"DerbyDad03" wrote in message
...
On Apr 18, 6:32 pm, "RBM" wrote:
"BetaB4" wrote in message

...





I want to put in an occupancy sensor wall switch to control a new ceiling
light that uses a CFL bulb. The switch I want to get is a Leviton
PR-150-1L.

When I read the product specs online, it says it can be used to turn on
"incandescent and Rapid Start Magnetic fluorescent ballast lighting
loads". Here's the link to the product info:

http://www.leviton.com/OA_HTML/ibcGe...emId=qZ-ZWUgo7...

Is a CFL bulb a "Rapid Start Magnetic fluorescent ballast lighting
load"?
Nothing in the specs mentions CFL lighting fixtures, just "Rapid Start
Magnetic fluorescent ballast lighting loads" -- whatever that is.

Also, this light fixture is at the end of a wiring circuit. The existing
fixture is just a bulb holder with a pull chain to turn it on and off.
I'm going to eliminate that fixture, replace it with a CFL-bulb ceiling
light fixture (with no pull chain), and run a new wire from the light
fixture to the new occupancy sensor switch. I was thinking that to do
that, the new wire to the switch would be a "switch loop" since the
power
is at the light. I think that means that the switch loop will have a
black
wire at the switch and a white wire that is coded black -- in other
words,
essentially just two "black" wires at the switch and no neutral white
wire. Is that correct? Will I be able to wire the occupancy sensor light
switch with just these two "black" wires coming to the switch?

The CFL does not have a magnetic ballast, so most likely that motion
sensor
won't work. Your wiring scheme is correct however, I would run a three
conductor cable to the switch location, as some motion sensors do require
a
neutral. I'm not sure if anything is currently on the market that will
control a CFL, but in all likelyhood, it won't be long before something
becomes available. My guess is that anything that will control a load as
small as a CFL will probably require a neutral to operate, so be prepared
if
you're doing the wiring ahead of time



- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

What's different about a motion sensor that would prevent it from
operating any bulb screwed into a standard socket?

Doesn't it just close contacts that pass power to the fixture? How
would it know what's screwed into it?

(It's late and I haven't learned anything new today, so hurry up with
an answer!)


I think the manufacturers try to build devices like this to replace existing
switches. They get their power by allowing a small amount of current to flow
through the lamps that are being controlled, or some use a leak to ground
system. If the load being controlled is to light, not enough current can
pass through to operate the control without lighting the light. The devices
like this that use a neutral are much more versatile, but are limited to
locations where a neutral exists