I was trying to update a conventional light switch with one that has a motion sensor. The original switch operated a ceiling fan and light. When I added the new switch I discovered that the switch also controlled the lights to 2 other switches. I had the main switch, the switch that controlled the laundry room light and switch #3, the garage lights. I have my ground wire, two black wires and one red wire and one neutral wire in my box. There was a jump wire, but I didn't see how it was attached. I had never seen one before and didn't know it's purpose.
So, how do I wire these wires to the motion sensor switch? Each switch operates independently of the other 2 but I can't seem to figure out how to wire this correctly. I get the sensor to operate correctly, but then the laundry light switch and the garage light switch will not operate their lights. They only come on and off with the sensor.
What am I doing wrong? How to I wire this correctly using the jump wire?
Answers & Comments
Now you have to do some detective work. You may need a couple of wirenuts. Take out the sensor and connect all the wires that were connected to the switch together. (Now the light you want to control should be on, and the others should operate independently.) Leave the other switches on. Remove one wire at a time from the connection you made until you find one loose wire that will turn off the fixture you wish to control while the others stay on. Connect that single wire to the red wire (or blackened screw) on the switch. Connect the black wire from the switch (or a wire from the gold screw) to the remaining wires in the connection you first made. If the switch has a white connect to connection that has all whites. Connect green to bare wires.
the laundry and garage switches need to use jumper to the hot [unswitched] terminal on the new motion sensor. Think I'd want to read the instructions for the motion sensor carefully -- it may not be up to the motor load of the fan
You don't. Obviously you didn't understand what you are doing from the start. You should really hire a handyman with electrical knowledge. I once had a guy dismantle a five gang box and remove all the switches from the box because the outside light wasn't working. It took me about a minute to discover why. The bulb had burned out!