As the world moves towards a digital life, everything in our home is getting automated too. However, having a motion sensor with lights is a cool feature to have in your house.
Moreover, you can install a sensor in your home all by yourself. However, if you don’t know how to wire a motion sensor to multiple lights, then this article will help you. Continue reading to know everything about installing a motion detector in your home.
Precautions
If you’re doing this for the first time, wait a moment. Wiring a motion sensor is an easy task if you have previous experience with wires. Otherwise, it can be risky for you. That’s because if anything goes wrong, electric wires can cause severe destruction.
Therefore, if you don’t know electrical works, we suggest you take help from an experienced friend. However, if you’re familiar with these works, continue further.
Nonetheless, before starting, you should take some precautions, including:
- Turn off the power of the bulbs. However, bulbs can have multiple power sources. Therefore, use a voltage tester to check if there’s any current.
- Avoid working with wet hands.
- Ensure the wires are in good condition and there’s no leak.
Materials You Need
Every work requires certain tools and materials. And if you don’t prepare them before starting, the working process will be lengthier. Therefore before you start wiring the motion sensor with lights, ensure that you have the following materials ready:
- A motion detector with a threaded interface.
- Some wire nuts to gauge the cables.
- A screwdriver.
- Wire strippers/Pliers.
- A voltage tester.
- An electric tape.
Once you’ve these tools ready, you can start working.
How to Wire a Motion Sensor to Multiple Lights
We hope you’ve taken all the precautions and prepared the tools by now. However, wiring motion sensors to a single light are pretty easy. But wiring to multiple lights is a bit complicated. Nonetheless, we’ve a detailed step-by-step guide for you. Follow the instructions below to wire a motion sensor to multiple lights successfully:
Step 1: Prepare the Bulbs
The first step is preparing the bulbs for work. However, this is quite a simple task. You need to remove all the bulbs from the fixtures. Then also remove the fixtures. That’s because you will be wiring there.
Step 2: Get the Motion Tracker
So, once the lights are ready, get the motion tracker you’re going to use. Get it out of the box. Besides, you will see a rubber gasket with the tracker. Then you need to take all the cables through the gasket. Also, get them through the knockout hole of the lightbox. However, leave some space there to screw the motion sensor.
Step 3: Wiring
Now comes the most crucial part, wiring. However, you need to have at least some knowledge of wires here. Otherwise, this step may seem tough for you.
Nonetheless, the motion tracker has three types of wire, including white, black, and red color. And they all have distinct features. Besides, the light and house also have three wires, including white, black, and ground wires, with the same work.
Now follow the instructions below carefully:
- At first, join the white wire of the motion tracker with the white wires of both the fixture and the house simultaneously.
- Then connect the black cable of the tracker with the black cable of the house.
- After that, join the red cable of the motion tracker with the black cable of the fixtures.
- And finally, connect the ground wires.
After connecting all the wires, carefully wrap them with electric tape. However, keep one thing in mind, the whole sensor installation process depends on this wiring step. Therefore, follow the instructions very carefully and don’t make any mistakes. Or else you will have to repeat everything.
Step 4: Check Everything is Right
At this moment, you’re almost done. However, checking everything once again is a good idea to avoid failure. Hence, inspect the wiring and taping. Also, check the powers.
Step 5: Reinstall the Bulbs
Now finally, reinstall the bulbs on the fixtures. And also, face the motion tracker in any direction you like. After that, check if the sensor is working fine. Follow the sensitivity to know if it’s okay. Also, inspect the time control system to ensure everything is performing well. And it’s done.
These were the five easy steps of installing a motion sensor with multiple lights at your home. However, if you don’t feel comfortable with the process, you also can hire professional electricians. This will ensure that you don’t cross with any danger.
FAQs
Can you Add a Motion Sensor to an Existing Light?
Answer: Yes, you can add motion sensors to existing lights. Moreover, it applies to multiple lights too. However, a remote motion tracker is a better deal. Besides, not only lights, you can connect them with any electric tools.
Can you Cover a Motion Sensor?
Answer: People often want to limit the ability of a motion sensor. Therefore, the best way to do it is to cover them. And yes, it is possible to cover a motion sensor. However, the best practice here is to cover them with black tape. Many customers have said it works fine.
Do LED Lights Work with Motion Sensors?
Answer: Yes. LED lights work excellent with motion sensors. However, today’s advanced technologies have attached the motion tracker with LED lights.
Conclusion
We have explained how to wire a motion sensor to multiple lights very simply. Therefore you should face no problem regarding doing it. However, electric works have always been risky. Hence, read the article repeatedly if you need. But try to avoid making mistakes.