How do you add a motion sensor to an existing outdoor light fixture?

Answer 1

A typical motion detector has three wire on it. Black, White and Red. To install this on an outside light it get wired as follows. The White wire is the Neutral. It gets attached to the White feed wire and the white wire that hoed to the light. The Black wire feed power to the motion detector. It attached to the Black feed wire coming from the house. The Red wire on the motion detector is the switched wire. It get attached to the black wire coming from the light fixture. -------- Is the existing light fixture a decorative one? I ask because having been in security biz for long time, it's important to know the difference YOU WANT in your motion light (from a regular decorative fixture.) The purpose of a motion sensored light - for security purposes - is to startle the perp. when a bright light suddenly shines on him. You want him to think you're inside and you turned the light on him so he will run for the hills. Criminals don't like to get caught in the spot light or encounter homeowners. So that light should be VERY Bright and light up the space like daytime. You need a bright flood light, directed to cover a specific entrance area or door. You want it pointed down over the area so he is forced to put himself right where the light will hit him which is going to be close to the door or entrance he plans on using to enter the house. If light shines up and across a distance, it is easy to duck under it and move among the shadows. Any other type of fixture will not give you the results you want.