Wiring Leviton 3 way motion sensor switches

WWalker · #1 Feb 20, 2006, 09:54 AM

Have done a search and found another post with the same question, but no info on the reslution of the problem.

I put in a stairwell to the basement with a landing and 90 deg turn. I have installed a light fixture above the landing to light the stair well and want to control it with motion sensors so that when I go down the stairs the upper sensor will turn the light on, and when I go up the stairs the lower sensor will turn the light on.

I have two Leviton PR180 switches, they are signal pole, 3 way switches. The only wiring diagram supplied by Levition show wireing the motion switch to a regular 3 way switch. They don't show how to wire two PR180 motion sensing 3 ways.

I have found wiring diagrams for Levition commercial use motion sensor switches that show how to wire two of them to control one fixture, but the wire colors on those switches are different.

The PR180 has 4 wires, Black, Red, Green, & Yellow/Red. They supply a jumper wire that they say must be used for 3 way installation, but I can't figure out which wires need to be connected with the jumper, as the provided diagram shows connection the jumper to the common terminal of a regular 3 way. They do not identifiy a common terminal on the motion switches. I have wired it according the the diagram that came with the switch and one motion sensor switch is working the other is not. Can these switches be used in this application or do I need the commercial grade switches?

WWalker · Feb 20, 2006, 12:01 PM

Thanks for the reply.

Levition is closed today for the holiday so I could not contact them today.

I have done more resurch on this and I don't think you can use two 3 way motion switches together.

I looked again at the diagrams on their web site and they show two regular motion switchs powering one load. There is a note that says either sensor can turn the load on. So I think this is the application that I need. The PR180 3 way motion switch can be used as a regular switch so I don't think I will need new switches.

At first this seemed like an application for 3 way switches, but with more thought I am starting to understand why it wouldn't work.

Tonight I will try to wire them as per the other diagram I found, and provide an update tomarrow.

WWalker · Feb 21, 2006, 06:17 AM

Problem resolved!

At first this seems like an application for 3 way switches (two switches controlling the same load). Not when using motion sensor switches. All you need are regular motion sensor switches. I happen to have 3 ways but they can be used as regular switches they just have and extra wire.

Here is how I did it. Ran 2 wires w/ ground from panel to first switch box, 3 wires w/ ground to second switch box, and 2 wires w/ ground to fixture box.
As I said the switch has Black, Red, Green, and Yellow/Red wires. Then it is straight froward, hook black to black, Red to Red, Green to Green, White to White, the Yellow/Red wire is not used in this case. Next switch box, same as first but the Red wire powers the load so hook Red wires to the Black going to light fixture.

Works like a charm and the wife is happy to be able to see going up and down the stairs.

RichP · Mar 25, 2006, 03:53 AM

WWalker,

I am trying to do the same thing with 2 PR180 s in my basement stairwell.

You mention on your first switch hooking white to white and not using the yellow...there is no white wire on the pr180, do you mean hooking the white wires from the serivice box run and 2nd switch run together?

My wiring is already in-place (and not by me) so I'm having a little difficulty getting it going rich with 1 PR180 and 1 3-way switch. The PR180 turns the lights on/off but the regular switch does nothing. I used the jumper.

Thx!

PS: I called Leviton and they were not helpfull...told me to call an electrician.

Quote:

Originally Posted by WWalker

Problem resolved!

At first this seems like an application for 3 way switches (two switches controlling the same load). Not when using motion sensor switches. All you need are regular motion sensor switches. I happen to have 3 ways but they can be used as regular switches they just have and extra wire.

Here is how I did it. Ran 2 wires w/ ground from panel to first switch box, 3 wires w/ ground to second switch box, and 2 wires w/ ground to fixture box.
As I said the switch has Black, Red, Green, and Yellow/Red wires. Then it is straight froward, hook black to black, Red to Red, Green to Green, White to White, the Yellow/Red wire is not used in this case. Next switch box, same as first but the Red wire powers the load so hook Red wires to the Black going to light fixture.

Works like a charm and the wife is happy to be able to see going up and down the stairs.

WWalker · Mar 25, 2006, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichP

WWalker,

I am trying to do the same thing with 2 PR180 s in my basement stairwell.

