Single fixture outdoor light with two wall switches
stdspd11
| Posted in General Discussion on
I have an exterior light fixture that uses two separate wall switches. With a regular bulb it works fine and you can turn off and on from either switch. I put in a bulb with motion detector built in and the light will not come on at all from either switch. Is it the triggering mechanism used to adjust motion vs just on failing because of the 2 switches? The motion bulb works just fine in other fixtures, just not the one with 2 wall switches. Any advice would be very helpful!
Replies
Time to look at (and measure) the wiring at the socket. (if you know what you are doing around wiring....if not, you would need to call an electrician)
So you think it’s a bad wire situation? A regular spot light bulb works fine in the fixture, only the motion detection spot light does not work. Could the wiring effect the normal use of the motion detection bulb?
motion sensors are sensitive to not having proper grounds.
You said it works in other sockets. the difference is the wiring.
3 way switches should only complicate the hot wire path. the neutral and ground should be solid, connected to each other at the service panel. (where they also are tied to earth ground)
Your problem (not issue) seems to be in your expectations of how it should work. If every thing works OK with a standard light bulb. Then you put in this MAJIC motion detector bulb and it doesn't work like you expect? Think about it! In order to work it must have POWER. So if you shut it off with your switches IT WON'T WORK!
It should work as expected if your switches are set to deliver power to the MAJIC light. Then It will come on when it senses motion. But it may not come on if you flip either switch.
I believe you have a situation that will not work as you want it to. So my advice is to
give up on this idea and re think the motion detector application!
Marvin F. Malm PE(ret)
I’m not sure what you are referring to when you say MAJIC?? Are you trying to say Magic? Neither switch turns it on and there is a switch combination of On, off for 30 secs, on that is suppose to make the light turn on regardless of night/day or motion. Can you give a logical reason why you don’t believe my situation will work?
I thought he said the bulb worked in a different socket, (which I assume would have a switch)
there are lots of these bulbs for sale, and some have a light detector to prevent the light coming on in the daytime.
Let me clarify, The bulb works in other sockets with a single switch. It is also a smart bulb and according to the directions when not paired to any system works by flipping the switch on, off for 30 seconds and then on to make the light stay on, night or day, regardless of motion. It’s also has directions to turn it off and on 10 times to make it blink and put it in pairing mode. None of these work, the light has never come on or blinked or anything no matter how you maneuver either of the switches (which are located in two separate rooms, not one wall switch). It did all of the above in a separate socket with only one switch. The socket with two switches will turn on a plain spotlight from either switch with no problem. I hope this clarifies things.