How To Add A Photocell An Outdoor Light

How to Add a Photocell to an Outdoor Light

Photocells are small devices that automatically turn on and off outdoor lights based on the amount of ambient light. They're a great way to save energy and extend the life of your bulbs. Adding a photocell to an outdoor light is a relatively simple task that can be completed in just a few minutes.

Required Materials:

Photocell

Electrical tape

Wire strippers

Screwdriver

Instructions:

1. Turn off the power to the light fixture. This can be done by flipping the breaker that controls the light or by unscrewing the fuse that powers it.

2. Remove the old light bulb.

3. Locate the wires inside the light fixture. There will be two wires, one black and one white. The black wire is the hot wire, and the white wire is the neutral wire.

4. Cut the black wire. Leave about 6 inches of wire on each side of the cut.

5. Strip the insulation off the ends of the black wire. Leave about 1/2 inch of bare wire exposed.

6. Connect the photocell to the black wire. Twist the bare ends of the photocell wires together with the bare ends of the black wire. Secure the connection with electrical tape.

7. Connect the white wire to the other side of the photocell. Twist the bare ends of the white wire together with the bare ends of the photocell wires. Secure the connection with electrical tape.

8. Screw the photocell into the light fixture.

9. Screw in the new light bulb.

10. Turn on the power to the light fixture.

Your photocell is now installed and will automatically turn on and off your outdoor light based on the amount of ambient light.