Decent PIR light switch or alternative

[drpepe]

Hi

We have had a utility/wc installed in our terraced house - it has no external window.

Due to our own indecisiveness, we have changed the opening orientation of the door to this room mid-build, so that now the light switch is behind the door when it is opened.

One option I though of was to have some kind of movement sensor so the light goes on when the door is opened. This is actually quite practical as we have 2 young children who can't reach to switch height anyway. If the sensor also has a standard switch on it to permanently have the light on, mores the better.

Can anyone recommend a product please? I 've had a look on amazon and many on there are either seemingly unsafe imports, or require mains power too. We would like to just replace the standard light switch using the same wiring if possible.

 

[ericmark]

I think this

type of PIR can replace existing switch and would likely do the job?

 

[Taylortwocities]

If the switch is behind the door then a PIR located at that point would not "see" you until the door has been closed. Not the best plan.

If you have "loop in" wiring at the light, then I suggest you put a PIR up on the ceiling and wired into the light fitting itself. The existing switch could stay as an over-ride, incase you wanted to have a long sit to catch up on those back copies of GQ magazine.

 

[bernardgreen]

Similar problem in my daughter's new house. There the quick answer was to move the switch to the other side of the wall directly behind the existing switch so the light can be switched before going into the room.

The wires were not long enough to go through the wall to the new switch. Rather than use a terminal block to extend the wires the old switch was changed to a 2 way and the old and new switches were wired in a 2 way circuit so the lamp can be controlled from both inside and outside the room.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Due to our own indecisiveness, we have changed the opening orientation of the door to this room mid-build, so that now the light switch is behind the door when it is opened.

PLAN A:

Move the wiring and the switch to where it now needs to be.

PLAN B:

Install a PIR, and when you finally cannot stand it any longer move the wiring and the switch to where it now needs to be.