How To Wire a Motion Sensor To Multiple Lights?

In these modern days, everybody is concerned about safety. A motion sensor is the best choice for those who want more security regarding their properties and themselves as well. The motion sensor not only lights on when a motion is detected but also finds an object or a human being getting close enough to it's range. So, you can sleep every day without any problem. If you want to install a motion sensor with all lights in your surroundings, this is the right place to get the instructions. This article explains how to wire a motion sensor with multiple lights.

How to Wire a Motion Sensor to Multiple Lights?

First, we will know about the benefits of wiring a motion sensor to multiple lights.

•  Security

Mostly, the motion sensor would be preferred for security concerns. As lights will turn on when a motion or object is detected, you can see a clear view of your surroundings.

•  Energy Efficiency

With the motion sensor, the energy will be saved more. Normally, this detector helps to turn off your lights when there is no object or human being for some time. Furthermore, you can go with energy-efficient lights for reducing the costs even more.

•  Flexibility

Nowadays, motion sensor lights are perfect everywhere not only in the outdoor areas. You can use them in front, backyard, sides and anywhere surrounded by your house.

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Materials Needed

You will be required some tools and materials to complete this motion sensor wiring process. So, before starting wiring the motion sensor with multiple lights, you must keep the below things ready.

•  A motion sensor with a threaded interface.
•  Screwdriver
•  Wire strippers or pliers
•  Wire nuts to gauge the cables
•  Voltage tester
•  Electric tape

How to Connect a Motion Sensor to Multiple Lights in your Home?

Now, learn to wire a motion sensor with multiple lights in your building.

1.  Prepare the bulbs

First, you must think about safety from electrical hazards. So, turn the power off to the lights at the circuit breaker for preventing electrical shocks.

After that, you have to remove the lights where you need to install the motion sensor from their fixture.

2.  Disassemble the fixture

Take a screwdriver and disassemble the light's fixture to get access to the wiring. However, before proceeding with the wires, you should check the voltage with a tester to know the status of a circuit. If it does not trigger the light or beeping sound, then consider it a good sign to go for the rest.

Now, you have to continue the process by disconnecting the wire connections that set the fixture to the wall cables. There may be wires that lead to the other fixtures along with these connections.

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3.  Remove knockout

Next, you will remove the knockout on the wall box which holds the motion sensor by using a hammer or screwdriver. Moreover, you can do this by unscrewing or tapping it out.

4.  Set the Rubber Washer

•  This is an optional task because some sensors already have the rubber washer attached from the moment you get it out of the package.
•  To set manually, slide the washer over the motion sensor's wires over the threaded nipple.

5.  Mount the Motion Sensor

This is the time to mount the sensor. Grab and insert the motion sensor wires through the knockout hole. After that, screw the motion sensor with the light.

Ensure that the sensor would be tight for preventing potential issues. If you didn't get pre-existing threads, then you need to attach the motion sensor to the wall box using the lock nut which is given in the package.

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6.  Prepare and Connect the Wires

In this process, wiring is an important task so you must be careful. With wire strippers, you will need to remove the insulation from both ends of each wire which you will get in the received box. Normally, you have to remove 3/4" of insulation for establishing solid and secure connections.

You can find red, black and white wires with the motion sensor. Leading to the next fixture should be a black, white and ground wire. Finally, the black, white and ground wires should be coming out from the wall.

Black wires

Give a connection from the wall black wire to the sensor's black wire. Secure both wires tightly with a wire connector. After that, wrap with electrical tape around the connection and it helps to keep it safe.

White wires

You have to attach the white wire of the wall to the motion sensor's white wire. Next, connect the white wire that leads to the next fixture with the white wire of the current light fixture. Then, use electrical tape to wrap around it to secure the connections.

Ground wires

As we said before for black and white wires, the ground wires connections need to be done. Also, secure the connections using an electrical tape and wire connector.

Red wire

The wire of the motion sensor needs to be connected with the black wire of the present fixture. After that, attach the black wire that leads to the upcoming fixture. And, secure the connections with electrical tape.

7.  Keep Everything Back

Once you finish all wiring, checking everything again is a good thing to prevent failures. So, you should inspect taping, wiring, power, etc. And, keep the wires back inside the wall box.

At last, reinsert your bulbs on the fixtures and face the motion detector in your required direction. Give the power to the lights at the circuit breaker and check if the motion sensor is working fine.

Summing-Up

Above are the easy steps to wire a motion sensor to multiple lights. However, if you are not comfortable with this process, you can hire a professional to complete the task. Hope, our guide on how to wire a motion sensor to multiple lights helped you more and done your job easily.

occupancy & detection, viewing angle, range, battery, etc.

Occupancy and Temperature Detection

Here, you can see the occupancy and temperature detection of Ecobee smart sensors and room sensors.

These sensors will detect temperature and occupancy and communicates those data readings into the smart thermostat.

In occupancy detection, the sensor uses infrared technology to detect body heat signatures.

The occupancy will be detected depending on the person's continued presence within the sensor's viewing angle. If you spend more time in front of a particular sensor, then the ecobee assigns more weight to that sensor's readings.

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Communication

Ecobee smartsensor and room sensor uses 915MHz radio waves. They will not use Wi-Fi for secure and energy-efficient communication with your ecobee thermostat.

Range and Viewing Angle

Range:

• Ecobee smart sensor is capable of communicating with the thermostat up to a range of 60 feet.
• Room sensors can communicate with the thermostat to a range of 45 feet.

Even if you don't have a big house, there can be obstacles and barriers that can degrade the pairing range. Thick walls, different floors, baby monitors, cordless phones, etc. can lower the range on the same 915 MHz frequency. So, it's better to have a longer pairing range.

Viewing Angle:

Ecobee smart sensor has 140° horizontal and 100° vertical viewing angles. An occupancy sensor is accurate to a distance of 20 ft. And, the occupancy viewing distance is 20 feet.

• For optimal placement for pet immunity, the wall mount should be at a height of 6.5 feet.
• For optimal placement for temperature readings, you have to set it at a height of 4 feet.

The viewing angle for the room sensor will approximately be 120° horizontal and 25–30° vertical.

Battery

The smart sensor is powered by a single CR-2477 coin-cell battery. This battery will work as good up to 5 years and is easily replaceable. However, a high or low ambient temperature can reduce the battery life.

The ecobee room sensor is powered by a single CR-2032 coin battery. This battery will last up to one year and is easily replaceable. Moreover, ecobee thermostats can support up to 32 room sensors.

Final Words

Okay fine. While seeing Ecobee smart sensor vs room sensor, we recommend smart sensor as it has better occupancy range and faster detection. Moreover, you can pair it with the ecobee app from anywhere in your home. so that it will give enhanced whole-home comfort.