electrical-motion detectors?

Question

i want to install four motion flood lights on house corners. if they are all wired on the same circuit (controlled by 2 three-way switches), will one detector activate the other three lights. Thanks

Answer 1

You are obviously in the US judging by your use of 'three way switches'?? However, I doubt if the switch rating of the PIR's will cary the load of four floodlights. Wiring wise all you have to do is use an extra core linking between all the switched sides of the detector, which joins to the feed to the lamp, but I'm sure it will burn out!

Answer 2

Yes it will but load ratings of PIR's (passive infrared detectors) tend to be about 1000w and a Halogen floodlight tends to be rated at about 500w, so therefore having 3 on the circuit will overload it .

The only two ways you can do this is to reduce the amount of floodlights your using or have the PIR switch floodlights via a 2 Pole contactor -Im not sure what there called in America but they work using a electromagnet to switch the load and have a greater load carrying capacity

Answer 3

you'd have to run wires to each sensor so they can "talk" to each other. the installation instructions that come with the units should address this and explain how it is done. also, you should run a separate circuit if you go the way you are planning, as it will be quite a current load. you might be able to accomplish the same thing by just using two boxes at opposite corners of the house and shining the double lights one on each wall. the wiring would be easier and it would cost less to run and wire. good luck.