Closet light.... switches

[electricmanscott]

I have a need to install a bunch of door jamb switches for closet lighting. Open door, light comes on.


Any suggestions?

Maybe penguins like refrigerators use?

 

[iwire]

I suggest motion sensors, much easier to install then a door jamb switch.

 

[mdshunk]

Several companies have them, but they seem to all be made by the same OEM. The one's I use come in a P&S box. Get yourself a nice sharp new chisel. No room for error. More artwork than electrical work.

edit
BTW... there's a UL listing issue with some of these, if I remember rightly. Some guys use an alarm guy ball contact and put a relay in the knockout of the closet light junction box and do it low voltage. Much easier that way, but more material.

 

[walkerj]

We have always left the box on the stubout at rough in and let the trim carpenter install it in the door.
I am not a woodworker.

 

[mdshunk]

We have always left the box on the stubout at rough in and let the trim carpenter install it in the door.
I am not a woodworker.

I guessed he was talking about old work. Maybe not.

 

[electricmanscott]

Brand spankin' new construction. A bunch of closets with bifold doors. Not sure if thety will even work with that type of door.

I'll cut them in, and I will charge accordingly. :wink:

 

[ItsHot]

door adjustment

door adjustment

Brand spankin' new construction. A bunch of closets with bifold doors. Not sure if thety will even work with that type of door.

I'll cut them in, and I will charge accordingly. :wink:

I would guess if the doors are adjusted just right the switch will work.

 

[mdshunk]

Brand spankin' new construction. A bunch of closets with bifold doors. Not sure if thety will even work with that type of door.

I'll cut them in, and I will charge accordingly. :wink:

You might use an alarm guy magnetic switch for that application, and do the light switching low voltage. Seems like that would work pretty well for bifolds.

 

[stickboy1375]

Get with the times, use low voltage...

http://www.tequipment.net/RemconRC-120S.html




These are the lights I recommend because the relay fits perfectly inside of them...
http://www.justvanities.com/Progress-Lighting-P7008-30-PG4104.html





Use N.C. magnets in the door.

 

[mdshunk]

You beat me to it. I was ready to post a picture of that exact relay.

 

[stickboy1375]

You beat me to it. I was ready to post a picture of that exact relay.

I didnt even know they still made hardwire jamb switches...

 

[mdshunk]

The Remcon relay is cool, because it has a bult-in transformer with the realy. Just like the WattStopper style relays the occupancy sensors use.

 

[mdshunk]

I didnt even know they still made hardwire jamb switches...

They do, but most every one is a repackaged Edwards A502, no matter who's name is on the box. As far as I've learned, none of them are UL listed. The Leviton 1865 is one that isn't a repackaged Edwards, and appears to be the only line voltage jamb switch with a UL listing.

 

[stickboy1375]

The Remcon relay is cool, because it has a bult-in transformer with the realy. Just like the WattStopper style relays the occupancy sensors use.

Yep, I just did a house that had every closet with one installed, must have been at least 20+ closets in this house... rough in was a piece of cake, the trim was a little difficult. But, ONLY because the carpenters decided to drill the magnet where they felt like it, not where I roughed it in... DOH!!!

 

[stickboy1375]

They do, but most every one is a repackaged Edwards A502, no matter who's name is on the box. As far as I've learned, none of them are UL listed. The Leviton 1865 is one that isn't a repackaged Edwards, and appears to be the only line voltage jamb switch with a UL listing.

Home Depot carries these...

 

[mdshunk]

Home Depot carries these...

Yeah, HD and Lowe's both have that switch in the Gardner Bender package, and it's an Edwards 502A also.

http://www.edwards-signals.com/index.cfm?pg=3&level=48&pid=82&tab=0

edit... I note the UL mark on that package... I wonder if they've added grounding provisions for them lately? They must have. That was the hangup before. Maybe they're "for replacement use only", and still don't have grounding provisions?

 

[stickboy1375]

Yeah, HD and Lowe's both have that switch in the Gardner Bender package, and it's an Edwards A502 also.

But its UL listed...

 

[cadpoint]

Just remember that you have to send the signal some where!

I'd go with the second photo shown!

 

[electricmanscott]

Here is another LV setup. Maybe made in someones basement but looks ok. :grin:

Mehtinks LV is the way to go.

 

[mdshunk]

But its UL listed...

Yeah, but as a "special use switch"

From the UL:

A special-use switch is intended for factory installation in equipment and is not intended for field installation or field replacement of a similar switch.

These requirements also cover replacement switches which are intended for field replacement of special-use switches used as part of devices and appliances.