My wiring is already in-place (and not by me) so I'm having a little difficulty getting it going rich with 1 PR180 and 1 3-way switch. The PR180 turns the lights on/off but the regular switch does nothing. I used the jumper.

Thx!

PS: I called Leviton and they were not helpfull...told me to call an electrician.

You say you want to do this with two PR180's, but are trying to make it work with 1 PR180 and 1 regular 3-way? Do you plan to replace this regular 3-way with the 2nd PR180? This is what I would recommend, it works great.

Quote:

You mention on your first switch hooking white to white and not using the yellow...there is no white wire on the pr180, do you mean hooking the white wires from the serivice box run and 2nd switch run together?

Yes.

RichP · Mar 27, 2006, 07:35 AM

Yes. I want to use 2 PR180's.

I have 1 PR 180 in place where 2 cables(one 2 wire & one 3 wire) come into that box and it is able to turn the lights on/off.

One 3 wire goes to my 2nd switch. I believe the 2 wire goes to the light.

This remaining 3 way switch had one 3 wire cable coming in(red black white & grnd)...and even though I jumped it as per the instructions, I want to replace it with a 2nd PR180.

Thx.

Quote:

Originally Posted by WWalker

You say you want to do this with two PR180's, but are trying to make it work with 1 PR180 and 1 regular 3-way? Do you plan to replace this regular 3-way with the 2nd PR180? This is what I would recommend, it works great.

Yes.

WWalker · Mar 27, 2006, 09:15 AM

OK. If you are going to replace the regular 3 way with another PR180, this is not a 3 way switch application. Seems like it should be but it is not. This is simply a case of two regular switches controling one load. You don't need 3 ways with 2 motion switches because you never have to turn the lights off manually the timer does that for you.

So like I said you will not use the Yellow/Red wire on either switch.

First box:
Black and White form panel
Black, White and Red, run to second box.
Black and Red, on switch.

Hook 3 Black wires, from panel, switch, and run to second box together. Hook 2 White wires, from panel, and run to second box together.
Hook 2 Red wires, Red switch wire, and Red run to second box together.

Second box:
Black, White and Red, run from first box.
Black and white, run to load.
Black, Red, on switch.

Hook 2 wires, Black from first box, and Black switch wire together.
Hook 3 wires, Red form first box, Red switch wire, and Black wire to load together.
Hook 2 wires, White form first box and White to load together.

Either switch will turn the light on, and one or both must time on to turn light off.

I hope this is as clear as mud

RichP · Mar 27, 2006, 10:01 AM

WWalker,

Thanx a lot!

I had just figured it out after reading your 1st reply to me (before you posted this one)

My wiring was already in place and I had a 2 wire coming from the light with that white as hot(and that black going back to the lights black).
Once I understood that my colors were different and I read your reply: I figured out we are just wiring these as 2 single pole switches connected to the same load.

Now I am playing with the LIGHT setting to get it perfect. I noticed a few times the light didn't go on. I have both set to go off in 15 seconds.

Thanks again,

Rich

Quote:

Originally Posted by WWalker

OK. If you are going to replace the regular 3 way with another PR180, this is not a 3 way switch application. Seems like it should be but it is not. This is simply a case of two regular switches controling one load. You don't need 3 ways with 2 motion switches because you never have to turn the lights off manually the timer does that for you.

So like I said you will not use the Yellow/Red wire on either switch.

First box:
Black and White form panel
Black, White and Red, run to second box.
Black and Red, on switch.

Hook 3 Black wires, from panel, switch, and run to second box together. Hook 2 White wires, from panel, and run to second box together.
Hook 2 Red wires, Red switch wire, and Red run to second box together.

Second box:
Black, White and Red, run from first box.
Black and white, run to load.
Black, Red, on switch.

Hook 2 wires, Black from first box, and Black switch wire together.
Hook 3 wires, Red form first box, Red switch wire, and Black wire to load together.
Hook 2 wires, White form first box and White to load together.

Either switch will turn the light on, and one or both must time on to turn light off.

I hope this is as clear as mud

WWalker · Mar 27, 2006, 11:14 AM

Glad you got it working.

The light level adjustment takes some time the get it just how you want it.

Enjoy!



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