fixtures in closets is highly regulated by code (and rightly so given how much combustible material is in the closet). In many closets, the only safe and legal place for the light is exactly where the builder put it.

 

John -


That's a very good point. Thanks for that input. I didn't think about the 'highly regulated' aspect, but did think seriously about my distances from the wall, other items in the closet, etc. in order to provide what in my mind is adequate clearance. It was quite a few years ago I did this, but remains one of my favorite 'afternoon putter-jobs' ever.