How to Install a Motion Security Light
- 1). Make sure there's no power running to the area where you will install your new motion security light fixture. Flip the appropriate circuit in the breaker box to the "Off" position.
- 2). Rotate the light bulbs in your existing fixture counterclockwise to remove them from the sockets.
- 3). Use your voltage tester to ensure there's no power running through the lines before you start to handle the electrical wiring. A voltage tester has two prongs. Place one on the brass threads inside one of the empty sockets then place the other prong on the bottom of the same empty light socket on the center metal tab. The voltage meter will display "No Power" or the needle will remain stagnant if there's no power. If there's no power, you may safely proceed.
- 4). Disconnect the existing light fixture from the wall by unscrewing the screws in the light fixture base, then pull the fixture away from the wall. Pulling the base away from the wall will allow you to see all the wiring.
- 5). Untwist the wire nuts that hold all of the electrical wiring from the house to the electrical wiring that's part of your existing light fixture. Untwisting the wire nuts will disconnect the wiring.
- 6). Remove the light fixture completely, since there are no wires connecting it to the house, and set it to the side.
- 7). Screw the mounting strap in place over the existing electrical box, then hang the watertight gasket. The mounting strap helps ensure your light fixture secures to the wall, and the watertight gasket protects the electrical wiring from moisture. The mounting strap and the watertight gasket come with the motion detector light that you purchase.
- 8). Ground out the fixture by running your bare copper wire, which is the ground wire located in your electrical box, to the green screw in your new motion sensor light fixture. Rotate the copper wire to the right to form a loop, then tighten that loop around the green screw. Tighten the green screw to secure the ground wire in position.
- 9). Wrap wire nuts around wires from your house and wires from your new motion light fixture to connect the two together. The black hot wires will connect together, as will the white neutral wires.
- 10
Tuck your electrical wiring into the electrical box, then secure the base of your new motion detector light to the wall using the screws provided. - 11
Turn your circuit breaker "On" to restore power to your new motion security light.
