Last Updated on November 25, 2022 by Ellen Christian
Are you wondering how to install a motion sensor light switch? Learn more about how I tackled this easy DIY lighting project.
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How to Install a Sensor Light Switch
Did you ever walk into a room and ask yourself “Who left the lights on?” I know that’s something I do several times a day. Of course, no one admits to leaving the light on. They are absolutely positive that they turned it off.
I guess it must be the cats who forget to turn the lights off. I decided that installing a sensor light switch would be one way to tackle this problem. Since I’m the designated DIY gal in this family, it was up to me to learn how to install a sensor light switch.
I have done basic electrical DIY projects like installing our programmable thermostat so I knew I had the basic knowledge to tackle this project but I asked my Dad to come over to supervise since he has done this many times before.
This explanation is based on changing a traditional single pole switch to a Lutron Occupancy Sensor Switch for a single pole switch. You will need a screwdriver and a pair of pliers for the basic installation.
Motion sensor light switch installation
- Turn off the power at the breaker box to the light switch you are working on. This involves going down into the basement with the spiders. Do this quickly and bring a flashlight.
- Remove the faceplate from your light switch.
- Make sure the power is actually off by using a voltage tester. This is important. Don’t skip this step. You want to make sure the power is really out.
- Unscrew the switch assembly from the metal box it sits in and pull out the switch assembly carefully with the wires still attached. Look at the wires carefully.
- There should be three wires. There will be an incoming hot wire that is black (that’s where the electricity comes from) and a black return wire (that’s what takes the load to the fixture). There should also be a green wire. That is your grounding wire. The Lutron Occupancy Sensor Switch will not work if there is not a grounding wire. If you have no grounding wire, call an electrician.
DIY Note
As a note. I live in an 1865 farmhouse. Nothing in my home appears to have ever been done the correct way. When I removed the switch assembly, there were two black wires, one white wire, and one copper wire.
After talking to my husband and my father, I learned that the white wires were common wires or neutral wires and I should ignore them. The copper wire in my assembly was the same as a green wire would be in another switch assembly.
At this point, we realized that the copper wire was not long enough to connect with the green wire on the new switch assembly so my father needed to add more copper wire to make it long enough to work with.
- Very carefully, remove one wire from the old switch and attach the new wire from the Lutron switch using the wire nut or wire connector. Do this one wire at a time so you don’t get confused.
- Depending on the type of switch you had, you may need to unwrap the wire from around a screw and then straighten it before you attach the new wire using the wire nuts. My Dad did the first one to show me how and then I took over from there.
- Put the light switch assembly back into the wall carefully and screw it in.
- Attach the light switch faceplate.
- Turn power on and test.
The Lutron Occupancy Sensor Switch automatically turns lights on and off. It uses XCT Sensing Technology that makes sure lights stay on when the room is occupied. It also senses daylight and only turns lights on when they are needed. Finally, iIt works with all types of light bulbs and can save up to $25 per year in electricity.
I installed the Lutron Occupancy Sensor Switch in the master bedroom. Marty is disabled and often wakes up in the middle of the night.
With the Lutron Occupancy Sensor Switch, the switch will detect his movement and turn the light on so he can see where he is going.
Ellen is a busy mom of a 24-year-old son and 29-year-old daughter. She owns six blogs and is addicted to social media. She believes that it doesn’t have to be difficult to lead a healthy life. She shares simple healthy living tips to show busy women how to lead fulfilling lives. If you’d like to work together, email info@confessionsofanover-workedmom.com to chat.
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