How to Install Outdoor Motion Sensor Lights

Security lights are the most effective deterrent against unwanted visitors, but they serve an equally important purpose as a convenience tool for your own arrival home. A properly installed motion-sensing fixture eliminates the need to fumble for keys in the dark and ensures your exterior is well-lit exactly when you need it. Done well, this project is a simple upgrade that balances safety with energy efficiency. Focus on the height of the mounting and the adjustment of the sensor's range; a light that triggers every time a car passes on the street is more of an annoyance than a security feature. Take your time with the electrical connections to ensure a weather-tight seal against the siding.

  1. Kill the Power First. Locate your home's electrical panel and flip the circuit breaker serving the exterior light to the off position. Verify the power is dead by using a non-contact voltage tester on the existing fixture wires before touching them.
  2. Clear the Old Hardware. Unscrew the existing light fixture from the wall or junction box and pull it away from the surface. Carefully disconnect the wire nuts, untwisting them to release the black (hot), white (neutral), and copper or green (ground) wires.
  3. Anchor the Bracket Solidly. Secure the new mounting bracket provided with your sensor light to the electrical box using the included machine screws. Ensure the bracket is level and centered over the box opening.
  4. Match Colors, Lock Tight. Match the wire colors from the light to the house supply: black to black, white to white, and green or bare copper to the ground screw on the bracket. Secure each connection with a clean wire nut and tug gently to ensure they are locked tight.
  5. Seal Against the Weather. Tuck the wires back into the junction box, taking care not to pinch them. Align the fixture housing with the bracket screws and secure the housing using the decorative nuts provided by the manufacturer.
  6. Dial In the Sweet Spot. Turn the power back on at the breaker and walk in front of the sensor to trigger the light. Use the dials on the bottom or side of the sensor head to adjust the sensitivity (range) and the duration the light stays on.