connecting a light sensor to a lamp outside? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 06, 2019, 11:27:12 am
content: Hi.I have a question that is a bit silly to ask here(since this is a forum for enthusiasts and such).I bought a light sensor on ebay but dont really know how to install it.There r three leads coming off it,white,red and black.(pic)The lamp i want to control with it has a blue and a brown lead.(its not grounded)(pic)I will also include a diagram from the items listing on ebay.I would be very grateful if someone could help me with how to connect it!p.s. pictures r too large to be uploaded,sorry.but here is imgur links to all three,in same order-Thanks in advance.

author: soldar
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 06, 2019, 03:28:16 pm
content: Google says...

author: MarkF
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 06, 2019, 05:20:38 pm
content: Maybe this will helpWRONG! DO NOT USE!

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 06, 2019, 05:35:06 pm
content: That sensor doesn't look as if it could be safely used outdoors - not with individual single-insulated wires sticking out of the bottom like that!Does it claim any kind of IP rating?

author: soldar
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 06, 2019, 05:40:49 pm
content: Maybe the best advice is to hire a licensed electrician.

author: soldar
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 06, 2019, 06:46:53 pm
content: Quote from: MarkF on May 06, 2019, 05:20:38 pmHow did you choose the colors of the cables? I believe everywhere in Europe the standard for neutral is blue and live wires can be brown, black, etc. There is no white.

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 06, 2019, 07:19:53 pm
content: He's following the US standard where Black is Live and White is Neutral. The diagram is included in the OP's 3rd Image link too, so presumably came from the seller.Edit: Although on the lamp side, Brown should be Live and Blue, Neutral.Edit: I'm still worried by the OP's physical picture of the sensor - you just can't have short single wires sticking out like that for an outdoor installation.

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 06, 2019, 07:58:24 pm
content: Quote from: ddmeltzer8 on May 06, 2019, 07:44:55 pmQuote from: ddmeltzer8 on May 06, 2019, 07:45:59 pmYes I did. My worry is that, even under a roof, driving rain can cause water entry, that's why I asked about IP rating. My worry about the wire lengths is that it does not look long enough to form a 'drip loop' to prevent water entry into the light - the wires need to enter from underneath. Yes it definitely needs additional insulation, yes heatshrink might do.I'm sorry, but looking at the situation makes me uncomfortable.

author: Mr.B
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 06, 2019, 08:01:57 pm
content: Yes, MarkF is correct with his diagram where your country uses Black for phase and White for neutral.The picture of your light is confusing as it looks like it is wired incorrectly for the colours.I would have expected Brown and Black to be connected together, Blue and White connected together.In some limited circumstances with some light fittings, it does not matter which way round.However, IMHO, it is good practice to correctly wire the fitting according to your country colour codes, even if it does not matter.I also share Gyros concerns about ingress of water.

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 06, 2019, 08:04:11 pm
content: Quote from: ddmeltzer8 on May 06, 2019, 07:49:45 pmIt seems to tie up with the diagram you posted - the only difference is that the lamp Brown ought to connect to the Red wire (switched live) and the Blue to Neutral (White) although it doesn't really make a difference in the case of a simple lamp.P.S. You will need to replace the existing 2-way terminal block with a 3-way one to connect the sensor but I'm sure you realize that.

author: Mr.B
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 06, 2019, 08:19:59 pm
content: Quote from: Gyro on May 06, 2019, 08:04:11 pmUnless the lamp is ES.In New Zealand the centre pin must be phase and the outer threaded ring must be neutral.Other countries may or may not have this requirement.

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 06, 2019, 08:40:18 pm
content: Very good point!

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 06, 2019, 08:50:33 pm
content: I agree that this sensor doesn't really look like a great physical design. I think I would cut a hole in a box and seal the sensor in it so that the base and wiring is concealed. You can also get compact photocontrols with the sensor in a threaded fitting that pokes through a hole in the light fixture or junction box they are installed inside. The USA color coding on a device sold for the 240V European market does not instill a great deal of confidence either. Might be worth having a look inside the thing to see if it's reasonably constructed.

