Long ago, I installed these same 1.8 watt led lites under the eves, 4 in front, 4 in the back, to lite up the sidewalks all around the house. I just connected them to the 2 outside porch lite 120v circuits. At a total of 15 watts, I figured to just leave them on all the time, so that when we came hope late, we wouldn't be in the dark.But that didn't work good because DW kept turning them off in the daytime, and we really would get caught walking in the dark. After repeated warnings didn't help a bit, I'd had enuff,....and w/o a 2nd thought, I pulled the 2 switches out, wire nutted the wires together, and put the switches back in. All has worked great ever since. Now, after getting hammered in the other thread, how much trouble am in here. I never thought to question if code even requires a light circuit to even have a switch. All I thought is, the situation was broke, and I fixed it. And I believe it is safe.But as in the other thread, talk of sticking your finger in a lite socket,.....???. isn't that something my mamma taught me not to do many moons ago ? :)

No you do not need to have a circuit switched. You just can't have a circuit with the neutral switched.

Tempted to do the same at my house.Wife always switches off the outside porch light when letting the dogs in, but it is a motion sensor light and switch must always be on...

I would replace the switch with a timer. Doubt you would save enough electric to pay for the timer. Does make the house look "lived in" so I add it to the illusion of security. Also consider a day/night sensor or a motion sensor.Codes requires a switch... No idea. My city does require a dimmer if using incandescent lamps.

I would say put them on a timer switch, but at 15 watts, it would take decades to pay for itself. I would remove the switch and put a blank plate on it.

Put a piece of tape over the switch. A discussion with DW about why not to turn off the switch, and how long it takes for broken fingers to heal might help. Or not...

Another Elec Tech Question #2 | Good Sam Community

19 Replies

azrving
Explorer
Jan 19, 2016
One choice

Hide the screwdrivers from her
beemerphile1
Explorer
Jan 19, 2016
The circuit is not required to be switched. It is perfectly fine to wire it for continuous use.
Gdetrailer
Explorer III
Jan 19, 2016
RJsfishin wrote:
Long ago, I installed these same 1.8 watt led lites under the eves, 4 in front, 4 in the back, to lite up the sidewalks all around the house. I just connected them to the 2 outside porch lite 120v circuits.
At a total of 15 watts, I figured to just leave them on all the time, so that when we came hope late, we wouldn't be in the dark.
But that didn't work good because DW kept turning them off in the daytime, and we really would get caught walking in the dark. After repeated warnings didn't help a bit, I'd had enuff,....and w/o a 2nd thought, I pulled the 2 switches out, wire nutted the wires together, and put the switches back in. All has worked great ever since.

Now, after getting hammered in the other thread, how much trouble am in here. I never thought to question if code even requires a light circuit to even have a switch. All I thought is, the situation was broke, and I fixed it. And I believe it is safe.
But as in the other thread, talk of sticking your finger in a lite socket,.....???. isn't that something my mamma taught me not to do many moons ago ? :)

While it IS OK to disconnect the switch, down the road it MAY cause confusion for others..

The BETTER way to go about this is to install what is known as "dusk to dawn" sensors at the beginning of the light circuit or if unknown at each light fixture.

They are not expensive and will make your life much easier in the process..

Look like this

one which is typically used for lamp posts but can be installed in a outdoor rated box..

Costs about $8 HERE not including an outdoor rated box..

I make exclusive usage of these sensors around my home for all outdoor lights.. Allows me to simply leave the switch on for the lights I want to be one and not waste any more electricity than needed.
RJsfishin
Explorer
Jan 19, 2016
Hondavalk wrote:
No you do not need to have a circuit switched. You just can't have a circuit with the neutral switched.

You gotta be kidding ! That would really surprise me if that's true.
Johno02
Explorer
Jan 19, 2016
Put a piece of tape over the switch. A discussion with DW about why not to turn off the switch, and how long it takes for broken fingers to heal might help. Or not...
Chris_Bryant
Explorer II
Jan 19, 2016
I would say put them on a timer switch, but at 15 watts, it would take decades to pay for itself. I would remove the switch and put a blank plate on it.
time2roll
Nomad
Jan 19, 2016
I would replace the switch with a timer. Doubt you would save enough electric to pay for the timer. Does make the house look "lived in" so I add it to the illusion of security. Also consider a day/night sensor or a motion sensor.

Codes requires a switch... No idea. My city does require a dimmer if using incandescent lamps.
Byrogie
Explorer
Jan 19, 2016
Tempted to do the same at my house.
Wife always switches off the outside porch light when letting the dogs in, but it is a motion sensor light and switch must always be on...
Hondavalk
Explorer II
Jan 19, 2016
No you do not need to have a circuit switched. You just can't have a circuit with the neutral switched.

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Another Elec Tech Question #2

19 Replies

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