I am trying to wire a Dusk/Dawn sensor into my covered porch light. My problem is the sensor has Black, Red, White wire and my light has Black, White and Ground wires. Which wires connect?
Wiring in a Dusk/Dawn sensor to the porch light
light-fixturewiring
Related Solutions
Depending on the device you're installing, the installation can be a bit different. Consult the installation guide that came with the device, to determine the proper wiring.
I've randomly selected installation guides from a couple available devices, and I'll show the differences. Keep in mind that your device may vary, and you should consult the documentation with your device.
Lutron
The Lutron installation guide, shows this wiring diagram.
Which seems very straight forward.
- Connect the Black (common) wire to the Black (common) wire from the device.
- Connect the Red (traveler) wire to the Blue (traveler) wire from the device.
- Connect the White (traveler) wire to the Black (traveler) wire from the device.
Leviton
The Leviton Installation Guide, shows a bit more complicated diagram.
They even provide a troubleshooting section, to help you get the thing working correctly.
NOTE:
This is just a small sample of the available devices, consult the documentation that came with the specific device you are trying to install for proper installation instructions.
There is no way to tell what to connect to. It depends on how they wired it. I think it is safe to assume you should connect to the single black since it is in that box by itself like that. And yes, you would connect to the white and green with the other two wires. The instructions are not sparse, they show what you need to connect to. They do not know or care how your house is wired, nor should they. I will say, that box for the porch light is NOT appropriate. That is a collar box meant to mount onto an existing flush box. The wood of the logs is exposed to the back side of the box.
I also see a hole in the back of that collar box. Is this new light meant to be inside or out? If outside you'll need to replace that existing Wiremold collar box with a regular box, then run a cable from the back of the box into the back of a flush box outside.
Related Topic
- Wiring a ceiling fan with black, white, red, green in ceiling box and two wall switches
- Electrical – New Light Wiring SNAFU
- Electrical – Wiring IKEA light fixture into old fixture
- Wiring – Replace a motion-sensor/timer with simple single pole switch
- Electrical – Wiring Light Fixture with 2 Sockets into Junction Box with 2 White, 2 Black, and 1 Red Wire
- Wiring – Ceiling Fan w/remote, capped off red – but now dawn to dusk sensor on porch only stays on
- Electrical – Replacing light switch with motion sensor switch
- Wiring – Bathroom Exhaust Fan with Light – Wiring
Best Answer
On the sensor black should be LINE, the ungrounded (hot) feed. Red should be LOAD, the supply to the light. White should be neutral, and green is ground.
The black wire coming into the box, should be the ungrounded (hot) feed (likely from a switch). The white wire should be neutral, and green/bare is ground.