Lights with motion sensors have long been the standard for outdoor security lighting. They save money because lights aren't left on all night and they add the element of surprise to alarm would-be intruders. Indoors, motion detectors are all about convenience and saving energy. There's no need to hunt for the switch upon entering a dark room, and you never have to turn off the switch when your hands are full -- when no one's in the room, the light turns off automatically after a preset time delay. Motion-detecting options for indoor lights include battery-powered LED fixtures, screw-in fittings or replacing a standard wall switch with a motion-sensor switch.
Instructions
1. Turn off the power to the switch's circuit at the home's service panel, or breaker box.
2. Remove the switch cover plate by unscrewing the screws holding it in place. Unscrew and remove the mounting screws securing the switch to the electrical box. Pull the switch carefully from the box, without touching any wires.
3. Verify the power is off by touching one probe of a circuit tester to the switch's grounding screw and the other probe to each of the screw terminals. Then disconnect the circuit wires from the switch. Remove the switch.
4. Confirm that the motion-sensing switch carries the same voltage and amperage ratings as the old switch. Connect the new switch to the circuit wires, following the manufacturer's wiring diagram. Typically, motion-sensor switches have wire leads that connect to the circuit wires with plastic wire connectors.
5. Tuck the connected wires into the electrical box. Mount the switch to the box with the screws provided. Position the new cover plate over the switch and screw it into place.
6. Restore power to the circuit. Test the switch. Set the time delay for the shutoff function, following the manufacturer's directions.
Tags: circuit wires, cover plate, following manufacturer, Remove switch, switch circuit