Electrical question Re: porch light wiring

[Baz]

This is at Mom's house. I replaced a couple of her porch lights yesterday.

One (front of garage) was straight forward - 2 wires.

The other one sits above the entry and there's a switch inside that (I was told) operated the light in a way that you keep switching it back and forth to achieve different operations. Once just turns it off and on. Then the next turns on the motion detector.

The switch inside is just your standard on-off switch...although I didn't look inside at the wiring (nor do I want to )

As you can see in the first photo, someone installed the motion detector as an add on.

The replacement light I bought has this feature built in along with a remote for settings.

What puzzles me is there are two different sets of wires at the box (second pic).

I ended up just attaching two of them and the light seems to be working just fine, although I need to come over after sunset to check the detector part out.

I'll also need to redo the whole attachment so the fixture is more secure.

Right now just wondering about the two sets of wires.

Thanks for any opinions!

[dad911]

I suspect the r/w/b on the right loop over to the sensor. What does the label say?

[masraum]

I would assume that the wires that you are using are the original "on/off" wires. The other set, white/black/red, are usually used for a 3-way setup. Is there only a single switch and that's on/off?

Do you have one of those pens that checks for a hot wire?

Is your mom aware of a second switch somewhere?

I suspect how you've got it wired is good for on/off with built in detector. My biggest concern would be having a second hot wire just sitting there.

[dad911]

Was the second black wire connected before?

The ground wires need some help.

[Baz]

Thanks for the replies, gents.

When I removed the old sensor, I couldn't tell where those two wires spiced in because it was above the box, I guess.

I really need to remove the old metal box and replace it so guess when I do that I'll have a better idea of where the other wires go. At that time of course I'll do whatever is needed to make sure everything is oriented for safety.

That will have to wait until next week due to my schedule.

[T77911S]

all wire splices are "suppose" to be accessible. IE not behind walls.

agree with DAD. although i see the 2 screw holes for the sensor but no hole for the wires to go through. so why would the rbw go up into the ceiling????

but you also have 2 blks. does one feed another light somewhere else.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by T77911S

all wire splices are "suppose" to be accessible. IE not behind walls.

agree with DAD. although i see the 2 screw holes for the sensor but no hole for the wires to go through. so why would the rbw go up into the ceiling????

but you also have 2 blks. does one feed another light somewhere else.

The wire from the sensor was tucked up into one of the folds of that vinyl siding.

Like I said - I'll know more when I remove and replace that junction box and can better see where the wires are going.

Another development is I can't find the on/off switch for the outside garage light I replaced, so maybe that's an explanation for the other wires, as you said.

[gacook]

The extra black wire is likely a travel wire to the other light. The switch should turn them both on.

Glad you mentioned you're going to replace that box, as all that rust is not good for getting a ground (someone else mentioned the ground wire needing work).

It never ceases to amaze me the absolute rat's nest of wiring I come across in houses (yours isn't all that bad, actually).

[Baz]

Originally Posted by gacook

The extra black wire is likely a travel wire to the other light. The switch should turn them both on.

Glad you mentioned you're going to replace that box, as all that rust is not good for getting a ground (someone else mentioned the ground wire needing work).

It never ceases to amaze me the absolute rat's nest of wiring I come across in houses (yours isn't all that bad, actually).

Thanks, Guy!

I'm not an electrician by trade but have done a fair amount of electrical work - most of which is pretty basic. But I was an irrigation contractor for many years and can relate to your comment about the crazy stuff you see sometimes!