3-Way Photoelectric Circuit

[blackbriar51]

Could someone please help me with the wiring of this circuit?
I posted a diagram of what i need. I understand basic wiring etc..
I'm just not sure how to tie it all together in an efficient manner.

What i want to achieve is for the single photo-eye to turn the lights off and on at dusk and daybreak inclusive to the 3-way switches to turn that portion of the circuit off if need be for service etc..

To my own embarrassment, they have been burning 24/7 for who knows for how long? YEARS! This is one of many that should have been taken care of years ago.

All the lights are 40W and the photo-eye that i have is 300W i believe but can check or replace as needed.

Thanks for all the advice in advance,
Cheers,
Stuart

 

[TheEquineFencer]

Just for starters, you do not "turn that portion of the circuit off if need be for service etc..", you cut the breaker off.
Next question, please explain shall we say "theory of operation". When does the dusk to dawn control the light and when does the three-way control the circuit? Where is the power feeding this circuit coming in from? Which switch or device?

 

[TheEquineFencer]

If you want the Photo-cell to operate the lights dusk to dawn and be able to manually cut it off from the three-way circuit, I'd wire the D/D Photocell between the wires going OUT to the load from the three-way that feeds out to them. If you want to be able to manually leave them on and override the D/D switch, you have a problem. the other thing, I'd make sure the circuit and devices are capable of handling a 100W bulb in each fixture other than the 300W fixture. Picture this, you're gone, the lights are out and the wife only has 100W bulbs. This is just off the top of my head.

 

[blackbriar51]

Just for starters, you do not "turn that portion of the circuit off if need be for service etc..", you cut the breaker off.

I understand this, perhaps my wording, wanting to turn a specific light off with a switch, say to change out a lightbulb

"theory of operation". When does the dusk to dawn control the light?

Through a photoelectric eye

"theory of operation"when does the three-way control the circuit?

The photoelectric eye is controlling the circuit, not a 3-way, the only way the outdoor lights would be energized is through the activated photoelectric eye, it is the main switching source.
Perhaps 3-way switches are not needed for this.
The primary goal is to provide a constant temporary power source for each outside lighting fixture using the photoelectric eye as the main switch to turn ALL 4 lights off and on..

"theory of operation"Where is the power feeding this circuit coming in from?
Which switch or device?

Probably the established back door porch light switched circuit,that is where the photoelectric eye will be installed around that general area, there is not really anything on that circuit except a refrigerator and the back porch light and one duplex receptacle.
If i should need to pull a new separate line from the panel the space is available. This is about 160w-220w for the four lights.
The photoelectric eye is rated 300w

 

[blackbriar51]

Picture this, you're gone, the lights are out and the wife only has 100W bulbs. This is just off the top of my head.

That's pressing the boundaries of "Six Sigma ODDS" , but i have seen some logic defying circumstances that makes us think fearfully in that direction, but then that's why compressed air cylinders also have a copper pressure burst disc located in the base of their on/off valve, just in-case.

 

[TheEquineFencer]

I'm guessing there is or was at least one switch that turns this circuit on; irregardless, find the wire feeding the photocell, wire it so the photocell turns on/off and sends power out to all the other lights. All the other lights are paralleled. If there are multiple switches it'll be a little different. PM sent also.