I want to put in an occupancy sensor wall switch to control a new ceiling 
light that uses a CFL bulb.  The switch I want to get is a Leviton 
PR-150-1L.

When I read the product specs online, it says it can be used to turn on 
"incandescent and Rapid Start Magnetic fluorescent ballast lighting loads". 
Here's the link to the product info:

http://www.leviton.com/OA_HTML/ibcGetAttachment.jsp?cItemId=qZ-ZWUgo75LJMFVfERyDGQ&label=IBE&appName=IBE

Is a CFL bulb a "Rapid Start Magnetic fluorescent ballast lighting load"? 
Nothing in the specs mentions CFL lighting fixtures, just "Rapid Start 
Magnetic fluorescent ballast lighting loads" -- whatever that is.

Also, this light fixture is at the end of a wiring circuit.  The existing 
fixture is just a bulb holder with a pull chain to turn it on and off.  I'm 
going to eliminate that fixture, replace it with a CFL-bulb ceiling light 
fixture (with no pull chain), and run a new wire from the light fixture to 
the new occupancy sensor switch.  I was thinking that to do that, the new 
wire to the switch would be a "switch loop" since the power is at the light. 
I think that means that the switch loop will have a black wire at the switch 
and a white wire that is coded black -- in other words, essentially just two 
"black" wires at the switch and no neutral white wire.  Is that correct? 
Will I be able to wire the occupancy sensor light switch with just these two 
"black" wires coming to the switch? 

"BetaB4" <B...@ferbnm.jfs> wrote in message 
news:gsdj7d$6u2$1...@news.motzarella.org...
>I want to put in an occupancy sensor wall switch to control a new ceiling 
>light that uses a CFL bulb.  The switch I want to get is a Leviton 
>PR-150-1L.
>
> When I read the product specs online, it says it can be used to turn on 
> "incandescent and Rapid Start Magnetic fluorescent ballast lighting 
> loads". Here's the link to the product info:
>
> http://www.leviton.com/OA_HTML/ibcGetAttachment.jsp?cItemId=qZ-ZWUgo75LJMFVfERyDGQ&label=IBE&appName=IBE
>
> Is a CFL bulb a "Rapid Start Magnetic fluorescent ballast lighting load"? 
> Nothing in the specs mentions CFL lighting fixtures, just "Rapid Start 
> Magnetic fluorescent ballast lighting loads" -- whatever that is.
>
> Also, this light fixture is at the end of a wiring circuit.  The existing 
> fixture is just a bulb holder with a pull chain to turn it on and off. 
> I'm going to eliminate that fixture, replace it with a CFL-bulb ceiling 
> light fixture (with no pull chain), and run a new wire from the light 
> fixture to the new occupancy sensor switch.  I was thinking that to do 
> that, the new wire to the switch would be a "switch loop" since the power 
> is at the light. I think that means that the switch loop will have a black 
> wire at the switch and a white wire that is coded black -- in other words, 
> essentially just two "black" wires at the switch and no neutral white 
> wire.  Is that correct? Will I be able to wire the occupancy sensor light 
> switch with just these two "black" wires coming to the switch?

The CFL does not have a magnetic ballast, so most likely that motion sensor 
won't work. Your wiring scheme is correct however, I would run a three 
conductor cable to the switch location, as some motion sensors do require a 
neutral. I'm not sure if anything is currently on the market that will 
control a CFL, but in all likelyhood, it won't be long before something 
becomes available. My guess is that anything that will control a load as 
small as a CFL will probably require a neutral to operate, so be prepared if 
you're doing the wiring ahead of time
> 

"RBM" <r...@noemail.com> wrote in message 
news:49ea54cb$0$5922$6...@cv.net...
>
> "BetaB4" <B...@ferbnm.jfs> wrote in message 
> news:gsdj7d$6u2$1...@news.motzarella.org...
>>I want to put in an occupancy sensor wall switch to control a new ceiling 
>>light that uses a CFL bulb.  The switch I want to get is a Leviton 
>>PR-150-1L.
>>
>> When I read the product specs online, it says it can be used to turn on 
>> "incandescent and Rapid Start Magnetic fluorescent ballast lighting 
>> loads". Here's the link to the product info:
>>
>> http://www.leviton.com/OA_HTML/ibcGetAttachment.jsp?cItemId=qZ-ZWUgo75LJMFVfERyDGQ&label=IBE&appName=IBE
>>
>> Is a CFL bulb a "Rapid Start Magnetic fluorescent ballast lighting load"? 
>> Nothing in the specs mentions CFL lighting fixtures, just "Rapid Start 
>> Magnetic fluorescent ballast lighting loads" -- whatever that is.
>>
>> Also, this light fixture is at the end of a wiring circuit.  The existing 
>> fixture is just a bulb holder with a pull chain to turn it on and off. 
>> I'm going to eliminate that fixture, replace it with a CFL-bulb ceiling 
>> light fixture (with no pull chain), and run a new wire from the light 
>> fixture to the new occupancy sensor switch.  I was thinking that to do 
>> that, the new wire to the switch would be a "switch loop" since the power 
>> is at the light. I think that means that the switch loop will have a 
>> black wire at the switch and a white wire that is coded black -- in other 
>> words, essentially just two "black" wires at the switch and no neutral 
>> white wire.  Is that correct? Will I be able to wire the occupancy sensor 
>> light switch with just these two "black" wires coming to the switch?
>
> The CFL does not have a magnetic ballast, so most likely that motion 
> sensor won't work. Your wiring scheme is correct however, I would run a 
> three conductor cable to the switch location, as some motion sensors do 
> require a neutral. I'm not sure if anything is currently on the market 
> that will control a CFL, but in all likelyhood, it won't be long before 
> something becomes available. My guess is that anything that will control a 
> load as small as a CFL will probably require a neutral to operate, so be 
> prepared if you're doing the wiring ahead of time
>>
> The moment I hit the send button, Hubbell came out with a model for CFL 
> lamps: It doesn't mention if a neutral is required though. : 
>
http://www.hubbell-automation.com/media/products_img/occu_sens/wall_switch/rwsoscfl_pdfs/RESoccSENSORincan&CFLcutsheet20
07.pdf
> 

