Occupancy Sensors

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megawatt

Member
Location
Central Kentucky
Has anyone had much experience with installing the ceiling mounted occupancy sensors, in an "After the builder" retro situation ?
I have been asked to price a job to add several to a Church's bathrooms, and wondered if they could be easily wired into the switch leg, or do they require a neutral to operate ?
I have replaced several wall switches with the sensors, but not the ceiling mounted type.
I have reasearched Leviton, RAB, Hubbel etc. Anyone better than the other ? Thanks to anyone who replys.
 
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partyman973

Member
I have installed both Leviton and Hubbel and had no problem with either. Yes, in both cases you will need a neutral. Both have a power pack that will need mounted in the j-box where the switch leg is. The power pack has both the contacts for switching off the lights and a low voltage output, usually 24 volts I think, for powering the ceiling mounted sensor.
 
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CopperTone

Senior Member
Location
MetroWest, MA
Wattstopper - look them up online

we did a retro fit recently - used all different styles - some that install in the switch location - some need neutrals - some don't. low voltage ceiling mount with a line/low voltage power pack relay - you need to familiarize yourself with their products a bit to understand how they install - which generally is pretty easy - you do need to trace out some wiring to find the feeds for the switches and lights.

their tech support on the phone is great too - I even had a rep come to the job site and walk through the whole job and give recommendations for the different styles to install - picked his brain the whole time and learned a lot about the product.
 
LarryFine

LarryFine

Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
Location
Henrico County, VA
Occupation
Electrical Contractor
MW, what is the wiring method between the switch and the ceiling box it runs into, and are you sure there's no neutral?
 
C

Cow

Senior Member
Location
Eastern Oregon
Occupation
Electrician
I just did a library occupancy sensor retrofit using a combination of ceiling mount sensors/power packs and wall switch sensors. I used Wattstopper/Legrand. So far they seem to be working well.:cool:

The dual sensing wall switch type, better for large bathrooms, use a neutral. For small bathrooms, you can get away with the single sensing infrared type that doesn't require a neutral. I was fortunate that everything had been piped/boxed so I was able to fish neutrals down to the switches that didn't have them.
 
M

megawatt

Member
Location
Central Kentucky
Thanks

Thanks

Thanks to all, these comments have been insightfull, and very helpfull.
I have looked at RAB's model LOS2500, and they seem to have the features I think are needed in this situation. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone !
 
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