Light With Built in PIR-Redundant Light Switch? Ask questions and find answers to many subjects relating to electrics and electrical work

[Mike P]

Hello all,
I’m thinking about replacing my conventional bathroom ceiling light with one with a built in motion sensor (such as an Energizer with microwave sensor). I’m assuming this would render the pull cord switch redundant but if so what should I do? Should I retain it as an “override” switch? If I dispense with it could I simply replace it with a junction box in case I want to revert to a conventional arrangement in the future?

[Mr White]

You have several choices.
1) Undo the pull cord (Near the switch itself is a means to remove the remainder of the cord)
2) Change it to a suitable box with lid
3) Remove the switch cable completely

Do make sure your new light is suitable for a bathroom.

I Personally do not like timed or sensor lights since they will always switch off at the most inconvenient time.

[Mike P]

Thanks Mr White.
The bathroom ceiling has been over boarded and finished with pvc cladding and it’s a single storey flat-roof extension so access to cables is limited. One of the reasons I am considering this approach is because the pull cord is not near a joist and I’m concerned that I will not be able to reattach it securely enough. So, to be clear, I could connect the switch cables to a box, effectively closing the circuit permanently so that there is continuous power to the ceiling fitting and the on/off will be controlled by the ceiling light’s sensor? I hear what you say about these lights turning off when you don’t want them to but the timings are adjustable and moving about a bit should be enough to reactivate...

[ericmark]

I personally prefer to have the option to isolate or at least turn off lights to change bulbs, or to remove from main circuit if a electronic unit fails. So would swap ceiling pull switch for simple on/off switch if in the right zone so I can switch of light in just that room to work on it.

However a plug in ceiling rose would do same thing, so it's up to you how you do it.