PIR Wiring Instructions Useless

[itsthewifesfault]

My external PIR lantern hasn't worked for some time (since shortly after we moved in) and i've still got the wiring instructions but they are utterly useless. They only talk about the power wires not the sensor wiring.

The mains wires are ok, i've got them ; the lantern has the same three wires and I'm happy with them. The lantern also has three sensor wires coloured: black, red and white and the instructions don't even mention these!!!

I've had a go without much success (sounds dodgy) though did manage to get the light on constantly at one point, but at the risk of setting fire to the house or killing myself, I've stopped and now asking how do I wires all six wires up to the 4 block assembly so that it works properly?

Thanks.

 

[Iggifer]

Impossible to answer without having seen what it looked like before hand!

Each manufacturer will use a different colour combination for various things. If you managed to get it on permanently but it didn't work on the sensor, sounds like you're better off replacing the fitting as the PIR has more than likely failed anyway.

You could post a picture and if it's obvious we might be able to help you out, but it probably won't work anyway.

 

[securespark]

It is possible that you connected the incoming feed to lampholder, bypassing the sensor.

The internal wires should have been connected to the internal terminal block.

Usually on the internal side there are 2 neutrals connected to each other, one to the lamp holder and one to the sensor.

These are usually blue and connect to the incoming neutral which may be blue or black.

Also on the internal side are two wires that connect together to each other, one to the line side of the lamp holder and one which is only live when the sensor has detected movement.

These may be different colours (sometimes the wire to the lamp holder is white and the wire from the sensor is red) and don't connect to any external wires unless you have a manual override switch in the circuit (ie a switch that turns the luminaire on permanently until the switch is opened).

Lastly, on the internal side is the line feed to the sensor. It is often brown and connects to the incoming line which may be brown or red.

Don't forget to connect any and all earth wires together.

 

[Lectrician]

Failed sensor. Simple.