Login|Contact Us
Question and Answer

Electrical

Ask an Electrical Question, Get an Answer ASAP!

  • Ask A Question
  • Browse Answers
  • Meet The Experts
  • How JustAnswer Works

Hooked up photoelectric light in yard. decided to use same

 
Mike G.'s Avatar
  • Answered by:Mike G.
  • Master Electrician
  • Positive Feedback: 96.8 %
  • Accepted Answers: 4670
Verified Expert
in Electrical

Recent Feedback

Positive
Mike G was very helpful, had very good insight. Would be glad to use his...
Positive
Type your review here...
Positive
Thank you for your help. I DID give feedback - but the JA website is having...
Positive
thank-you
Positive
Thanks Mike appreciate the info
Positive
Thanks for your fast reply. I'll have to try to pretty up the wires and...
Positive
Thanks
Positive
Seemed very Patience. Very helpful. thanks mike
Positive
Mike G is fast and the best part, he is able to speak "non-techie" so neophytes...

Customer Question

Hooked up photoelectric light in yard. decided to use same power source (20 amp),12 ga., wh, bl & grnd to continue on to outlet inside shed. Wiring before adding outlet worked fine. Added outlet and anything connected to outlet did not work even thougth gauge showed minimal power (sound gauge). I believe I will need to run a separate wire into shed for outlet(s). Believe the photocell is switching the hot lead (on when dark, etc). If my assumptions are correct, or if there is another way around this , please advise. I remain thankful fore any asistance,

Bill Sawyer

 



Already Tried:
See previous...all explained.

Submitted: 325 days and 5 hours ago.
Category: Electrical
Value: $15
Status: CLOSED

Accepted Answer

Picture
Expert:  Mike G. replied 325 days and 5 hours ago.

Hi, I'm Mike and I'll be glad to assist you. You didn't say what type of light it was. If you tapped the add on circuit to the same wires feeding the fixture (black, white and ground) it should work. The only things that would cause a problem is either a bad connection or a Voltage drop cause by the length of the circuit.

Expert TypeMaster Electrician
Category: Electrical
Pos. Feedback: 96.8 %
Accepts: 4670
Answered: 5/30/2012

Experience: Proven Professional 44 years Experience

Ask this Expert a Question >
Customer replied 325 days and 5 hours ago.

type of light uses florescent bulb and has a small ballast. Seems to me something is interrupting the power, otherwise the light would remain on during daylight hours as well.
Just looked and saw a red wire that looks internally connected. While waiting, I covered photo cell to cause light to turn on. Guess what? The Outlet started to work.
Bill

LOOKS LIKE A SEPERATE POWER FEED WIRE OFF OF THE 20 AMP WIRE IS NEEDED , BUT STILL DOES NOT MAKE SENSE.

Customer replied 325 days and 4 hours ago.

still have not received reply to my reply and additional info to my reply IS why I am waiting.

Picture
Expert:  Mike G. replied 325 days and 3 hours ago.

The black wire is the power to the light and the red is after the photo cell. If you are connected black to black and white to white the light should respond to darkness and the outlet should work all the time. Please verify the connections.

Customer replied 325 days and 2 hours ago.

Will give it a shot and see if everything is connected correctly.
thanks
bill

 
Tweet

3 Electricians are Online Right Now

Ask Your Question Now
Electrical Questions Date Submitted
Hi - I hired an electrician to install sconces outside my house. 4/18/2013
Hello, today I inspected a home where the exposed metal flue 4/18/2013
Can I use my car inverter to run a backup sump pump battery 4/17/2013
I am in the process of getting service to an existing pole 4/17/2013
Looking for advice. I have recently purchased a home built 4/17/2013
Radar level measuring devices,GUIDED WAVE RADAROk currently 4/16/2013
I live in Dover NJ in a 1500 sq foot home. Approximately how 4/15/2013
Electronics question: Given a 9 volt dc battery as input, 4/15/2013
Hey Mike. It has been a long time! This is Ray. I need you 4/14/2013
I am replacing a 3-way dimmer - the old switch has 3 wires 4/14/2013
RSS
Next 10 >
Ask an Electrician
Type Your Electrical Question Here...
characters left:

Top Electrical Experts

See More Electricians

In The News

Nbc
Washington Post
New York Times
Cnn
Learn More

How It Works

  • Ask an Expert
  • Get a Professional Answer
  • Ask Followup Questions
  • 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
Learn More
 
 
 

Recent Articles in Electrical

  • Electric Pull Switch Related Questions
  • Questions about OHMS
  • Questions on Light Switch Problems
  • Electrical Transfer Switch Questions
  • Questions on Electrical Plugs
  • Questions on Generator Troubleshooting
  • Questions on Electrical Bus Bar
  • Questions on Electrical Timer Switches
  • Questions on Thermostat Problems
  • Questions on Voltage Problems
All Electrical Articles
 
 
 
close
Find Expert answers related to your question.
Sign up using email
We will never post anything without your permission.
Already have an account? Sign in

Ask an Electrician

Get a Professional Answer. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed.
172 Electricians are Online Now
Type Your Electrical Question Here...
characters left:
Disclaimer: Information in questions, answers, and other posts on this site ("Posts") comes from individual users, not JustAnswer; JustAnswer is not responsible for Posts. Posts are for general information, are not intended to substitute for informed professional advice (medical, legal, veterinary, financial, etc.), or to establish a professional-client relationship. The site and services are provided "as is" with no warranty or representations by JustAnswer regarding the qualifications of Experts. To see what credentials have been verified by a third-party service, please click on the "Verified" symbol in some Experts' profiles. JustAnswer is not intended or designed for EMERGENCY questions which should be directed immediately by telephone or in-person to qualified professionals.
Truste
Contact Us | Terms of Service | Privacy & Security | About Us | Our Network
© 2003-2013 JustAnswer LLC
  • Pearl.com
  • JustAnswer UK
  • JustAnswer Germany
  • JustAnswer Spanish
  • JustAnswer Japan