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Message
OT Electricians: installing a motion sensor light switch
Posted on 1/16/16 at 2:04 pm
Posted on 1/16/16 at 2:04 pm
I'm trying to install a motion sensor light switch but when I pull the standard switch out of the wall, it has 3 black wires and the green/ground. The switch I bought only has 2 blacks and the green, and everything I read online seems like that's what I should expect to see out of the standard one.
Anyone know what the 3rd one could be and what I do with it? I tried not hooking it up, and that didn't work. Here is a pic of a similar standard switch: in this one you can see the 2 normal wires going into the back of it (which mine does too). But mine also has a 3rd black wire that is wrapped around one of those gold screws on the side. That's the one I don't know what I'm supposed to do with it.
Any advice?
Anyone know what the 3rd one could be and what I do with it? I tried not hooking it up, and that didn't work. Here is a pic of a similar standard switch: in this one you can see the 2 normal wires going into the back of it (which mine does too). But mine also has a 3rd black wire that is wrapped around one of those gold screws on the side. That's the one I don't know what I'm supposed to do with it.
Any advice?
7
Posted on 1/16/16 at 2:04 pm to Htown Tiger
Paging Tino
Posted on 1/16/16 at 2:07 pm to Htown Tiger
Does that switch also connect to a wall receptical to operate a floor or table lamp?
Posted on 1/16/16 at 2:07 pm to Htown Tiger
Is a fan connected to that switch also?
Posted on 1/16/16 at 2:08 pm to Htown Tiger
Assuming this switch feeds one light fixture then Two of the black wires are hots, One in, One out. The third wire is the switch leg feeding the light. The two wire were probably on the bottom of the switch and should be tied together.
Posted on 1/16/16 at 2:10 pm to Htown Tiger
might be a 3 way switch
Posted on 1/16/16 at 2:17 pm to Kajungee
No fan, it is actually just a small closet light. So you think I can tie two of the blacks together and then hook up to the new switch? I can try it.
Posted on 1/16/16 at 2:19 pm to Htown Tiger
Is the light switch inside the closet?
Posted on 1/16/16 at 2:20 pm to Htown Tiger
I probably should add that when I tried it before without hooking it up, not only did it not work for that light, but the adjacent bedroom light and an adjacent hallway light also didn't work.
Posted on 1/16/16 at 2:21 pm to roadGator
quote:
Is the light switch inside the closet?
Yes it is.
Posted on 1/16/16 at 2:25 pm to Htown Tiger
Do you have a meter? You're gonna twist two together but you'll want to know what's what first.
Posted on 1/16/16 at 2:28 pm to Htown Tiger
Do you know how to determine the hot coming into the switch and the hot comimg out?
Did you label the black wire that was on its own on the side terminal?
Did you label the black wire that was on its own on the side terminal?
This post was edited on 1/16/16 at 2:34 pm
Posted on 1/16/16 at 2:34 pm to roadGator
I do have a meter. So I want to combine the cold black with one of the hot blacks?
Posted on 1/16/16 at 2:35 pm to Htown Tiger
It's probably another leg going to something else. In that case, put it with the other black and you should be good.
This post was edited on 1/16/16 at 2:38 pm
Posted on 1/16/16 at 2:35 pm to roadGator
quote:
Did you label the black wire that was on its own on the side terminal?
Yes I have that one marked. I'll try to combine with the other hot black.
Posted on 1/16/16 at 2:37 pm to Kajungee
quote:
by Kajungee
What he said
Posted on 1/16/16 at 2:40 pm to Htown Tiger
Load side takes wire from new switch and it sounds like a hot to other rooms.
Switch side goes to light in closet.
If you labled the wire by itself that should power the closet light
Always label the wires and take pictures before removing them. We amateurs need pictures.
Im no electrician but you just have to think about the path the electricity is following.
Posted on 1/16/16 at 2:42 pm to Htown Tiger
No! That sounds like the one to the closet light. It stays by itself. Its "post" switch.
You need the two pre switch wires together. One to power switch and one to other rooms
You need the two pre switch wires together. One to power switch and one to other rooms
Posted on 1/16/16 at 2:55 pm to roadGator
quote:
roadGator
I'll take a look and compare to my setup. Thanks!
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