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OT Electricians: Question about 3way motion detector switches
Posted on 7/10/17 at 10:26 am
Posted on 7/10/17 at 10:26 am
Looking to add a motion detector switch to my shop. I currently have a standard 3way switch at each side entrance. I want to add a motion sensor switch, do I need to change both switches to motion detectors or can I just swap out one of them?
2
Posted on 7/10/17 at 10:31 am to reveille
I don't think they work with two of them. I think you have to just install one switch that has motion detection, and probably leave the other one in the on position if it is already wired for 3-way.
Posted on 7/10/17 at 10:34 am to TU Rob
Rob is correct , I would cut out the 3 way loop entirely
Posted on 7/10/17 at 10:49 am to TU Rob
Great, thanks Rob and BRye
Posted on 7/10/17 at 11:17 am to reveille
The best way to think about this set up would be to think of the sensor in a single pole application. The mechanical switch will get rewired in a way where all it is doing is sending a signal to the sensor and telling the sensor to turn the lights on or off. If the light is turned on at the switch, the sensor will still look for motion and if it does not see any in the time out period, it will turn the lights off.
Posted on 7/10/17 at 11:43 am to reveille
a motion detector only switches one circuit so all you have to do is wire it up to one of the switches
you can also hook up the motion light directly to the light without a switch from any power source to work off of motion AND leave the lights wired up as they are without messing with the switches at all. the lights come on when motion is sensed, they time out and go off, if you want the lights to stay on you go to the switch as you normally do and tun them on to stay on.
you can also hook up the motion light directly to the light without a switch from any power source to work off of motion AND leave the lights wired up as they are without messing with the switches at all. the lights come on when motion is sensed, they time out and go off, if you want the lights to stay on you go to the switch as you normally do and tun them on to stay on.
This post was edited on 7/10/17 at 11:47 am
Posted on 7/10/17 at 12:05 pm to keakar
quote:
motion light directly to the light without a switch from any power source to work off of motion AND leave the lights wired up as they are without messing with the switches at all
If understand what you are saying, and may not be, wouldn't two sources of power going to the same light potentially result in 240v at the light?
What I mean, if he doesn't mess with the current 3-way switches at all and then wires in his new motion switch from a different power source which may happen to be the opposite 120v leg as the original 3-way switches. When power is sent to light from manual 3-way then subsequently the motion switch is activated thus sending power from a different 120v leg from which the manual switch is currently sending power then you would have two different hots coming together to produce 240v.
If he wires in the new motion switch on the same 120v leg as manual switches then all should be good though.
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