Post Light Replacement question..

[xJoey Dubsx]

So I have a new post light assembly I am going to be putting on our existing post light. The post has a photo sensor for the dusk to dawn feature. I can not find the breaker that turns off the light though. My question is, if I am not replacing the sensor, just the light unit can I, during the day, change the unit out safely? I would assume there is a power, negative, and ground and the photosensor would kill the power at that point that I could do it, but not sure. Any help would be appreciated.

I have a multimeter I could test with, the harbor freight special, but not too familiar with how to use it, as bad as that sounds.

 

[G_P]

To do this safely, put a piece of tape over the sensor to make it think its dark out and turn the light on.

Then start flipping breakers one by one until the light goes off.

Technically there socket should have no voltage to it during the day but if you cast a shadow over the sensor while working on it the sensor may think its getting dark and suddenly the wires will become live. Not good if you are holding onto them!

Oh and if you are replacing the light because it no longer comes on chances are its the photocell sensor that is dead and not the fixture itself.

 

[xJoey Dubsx]

To do this safely, put a piece of tape over the sensor to make it think its dark out and turn the light on.

Then start flipping breakers one by one until the light goes off.

I tried this while it was dark out, and nothing in the house or garage turned it off. I'll try again tonight.

Technically there socket should have no voltage to it during the day but if you cast a shadow over the sensor while working on it the sensor may think its getting dark and suddenly the wires will become live. Not good if you are holding onto them!

Oh and if you are replacing the light because it no longer comes on chances are its the photocell sensor that is dead and not the fixture itself.

The light still comes on, just updating it, got an all new set of them that match and are in better condition. And yes, I would be doing this on the opposite side of the photocell to be safe.

 

[nmk_61802]

Kill the main Breaker and replace

 

[xJoey Dubsx]

Ick, then I have to reset all the clocks lol.

Guess safety is more important.

 

[Mustang51js]

If the light is off there's no power,and if there is just don't touch the bare copper on the end of the black wire. When you disconnect you do black,white,ground and when you hook up new you do ground,white then the black. Should take you 1 min if your just replacing light. It's just 3 screws and three wire nuts.

 

[Norcal]

Unless your comfortable working hot, don't do it, even if you are one is still better off w/ power off. So what if have to reset a few clocks.

 

[G_P]

Did you switch off each breaker or just try flipping wall switches? Chances are its on its own breaker or on the breaker for any outside outlets if you have them.

Hopefully someone did not hack the wire for the lights into the main feed going to the panel leaving it totally unprotected.

 

[rlitman]

Technically there socket should have no voltage to it during the day

Nope! That entirely depends on the sensor. Some sensors leak current through the bulb in order to work. With an open circuit (with the fixture removed), there would be full line voltage across the wires.

 

[APEowner]

Personally I'd be more than just a little concerned about where that light is getting power from. I'm not aware of any safe legal way for there to be power out there without it going through a breaker.

 

[cowboy73]

It could be a security light installed by the power company. They do not have a breaker and feed directly off the transformer, no meter. A monthly fee is attached to electric bill. They are responsible for maintaining it.

 

[Falcon67]

Personally I'd be more than just a little concerned about where that light is getting power from. I'm not aware of any safe legal way for there to be power out there without it going through a breaker.

X2 - I'd be finding out the power source before I did anything to that light. If you have to, call someone to do a locate.

 

[Mustang51js]

Is this a townhouse,condo or normal house. Some townhouse a have post lights that are on the landlords meter. Best to turn off main at night,if it's still on it's not on your meter.

 

[xJoey Dubsx]

Is this a townhouse,condo or normal house. Some townhouse a have post lights that are on the landlords meter. Best to turn off main at night,if it's still on it's not on your meter.

Normal home.

It could be a security light installed by the power company. They do not have a breaker and feed directly off the transformer, no meter. A monthly fee is attached to electric bill. They are responsible for maintaining it.

No extra charge I am aware of but no first bill yet.

Did you switch off each breaker or just try flipping wall switches? Chances are its on its own breaker or on the breaker for any outside outlets if you have them.

Hopefully someone did not hack the wire for the lights into the main feed going to the panel leaving it totally unprotected.

I clicked breakers, no luck, but didn't do every single one, which I will soon. If not, I'll try main.

 

[Mustang51js]

Yeah you need to check all the breakers, the labels don't mean anything because most times people just write down whatever when they label or general areas.