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Motion Sensors- For Recessed Porch Lights

If you are like me and have a porch with recessed can lights, but want them to come on with a motion sensor, then this simple solution is what you need.  This will work for more than just recessed porch lights too, in fact, it will work with any light that uses a standard switch.

You can't add traditional motion sensors to recessed lights.  You also can't add a motion switch to your porch lights, because the switch is inside.  In this post I will show you how you can still have a motion sensor turn on your lights, even if you are using recessed lights.

Materials Needed

This solution requires only two devices:

Insteon Motion Sensor II

Insteon Motion Sensor II

Insteon Dimmer

Insteon Dimmer

Instructions

This solution requires that you work with electricity, by replacing a switch.  If you are not comfortable with that, you should contact an electrician.

Never work on a live circuit.  Always follow the proper electrical codes for your area.

Vocabulary

Load Wire- The wire going to your light.

Line Wire- The wire coming from your electrical pane

Replacing the switch

The first step is to replace your porch light switch with the Insteon dimmer light switch.

  1. 1
    Make sure the power to the switch is off at the circuit breaker.
  2. 2
    Remove the plate and switch from the box.
  3. 3
    Using a wire nut, connect the black wire on the Insteon dimmer switch to the black line wire.
  4. 4
    Using a wire nut, connect the red wire on the Insteon dimmer switch to the black load wire.
  5. 5
    Using a wire nut, connect the white wire on the Insteon dimmer switch to the white neutral wires.
  6. 6
     Using a wire nut, connect the bare ground wire to the other ground wires.
  7. 7
    Install the new switch into the electrical box with the screws provided.

Linking the Motion Sensor to the Switch

Now we need to link the motion sensor to the switch, so that it can control it.

  1. 1
    Turn the power back on to the switch, by turning the breaker back on
  2. 2
    On Motion Sensor, press and hold the set button until its LED begins blinking green
  3. 3
    On the Insteon switch, turn on the lights by tapping the top of the paddle.
  4. 4
    Now press and hold the set button on the front of the Insteon switch until it beeps.  The light on the motion sensor should stop blinking.

The motion sensor should now control the switch.  To test it, simply tap the set button on the motion sensor.

Mount the Motion Sensor

The next step is to mount the motion sensor.  The Insteon motion sensor is wireless and battery operated, so it needs to be installed within 100ft of the switch.

  1. 1
    Locate a spot to install the motion sensor, so that when someone steps onto your porch, it will activate your lights.
  2. 2
    Using the hardware provided mount the motion sensor.  There are a few different moutning options available.

Conclusion

Using an Insteon motion sensor and switch is an easy way to add motion sensor capabilities to any light, but it works really well for recessed porch lights where you can't use a traditional motion sensor.  I hope this post helped.  Please see my YouTube Channel as well, and please leave a comment or question below.

About the Author Tim

Has a degree in Computer Engineering. Owned an electrical and electronics integration company that specialized in electrical, home automation, home entertainment and solar. Has been involved in IT his entire career. Lives in Vermont with his wife, two kids, and sheepdog. Enjoys: time with his family, the outdoors, electronics, DIY, Mustangs, Raptors and vacationing at Walt Disney World.