Wiring a door jam switch to a motion sensor?

14 years ago

I would like to use a door jam switch to turn on a motion sensor (flourescent) light switch. I would like it to work like this. When I open the door the light comes on, when I close the door the light stays on as long as there is motion in room. When I open the door to leave the room and then close the door again, I would like for the light to go off. If the light stays on till the timer times out, that will be OK but not preferred. I have been looking at a Levitron IPP15-1LW switch and I am wondering if this will work with a standard 2way door jam switch. Hope someone can help.

Grangerman

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Comments (8)

Ron Natalie
14 years ago
I'm confused as to why the jam switch is needed at all, or do you want the lights to be on if the door is open and there is no motion? If so, put the two switches in parallel.
grangerman
Original Author
14 years ago
Yes, I would like for the lights to be on when the door is open as well as when I close the door (only to go off when there is no motion.) The IPP15-1LW will only come on if you flip its front panel switch. Forgive me but I am somewhat electrically challenged. Can you sketch me a wiring diagram. Most of the motion switches I have looked at will not operate flourescent lights, that's why I am considering the IPP15-1LW.
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Ron Natalie
14 years ago
Wire up the IPP15 according to the instructions as if it were the only switch.

Then, connect one wire from the door jam switch to the IPP15 red wire and the other wire to the IPP15 black wire.

When the door jam switch is on, it will turn the light on regardless of what the IPP15 is doing. If the IPP15 decides the light should be on, it will do so regardless of whether the door jam switch is on or not.

Here is a link that might be useful: Leviton IPP15-1LW info.
grangerman
Original Author
14 years ago
Awesome, I really appreciate the help! I called Leviton earlier today and they said this could not be done. I guess they just wanted to get rid of this part time DIY'er. Thanks again!!!
pjb999
14 years ago
Most door jamb switches that I know of (I work in security installations) are only rated for small voltages, as found in security panels. Make sure they're rated correctly.

What you're proposing sounds incredibly cumbersome, to say the least. Have you also considered what happens when you power up and power down most motion sensors? That usually signals them to lock themselves in the on position, so if the door is opened and closed a few times, it may cause the light to stay on. What's wrong with just relying on the motion sensor?
btharmy
14 years ago
I too am confused as to why even bother with the door jamb switch at all. It does not serve any purpose that would not already be covered by the motion sensor alone, except for adding more work, more cost, and just another item to troubleshoot down the road.
Ron Natalie
14 years ago
Who said anything about switching power to the motion sensor. The suggestion was to connect the other switch in parallel to the load side.

Yes make sure the jam switch can handle it, but I have seen such rated switches, they're fairly stout metal push buttons that mount on the hinge side.
fotostat
14 years ago
When you walk in the room, you open the door and the light will come on, but the light will go off as soon as you close the door, and it will stay off until you set off the motion detector which will then take over and keep the lights on for the set amount of time.

Knowing this, why would you want the door switch?

Wiring a door jam switch to a motion sensor?

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Wiring a door jam switch to a motion sensor?

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Ron Natalie

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