Can I bypass the switch on a motion light circuit?

[ncfireman1918]

Ok, so not strictly garage related, but I am hoping the experts here can provide some input. I have 4 motion activated flood lights, one on each corner of the house. They are switched in sets of 2, so 2 switches total. The switches regularly get turned off (wife and 10 year old son don’t pay attention to which switch they are turning off). I was origianlly going to replace the switches with the keyed commercial type, but haven’t been able to source them locally, and keep forgetting to search online. It occurred to me that I could just connect the wires inside the junction boxes, and bypass the switches entirely. I’d leave the switches in place, to take up the slot in the wall plates, they just wouldn’t do anything.

I’m not new to electrical wiring, so I’ve got all of the “switch off the breaker, check the voltage, use the correct wire nuts” kind of stuff down, I’m just wondering if anyone can think of a scenario where this is a bad idea? I can’t think of any reason it wouldn’t work. If I need to cut the power to reset a light, I can always use the breaker as my switch, and it shouldn’t be a fire hazard to make the proper connection within an existing electrical box, so I’m thinking it would be ok. Any input?

Thanks!
Chris

 

[jhelrey]

No issue. Just wire nut the two wires going to the switch assuming it's not a 3 way. I would use a blank vs a dummy switch.

 

[The Cobbler]

but occasionally you have to reset them don't you? you would have to do that from the breaker then

 

[rsanter]

They make,little plastic things that screw on with the cover plate and prevents flipping the switch, but can still be moved by loosening the screw a bit.

 

[jeffmattero76]

This might be a better option. They cover the switch, but are open on one side so you can stick your finger in when you need to operate the switch. That way, you have to intend to turn the switch on or off.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Amerelle-Switch-Guards-2-Pack-SG1/100628705


Sent from my SM-G530T using Tapatalk

 

[bwringer]

This might be a better option. They cover the switch, but are open on one side so you can stick your finger in when you need to operate the switch. That way, you have to intend to turn the switch on or off.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Amerelle-Switch-Guards-2-Pack-SG1/100628705


Sent from my SM-G530T using Tapatalk

This is what I use for the many confusingly wired lights in my house. Depending on where it's located, you can sometimes turn the open side so it's not easily visible to, uh, those who might provide unwanted interference.

Many motion detector lights can be controlled by flipping the switch off and on in a certain sequence, so it's best to have a switch.

But it's not required, and you can get a little blanking plate to neatly fill the hole.

Or leave the switch in place but disconnected to give them something mysterious to play with...

I put the fan and light in our guest bathroom on a motion detector with a timer to help, y'know, ensure household air quality.

After MULTIPLE protests, I put the light on a switch but not the fan just so that people would have something to flip on their way out. Most people have a strong habit of turning the light off when they leave the room, and got a little distressed when they couldn't, even after I explained the detector and timer.

 

[ncfireman1918]

I had not thought of the switch guards, I may have to swing by the orange store this weekend and pick up a pair of those. 4 screws is faster than wire nuts! Thanks!

 

[MountNMan56]

Just take the wires off of the switch and splice them together and put wire nuts on them. Done.