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 06, 2019, 09:28:49 pm
content: There's also the issue that the short wires are going to put the sensor right next to the lamp - the OP could well end up with a flasher!

author: soldar
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 06, 2019, 11:11:08 pm
content: Quote from: Gyro on May 06, 2019, 07:19:53 pmI know what the US colors are. I was asking about the colors of the wires he added in his diagram.The device is for 220 V but the colors are for the US market. The added cable colors should be for the country where the OP is located.Seeing the questions being asked by the OP my advice would be "don't do it". If he insists then "Don't do it alone, have someone else watching you and with a phone in hand ready to call the fire department or the ambulance ... or both".

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 06, 2019, 11:34:04 pm
content: 240V photocells are common in the US too, although not normally in the domestic market. A lot of streetlighting is 240V, and along the highways it's normally 480V although the latter would not use individual photocells.

author: MarkF
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2019, 12:40:51 am
content: I just used the colors as currently used in your picture.I'm in the USA and don't know the standard in your country. Follow your country standards.Agreed with others on water safety. Here, I would have used one that screws into a box and makes it waterproof.Your model looks like a pole switch. But, the wires are awful short.

author: MarkF
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2019, 01:13:46 am
content: Revised wiring...The "old" colors vs "new" colors seems to match the colors used in your picture except the feed wire has white instead of red.If the old standard (black) is neutral connected to the new standard (blue), I would wire it this way.Some else here with more knowledge in your country should verify.You could measure the voltage between the green ground to the white and black wires to determine which is the line and which is the neutral.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2019, 03:48:59 pm
content: I don't know how it could be made any less confusing, the photocontrol is a simple switch with the addition of a neutral wire since it needs power itself. Black and red go to the relay inside the thing and these connect between the live wire from the wall and the live input wire to the lamp. The white wire is neutral and joins the neutral wire from the wall where it connects to the neutral to the lamp. Since you also know what color wires in the existing structure are for neutral and live, you have all the information you need.If this still does not make sense then I highly encourage you to hire a licensed electrician, or at least find a handy person who understands electrical wiring because while it's not particularly difficult to do, this stuff can kill you or start a fire if done wrong.

author: MarkF
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2019, 05:07:30 pm
content: Quote from: ddmeltzer8 on May 07, 2019, 02:10:53 pmIassumeyou understand my last drawing??A quick check if the white wire is the line wire before you take anything apart would be worth while.I would not have any concerns using the Aneng 8008 myself. But, the fact that you ask the question RAISES CONCERNS.Iassumeyou know how to connect up the meter and can safely measure AC voltage?Just make sure your fingers are away from the metal tips on the probes and that you DO NOT short any wires!Are you comfortable doing the work? {Ask more questions.. Get someone to install it..}We ALL know whatassumemeans?

author: soldar
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2019, 07:55:47 pm
content: Quote from: MarkF on May 07, 2019, 05:07:30 pmFrankly, all his questions point to a person who is totally unqualified for the job and my recommendation would be to get someone qualified to do it and learn from them.If you cannot read that simple schematic you are not qualified for the job. You are most probably not qualified to make safe and reliable connections and to insulate them correctly, and to make sure the work conforms to local electric code regarding conduit, junction boxes, etc.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2019, 10:26:01 pm
content: While perhaps lacking tact, he's not wrong. Electricity can kill you, people are electrocuted by 240V mains on a regular basis and many houses burn down due to wiring faults. This isn't something to be done carelessly, you absolutely have to know what you're doing to be able to do it properly and safely.

author: soldar
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 08, 2019, 07:09:02 am
content: Quote from: ddmeltzer8 on May 07, 2019, 09:13:55 pmSeveral people in this thread have told you the same thing. We are just trying to warn you of danger but you just ignore all our warnings. As they say, fools rush in where angels fear to tread.And you could learn some manners too.