Outside lights help

[binky]

ok, you are better off having time clock before photcell, cos otherwise the time clock doesn't have a permanent live to keep the time. From the live feed (permanent live) of the time clock you can take line to the key switch. From the key switch the switched live then goes to either the switched live terminal in the photocell or straight to the light itself.

You could also go from the permanent live to timeclock, to keyswitch and back to the switched terminal in the clock, thereby by-passing the time clock itself but not the photocell, or you could take a live feed from the DB to the key switch and straight to the light. Just depends on what is easiest to install.

The advantage of second method is that if someone forgets to switch light off at key-switch it isn't on all day, but personally I prefer a by-pass to by-pass all controls as this can be handy for maintenance purposes ie you can prove the light is working or not without interference from the controls.

Other options are available :^O

NB with the clock before the photocell, you may notice that when the clock switches on, the lights come on for a few seconds whilst the photocell decides if it is daylight or not.

your next challenge is working out cables, 2 core / 3 core or something else???

 

[Tony S]

For goodness sake just buy a timer with two switched outputs. It’s simplicity after that.

God knows where it is but somewhere in this black hole of a computer I’ve got a drawing of this set up.

 

[Waggsnald]

For goodness sake just buy a timer with two switched outputs. It’s simplicity after that.

God knows where it is but somewhere in this black hole of a computer I’ve got a drawing of this set up.

My boss wont simplify things for me

ok, you are better off having time clock before photcell, cos otherwise the time clock doesn't have a permanent live to keep the time. From the live feed (permanent live) of the time clock you can take line to the key switch. From the key switch the switched live then goes to either the switched live terminal in the photocell or straight to the light itself.

You could also go from the permanent live to timeclock, to keyswitch and back to the switched terminal in the clock, thereby by-passing the time clock itself but not the photocell, or you could take a live feed from the DB to the key switch and straight to the light. Just depends on what is easiest to install.

The advantage of second method is that if someone forgets to switch light off at key-switch it isn't on all day, but personally I prefer a by-pass to by-pass all controls as this can be handy for maintenance purposes ie you can prove the light is working or not without interference from the controls.

Other options are available :^O

NB with the clock before the photocell, you may notice that when the clock switches on, the lights come on for a few seconds whilst the photocell decides if it is daylight or not.

your next challenge is working out cables, 2 core / 3 core or something else???

Thanks, was going to use 4 core flex - perm live, switch live, neutral and earth

 

[leesparkykent]

Blimey bit long winded  :innocent  just wire the over ride switch in parallel with the switch live from timer/photocell.

 

[leesparkykent]

and another thing why do you need to override key switch? The timer will normally have an over ride function.

 

[Waggsnald]

Blimey bit long winded  :innocent  just wire the over ride switch in parallel with the switch live from timer/photocell.

Been given 4 core flex off electrician at work for it. Ever likely he wouldnt help with circuit . Just says i should know what to do even though ive never done this before

 

[Tony S]

My boss wont simplify things for me

Is this a sort of homework question set by your boss?

I used to get the same but I didn't have the internet.

 

[Waggsnald]

and another thing why do you need to override key switch? The timer will normally have an over ride function.

Because the client as asked for one. Its a schnieder timeclock and all he has to do is press middle 2 buttons for 2 seconds. My boss agreed to keyswitch.

Is this a sort of homework question set by your boss?

I used to get the same but I didn't have the internet.

No i wish it was. Its his way of chucking me in the deep end and seeing how i go. Would be better to show me and explain

 

[kerching]

I would switch the output of the photocell through a normally open pai on the time lock.....otherwise the photocell will pulse on when it receives its feed from the tec.. Not a major issue but it stops people moaning about why the lights keep coming on for 30 seconds when it is daylight ( this is the time the to is set to 'on' at)

+1 to a switch to override the cell for testing

however Mr Merlot has arrived early tonight with his distant cousins Mr Chamblais and Herr Kopparberg...it has been a long day so I am on the milk of amnesia :Y

 

[leesparkykent]

some of the ways mentioned will bring the lights on for a few seconds when timer kicks in whilst the photocell decides if its day or night. Best way would be to use a something like a box timer that requires live and neutral to power the time clock. The timer side would be a volt free contact so the photocell would supply one side and timer kicks in and closes the contact. this will stop the light coming on intermittently. like this perm live and neutral to terminal 5 and 4, switch live from photocell to terminal 3 and terminal 2 to lights which would also be wired in parallel with the over ride switch.

The override switch connect common to terminal 5 and load side of override switch to terminal 2....although seems a little pointless as the timer has an override function.

 

[Tony S]

however Mr Merlot has arrived early tonight with his distant cousins Mr Chamblais and Herr Kopparberg...it has been a long day so I am on the milk of amnesia :Y

Can't fault you on that issue.

 

[rapparee]

It's funny, i would have used a contactor that is either controlled by key switch or time clock/pir and then outside to the floodlights.

 

[Waggsnald]

The lights switch on ok via timeclock but if i set timeclock and it light the photocell doesnt switch off the lights? Any ideas what ive done wrong

When it becomes light 

 

[Sharpend]

So you have the out of the time clock feeding the photocell.?

 

[SLIPSHOD & SLAPDASH]

It sounds to me you have wired the photocell and timer in parallel, they should be in series.

 

[Tony S]

Sounds like the photocell goes in to test mode when the timer kicks in

 

[Rob_the_rich]

Make and model numbers of the equipment installed might be useful, so we can see if there are test modes, and if there are any special wiring requirements.

Sounds like you are against the clock though :innocent

 

[SLIPSHOD & SLAPDASH]

Here is a very very quick diagram of how i would have done the connections. Cpc's omitted for clarity. It doesnt matter where you make the connections as long as they are to the correct terminals, ie all at a joint box or at the timer etc.

View attachment timer.jpg

 

[Waggsnald]

All ok . My boss came out looked at install said correct. He said photocell not switching and replaced all ok. I wouldnt have found that , i would of thought something to do with wiring

Panic ended. Thanks for help. Im going for a beer

 

[SLIPSHOD & SLAPDASH]

Chinese equipment ?  Most photocells plug in, so easy next time to twist out to check (a few makes are fully hardwired such as the Steinel one)