Countdown timers for hallway light with two switches

[sammon287]

I have very limited knowledge of residential wiring. I'm trying to find a way to have countdown timer switches for a stairway light that has one switch downstairs and another upstairs. The switches I'm finding are single pole and not for three way applications. This is the type I was looking at: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Defiant...ll-Timer-with-Ground-Terminal-30469/206264395 A motion activated switch or spring loaded dial won't work for the application. The linked item would work fine, but specifically says on the packaging that it's for one light/one switch use only. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[dw1]

I have very limited knowledge of residential wiring. I'm trying to find a way to have countdown timer switches for a stairway light that has one switch downstairs and another upstairs. The switches I'm finding are single pole and not for three way applications. This is the type I was looking at: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Defiant...ll-Timer-with-Ground-Terminal-30469/206264395 A motion activated switch or spring loaded dial won't work for the application. The linked item would work fine, but specifically says on the packaging that it's for one light/one switch use only. Any advice would be appreciated.

Why wouldn't an occupancy sensor work?
https://www.homedepot.com/s/occupancy+sensor?NCNI-5
what happens if you set the time wrong and were still in the room (on the timer), the occupancy sensor would see movement and turn back on (or stay on). You can set them for 2-5-10 minutes (I think) as long as it didn't see anything, it would turn off the lights.

 

[matt_i]

I think what you have to do, in concept, is to wire a 3 way circuit for the switches.

Where the "output" of the last 3 way switch goes to the lighting load, is where you have to install a Timer-OFF Delay.

Imo, the problem will come on the day when you need to have the lights on constantly for some need (let's just throw out painting the wall as an example) and there's no "bypass" feature.

 

[cybrdyke]

Intermatic EI400. Exactly what you're looking for. Electrical supply house will order it for you.
Good luck,
CD

 

[Bluevista]

You need two three way occupancy sensor deal switches, they do make them.

Don't put those switches in commercial lavatories with toilet stalls, people hate it when they're sitting there and the lights go out.

 

[CJ7VFR]

You need two three way occupancy sensor deal switches, they do make them.

Don't put those switches in commercial lavatories with toilet stalls, people hate it when they're sitting there and the lights go out.

One of the places I worked at had those in the men's room, but for some reason, according to some female coworkers, they were not in the women's bath rooms.

Anyway, I know what you are saying! Most of the sensors were set for about 4 minutes. I can't tell you how many times I would walk into one of the men's rooms, the light would flick on, and I could hear someone in one of the stalls saying "Thank you".

Jim

 

[Falcon67]

You need two three way occupancy sensor deal switches, they do make them.

Don't put those switches in commercial lavatories with toilet stalls, people hate it when they're sitting there and the lights go out.

X2 - use one in the laundry room. It can be set for several time outs - at least 1, 5 and 10 min IIRC. We have it set for 5. Yes, it's a !@#$ when you're trying to get the dryer hose back in place and the room goes dark while you're bent over the dryer.

 

[sammon287]

Why wouldn't an occupancy sensor work?
https://www.homedepot.com/s/occupancy+sensor?NCNI-5
what happens if you set the time wrong and were still in the room (on the timer), the occupancy sensor would see movement and turn back on (or stay on). You can set them for 2-5-10 minutes (I think) as long as it didn't see anything, it would turn off the lights.

Motion activation won't work. The switch at the bottom of the stairs faces the living room and would be tripped all the time when no-one is using the stairs. One to five minutes would be enough for the people in my house to go up or down the stairs without leaving that light on all day every day like they do now.

 

[sammon287]

Intermatic EI400. Exactly what you're looking for. Electrical supply house will order it for you.
Good luck,
CD

This looks like it should work. Looking at the diagram, I would only need one in line with the other existing switch? https://www.intermatic.com/-/media/inriver/6831-8214.ashx/EI400-Specifications-EN