Home Improvement: Installing Motion Detector Light

[SZR48207]

Hi All,

Hope this subject isn't too astray from BITOG, but it seems like we have a lot of skilled craftsmen here.

I want to beef up security on my home. The front of the house has plenty of lights, but the sides and backyard can get VERY dark at night.

Normally, installing some of these motion detector lights wouldn't be an issue, if you already had light fixtures in place. I do not have any existing fixtures on the sides of my home. I do have a back porch light, but I would actually prefer to leave it alone.

Will I need to call an electrician? I have a general knowledge of working with wiring, but no idea as far as safe-proofing against fire, etc..

If this is something I can tackle on my own, will I need to obtain a permit or get the work inspected to pass city approval?

Thanks.

 

[scoobie]

If you do ur own work on ur own home, u don't need a permit. this is a very straight forward job, all u need to do is to string the cable to where u want to mount the lamp, install an external box certified for external use, and then mount the lamp to the box. the lamp will have constant power to it, but will only turn on then triggered, so u won't need to go to the trouble of wiring a switch in to it. make sure the bare copper wire ground is connected to the box, as a safety measure. use standard connectors that are certified for the gauge of wiring that ur using, make sure that you know how to use these connectors PROPERLY!!! ask at the store if u don't know - they should tell you to make sure both (or all) of the wires being connected should BE FIRMLY INTO THE END OF THE CONNECTOR, before applying a twisting motion, that binds the wired together and locks them into place into the connector. BUY A HOT WIRE DETECTOR from WalMart - they cost about 11$ this little device will tell u whether the wire you are about to touch is live, or not. it is possible to work with live wires, but it sucks to be working with a live wire without realizing it, and ending up electrocuted. to be totally safe, just cut the power at the breaker box, and DO NOT WORK WITH LIVE WIRES, unless u are a certified electrician.

safe proofing from fire means making sure the wire connections will not get wet, because water will cause corrosion and corrosion creates a resistance, which creates heat, and a fire.
if a connection is sloppy and poor, then there will be a resistance - current flow across a resistance makes heat and fire. drawing more current from a circuit than what it is rated for, also makes heat, and possible fire.
by making all ur connections sound and tight, and by not overloading the circuit, then u will be preventing a fire. wiring is generally very easy and a safe thing to do, if u use your common sense, obey the rules, and work patiently and take the time to do good quality work.

 

[SZR48207]

Thanks scoobie! Just what I was looking for.

 

[mpvue]

Originally Posted By: scoobie
If you do ur own work on ur own home, u don't need a permit. this is a very straight forward job, all u need to do is to string the cable to where u want to mount the lamp, install an external box certified for external use, and then mount the lamp to the box.


um, down here in the states, most municipalities DO require a permit for most anything you do in your own house(not that most people do). in my area, generally replacing an existing fixture does NOT require a permit, but installing new boxes or outlets DOES require a permit.
although it is pretty straightfoward, there are dangers, hence the need for qualified work.
this website is pretty good, I'm sure there are others:
http://www.doityourself.com/stry/h2installelecwiring