Expert: Bob Sponaugle - 7/2/2009

Question
I HAD SOME DUSK TO DAWN FLOODLIGHTS ON MY PORCH AND EVERY TIME IT GETS LITTLE CLOUDY THEY COME ON. I THOUGHT ABOUT PUTTING A LIGHT SWITCH TO TURN IT ON/OFF MANUALLY. BUT WHEN I HOOK UP THE LIGHT SWITCH IT TRIPS THE BREAKER.

Answer
Hi.

Are the switches connected between the power coming in and the floodlight, or are they run from a separate wire going to the floodlight?

If they are before the floodlight, cap the white wires together and connect the two black wires to the switch terminals.

If there is a separate wire, put a piece of black tape on either end of the white wire to show it is hot.  One switch wire connects to the black power source, the other to the black fixture wire.  The white power source wire connects directly to the white fixture wire.

I hope this helps.

Bob