Discuss How to change normal circuit for lighting to a light sensitive circuit? in the Lighting Forum area at ElectriciansForums.net

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I have garden lights and lights on my fence that I would like to arrange for them to switch on automatically when the sun sets for security purposes. I currently have switches for all the lights on the fence and the garden lights are huge LED appliances that are also hooked up and switched on by switches. I am a mechanical engineer therefore I have a small background in using LDRs, however, I do not know where to install the LDR and how to have it outside somehow so that it can detect the darkness. I would really appreciate it if anyone could help me with this!
Thanks!
NA
 
If you search for "Photocell light Switch" or "Daylight Dusk till Dawn Sensor" you should find several suppliers of switches for lights. They are mounted outside and have a light sensor and usually an adjustable threshold for the dark switch on point.

Typically they can switch a moderate amount of LED lights (say up to 250W or more) but you would need to select a model you can get locally first to find its specifications.

Usually the only complication is if you want fancy control over what lights are automatic and what are on manual switching. But in principle a photocell switch is a replacement for a light switch and is wired in series with a simple switch so you have a manual means of isolating the power as needed.
 
To add to the above, you would also need to find out how the lights are wired up to the switches, as you have more than one switch.
How many switches do you have?
How many lights do you have?
Whats the Wattage of all the lights?
Do they all belong on the same circuit?
If you know how they are wired up then draw a simple diagram and post it on here. We can then help more.
 
If you search for "Photocell light Switch" or "Daylight Dusk till Dawn Sensor" you should find several suppliers of switches for lights. They are mounted outside and have a light sensor and usually an adjustable threshold for the dark switch on point.

Typically they can switch a moderate amount of LED lights (say up to 250W or more) but you would need to select a model you can get locally first to find its specifications.

Usually the only complication is if you want fancy control over what lights are automatic and what are on manual switching. But in principle a photocell switch is a replacement for a light switch and is wired in series with a simple switch so you have a manual means of isolating the power as needed.
Perfect!
Thank you, I'll look into that!
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To add to the above, you would also need to find out how the lights are wired up to the switches, as you have more than one switch.
How many switches do you have?
How many lights do you have?
Whats the Wattage of all the lights?
Do they all belong on the same circuit?
If you know how they are wired up then draw a simple diagram and post it on here. We can then help more.
Thank you for your reply,
I'll check out the wattage and the # of switches and I'll answer back. I don't think they are all on the same circuit since I have a system where the upper floor has a different circuit breaker box, but I'll also look into that.
Thanks!
 

Reply to How to change normal circuit for lighting to a light sensitive circuit? in the Lighting Forum area at ElectriciansForums.net

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