Intermatic photocells are designed to control outdoor lighting fixtures. They are commonly used in commercial and residential settings to save energy by automatically turning lights on and off at specific times or in response to ambient light levels. A photocell is essentially a light-sensitive resistor that changes resistance as the ambient light changes. This change in resistance is used to trigger a switch that turns the lights on or off. In this article, we will discuss the wiring diagram for Intermatic photocells in detail.
Parts of an Intermatic Photocell
Before we dive into the wiring diagram, let’s discuss the different parts of an Intermatic photocell. The main components of a photocell are:
| Component | Function |
|---|---|
| Photocell | Measures the ambient light level and changes resistance accordingly. |
| Control Module | Receives the signal from the photocell and activates the switch as needed. |
| Switch | Turns the lights on or off based on the signal from the control module. |
Now, let’s move on to the wiring diagram.
Intermatic Photocell Wiring Diagram
The wiring diagram for Intermatic photocells is relatively simple. There are three wires that need to be connected: the black or red wire, the white wire, and the green wire. Here’s how it works:
Step 1: Turn off Power
Before you start wiring, make sure to turn off the power to the circuit you will be working on. This will prevent any accidents or electrical shocks.
Step 2: Connect the Wires
First, connect the black or red wire from the light fixture to the black wire on the Intermatic photocell. This wire provides power to the photocell.
Next, connect the white wire from the light fixture to the white wire on the Intermatic photocell. This wire provides a neutral connection to the photocell.
Finally, connect the green wire from the light fixture to the green wire on the Intermatic photocell. This wire provides a grounding connection.
Step 3: Mount the Photocell
Once the wires are connected, mount the Intermatic photocell in a location where it can easily sense the ambient light. This is usually on the top of a light fixture or on a nearby surface.
Step 4: Test the Photocell
After the photocell is mounted, turn the power back on and test the photocell. Cover the photocell with your hand to simulate darkness and see if the lights turn on. Then, uncover the photocell to simulate daylight and see if the lights turn off. If everything works as expected, you’re done!
FAQ
What is a photocell?
A photocell is a light-sensitive resistor that changes resistance based on the ambient light level. This change in resistance is used to trigger a switch that turns lights on or off.
What is an Intermatic photocell?
An Intermatic photocell is a type of photocell made by Intermatic, a manufacturer of electrical timers and controls. Intermatic photocells are commonly used to control outdoor lighting fixtures.
What is the purpose of a photocell?
The purpose of a photocell is to automatically turn lights on or off based on the ambient light level. This saves energy and makes sure that outdoor lights are always on when they are needed.
How do you wire an Intermatic photocell?
To wire an Intermatic photocell, connect the black or red wire from the light fixture to the black wire on the Intermatic photocell, connect the white wire from the light fixture to the white wire on the Intermatic photocell, and connect the green wire from the light fixture to the green wire on the Intermatic photocell.
Where should you mount an Intermatic photocell?
An Intermatic photocell should be mounted in a location where it can easily sense the ambient light. This is usually on the top of a light fixture or on a nearby surface.
How do you test an Intermatic photocell?
To test an Intermatic photocell, cover the photocell with your hand to simulate darkness and see if the lights turn on. Then, uncover the photocell to simulate daylight and see if the lights turn off.
