Photocell Issues
#1
10-19-21, 03:37 PM
Photocell Issues
Hi there,
I just moved into a new house, and am having some issues with the photocell that controls the front patio lights. When I moved in, the lights were perpetually on. I spoke to the previous occupant and they advised it was due to a bad photocell receptor located on the roof that controlled the lights. I uninstalled the photocell, tested the lines, and found 120V coming into black wire, red and white both dead. I assumed white to be the common and red my out line. I purchased a replacement photocell and installed it with the same configuration as the old, black to black, red to red, white to white, but now I cannot get the lights to turn on. I removed the new photocell, and re-installed the old, and could not get the lights to turn on. I then re-installed the new photocell, left the breaker off for a few hours, turned it back on, and nothing. The new photocell has been installed for a week now with no luck. At this point, I tried just manually connecting the black wire to the red wire, which I assumed to be the out (after confirming that black was still hot), and this did not get the lights to turn on either.
Any thoughts on what I am doing wrong?
Thank you!!
I just moved into a new house, and am having some issues with the photocell that controls the front patio lights. When I moved in, the lights were perpetually on. I spoke to the previous occupant and they advised it was due to a bad photocell receptor located on the roof that controlled the lights. I uninstalled the photocell, tested the lines, and found 120V coming into black wire, red and white both dead. I assumed white to be the common and red my out line. I purchased a replacement photocell and installed it with the same configuration as the old, black to black, red to red, white to white, but now I cannot get the lights to turn on. I removed the new photocell, and re-installed the old, and could not get the lights to turn on. I then re-installed the new photocell, left the breaker off for a few hours, turned it back on, and nothing. The new photocell has been installed for a week now with no luck. At this point, I tried just manually connecting the black wire to the red wire, which I assumed to be the out (after confirming that black was still hot), and this did not get the lights to turn on either.
Any thoughts on what I am doing wrong?
Thank you!!
#2
10-19-21, 05:35 PM
Group Moderator
Welcome to the forums.
You are correct. Connecting the red (switched) line to the black (hot) line should make the lights come on. I would check for power on the black wire to the white/neutral wire or to ground.
Possibly you tripped a breaker ?
I don't see you as doing anything wrong.
Typically there is a switch inside the house that supplies switched hot power to the photocell so that the lights can be turned off or set to be always on.
You are correct. Connecting the red (switched) line to the black (hot) line should make the lights come on. I would check for power on the black wire to the white/neutral wire or to ground.
Possibly you tripped a breaker ?
I don't see you as doing anything wrong.
Typically there is a switch inside the house that supplies switched hot power to the photocell so that the lights can be turned off or set to be always on.
#3
10-20-21, 08:40 AM
Thanks so much for the reply. There was power coming from the black line, so I don't think it was a tripped breaker. I think the previous owner had replaced the inside lightswitch with a home security panel, but it doesn't seem like I can control the lights from that. Also it's odd because the lights were on before I replaced the photocell.
I am going to try connecting the black and the red wires and cap it and leave it for a day or two to see if that does anything.
I am going to try connecting the black and the red wires and cap it and leave it for a day or two to see if that does anything.
#4
10-20-21, 10:58 AM
Group Moderator
#6
10-20-21, 12:12 PM
Group Moderator
Hmmm...... you said there was power on the black wire.
Be sure to check from black to white to make sure the neutral wire is also ok.
Be sure to check from black to white to make sure the neutral wire is also ok.
#8
10-20-21, 09:17 PM
Group Moderator
Technically the neutral is at ground potential.
You should measure 120v to the white wire or ground. Both should measure the same.
You should measure 120v to the white wire or ground. Both should measure the same.
