outdoor lighting switch?

[rust bucket bronco]

I am installing lights on the exterior doors of my shop and was wondering if I could do this without installing a switch. The light above the garage door is going to be an dusk to dawn light and the light above the man door is going to be a motion detector light. These are going to be on the same circuit. Could I install these without using a light switch, or is that against code?

Curt

 

[LoneGunman]

Nope, no switch required if you don't want one. I do prefer to have a switch also control the motion light so I can keep it on if needed.

 

[Kevin54]

Check on the motion light. I know that on my dad's house that deer sometimes sets his off in the early morning and also lightning will activate his. Depending on the time and situation, his might be on during the day. For him to reset it, he has to use the switch. I don't know what brand he has but was going on what he told me.

 

[Falcon67]

Use a switch on the motion light - you'll find it handy at some time and it's also required to reset the sensor. I suppose you could use the breaker for a reset, but that's kinda swatting flies with a howitzer.

 

[4-RunDog]

Code here is eather way, I put mine on a switch because sometimes I want it to stay off. If you dont have a switch it would be alot more of a pain to turn off.

 

[ArthurPE]

I like to install a 3 position switch: on-off-auto...
costs a bit more but gives you some control...takes 3W and the right fixture so you can bypass the motion sensor or PE cell..

 

[Charles (in GA)]

I like to install a 3 position switch: on-off-auto...
costs a bit more but gives you some control...takes 3W and the right fixture so you can bypass the motion sensor or PE cell..

Most fixtures with motion sensors, if you want to force the light on continuous all you need to do is flip the switch off, then back on after a second or two. To go back to auto, turn it off, wait about 15 or 20 seconds and turn it back on. Want it off, turn it off. Thats how mine work, and others I've seen that friends and neighbors have.

Charles

 

[ArthurPE]

Most fixtures with motion sensors, if you want to force the light on continuous all you need to do is flip the switch off, then back on after a second or two. To go back to auto, turn it off, wait about 15 or 20 seconds and turn it back on. Want it off, turn it off. Thats how mine work, and others I've seen that friends and neighbors have.

Charles

most of the ones I work with are commercial fixtures,GE, Cooper, etc., arm or mast mounted...
used at say a sewage pump station, etc...
the PE sensor is usually a plug in option...

the residential ones I've seen usually have a little switch on them, but with modern electronics to do what you described would be easy...

 

[thdewey]

I know that the only light that I didn't put a switch on, I wish that I did. For motion lights, you can turn them on by turning the switch off for a second and back on. It stays on until morning. Then the automatic cycle continues. ALWAYS put a switch when you can.