Photocell hook up

The photocell, sometimes referred to as a photoresistor or light-dependent resistor (LDR), is a two-terminal, resistive component that increases or decreases its.
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Keep in mind throughout the instructions that "photocell" is just another name for the photoelectric switch.

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Here are instructions for two different installation techniques. The first is installing a new light fixture that comes pre-wired with a photocell.

The second is adding a photocell to an existing light fixture. Turn off the power to the circuit you will be working on. Place a strip of the electrical tape over the breaker that controls the circuit.

Install a Photoelectric Switch

You can also tape a sign to the door of the electrical panel box stating "Keep Out - Working on Electric! Remove the bulbs from the existing fixture. Use the screwdriver to remove the bolts holding the fixture to the box. As you remove the second bolt, make sure to hold onto the fixture so it doesn't fall away. With the fixture hanging by the wires, use your voltage tester to ensure that the power is still off. With one hand holding the fixture, use your other hand to unscrew the wire nuts and separate the wires. There should be one black and one white wire. Remove the old fixture. Light fixtures with pre-wired photoelectric switches are installed just like a regular fixture.

If your new fixture requires a mounting bracket, it will come packaged with one and instructions on how to install it. It may also come with a soft, waterproof gasket. Install it as per the instructions as well. Use the needlenose pliers to cut away the weathered part of the exposed wire ends in the box.

On most wire strippers there is a guide on the side that shows how much insulation should be stripped.

Photocell hook up. Dock Builders Supply - Power Pedestals

To make it easier, line up the black wire of the new fixture and the black box wire and twist them together using the needlenose pliers. Place a wire nut over them and screw it on until tight. Do the same thing with the white wires. Cut a 3" piece of electrical tape and tightly wrap it around the wire nut where it meets the wires. Gently push the wires back into the box. Connect the fixture to the box with the bolts supplied. It may be easier to start tightening the bolts by hand so you can line the holes up and then tighten everything down using the screwdriver.

The sensor picks up on the availability of light and will direct power to the lights when less light becomes available. These sensors are great for putting in fixed night lights, outdoor lights, and any other application where you would only want the lights on when it is dark. Not to mention, think about all the savings you can have by not accidentally leaving a light on! Like most switches, you will have a power in and a power out, AKA your line and load. Now on a photocell sensor, it will look different than your standard switch, or even a 3-way switch. Most of us are used to seeing the terminals and wiring them up accordingly.

On a photocell, you have wires preinstalled instead of the screws you would typically fasten your appropriate wires to.

Wiring a Photo cell. (Dusk to Dawn)

On the photocell, you will find a white, black, and red wire. The first thing to do is turn off the breaker for the circuit you are working on! Once that is done you can start playing with all of your wires. Now locate all of your ground wires.

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Splice these all together, wire nut them and push them into the back of the box. This should make it much easier to see what you have going on inside the box. Now go ahead and grab all the white wires you have in the box.


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  • Photocell hook up. Dock Builders Supply - Power Pedestals.

These are your neutrals. Now, look at the box. Locate the black wire that is supplying your power in. So, the black wire that is supplying your power in, will be tied to the black wire on the back of the photocell. This is VERY important that you attach the appropriate wires together. The last thing you would want to do is accidentally attach your line power in to the load power out side of the switch. While it may work at first, it will damage the switch and you will be doing this all over again.

Once you have your grounds tied together, your whites neutrals tied together, and your black power in wire attached the black wire from the photocell, you are ready to tackle the red wire. Now, you should be left with one red wire coming from the photocell and some additional black wires left in the box.