BetaB4 wrote:
> I want to put in an occupancy sensor wall switch to control a new
> ceiling light that uses a CFL bulb.  The switch I want to get is a
> Leviton PR-150-1L.
>
> When I read the product specs online, it says it can be used to turn
> on "incandescent and Rapid Start Magnetic fluorescent ballast
> lighting loads". Here's the link to the product info:
>
> http://www.leviton.com/OA_HTML/ibcGetAttachment.jsp?cItemId=qZ-ZWUgo75LJMFVfERyDGQ&label=IBE&appName=IBE
>
> Is a CFL bulb a "Rapid Start Magnetic fluorescent ballast lighting
> load"? Nothing in the specs mentions CFL lighting fixtures, just
> "Rapid Start Magnetic fluorescent ballast lighting loads" -- whatever
> that is.
> Also, this light fixture is at the end of a wiring circuit.  The
> existing fixture is just a bulb holder with a pull chain to turn it
> on and off.  I'm going to eliminate that fixture, replace it with a
> CFL-bulb ceiling light fixture (with no pull chain), and run a new
> wire from the light fixture to the new occupancy sensor switch.  I
> was thinking that to do that, the new wire to the switch would be a
> "switch loop" since the power is at the light. I think that means
> that the switch loop will have a black wire at the switch and a white
> wire that is coded black -- in other words, essentially just two
> "black" wires at the switch and no neutral white wire.  Is that
> correct? Will I be able to wire the occupancy sensor light switch
> with just these two "black" wires coming to the switch?

Considerably less trouble is a gizmo that screws into the existing socket 
with a motion detector built in. I've got one in the laundry pantry. Works 
swell. I open the doors, the light comes on.

I have to remember to close the doors, else someone putzing around in the 
adjacent breakfast room will trigger the light. 

On Apr 18, 6:32=A0pm, "RBM"  wrote:
> "BetaB4"  wrote in message
>
> news:gsdj7d$6u2$1...@news.motzarella.org...
>
>
>
>
>
> >I want to put in an occupancy sensor wall switch to control a new ceilin=
g
> >light that uses a CFL bulb. =A0The switch I want to get is a Leviton
> >PR-150-1L.
>
> > When I read the product specs online, it says it can be used to turn on
> > "incandescent and Rapid Start Magnetic fluorescent ballast lighting
> > loads". Here's the link to the product info:
>
> >http://www.leviton.com/OA_HTML/ibcGetAttachment.jsp?cItemId=3DqZ-ZWUgo7.=
..
>
> > Is a CFL bulb a "Rapid Start Magnetic fluorescent ballast lighting load=
"?
> > Nothing in the specs mentions CFL lighting fixtures, just "Rapid Start
> > Magnetic fluorescent ballast lighting loads" -- whatever that is.
>
> > Also, this light fixture is at the end of a wiring circuit. =A0The exis=
ting
> > fixture is just a bulb holder with a pull chain to turn it on and off.
> > I'm going to eliminate that fixture, replace it with a CFL-bulb ceiling
> > light fixture (with no pull chain), and run a new wire from the light
> > fixture to the new occupancy sensor switch. =A0I was thinking that to d=
o
> > that, the new wire to the switch would be a "switch loop" since the pow=
er
> > is at the light. I think that means that the switch loop will have a bl=
ack
> > wire at the switch and a white wire that is coded black -- in other wor=
ds,
> > essentially just two "black" wires at the switch and no neutral white
> > wire. =A0Is that correct? Will I be able to wire the occupancy sensor l=
ight
> > switch with just these two "black" wires coming to the switch?
>
> The CFL does not have a magnetic ballast, so most likely that motion sens=
or
> won't work. Your wiring scheme is correct however, I would run a three
> conductor cable to the switch location, as some motion sensors do require=
 a
> neutral. I'm not sure if anything is currently on the market that will
> control a CFL, but in all likelyhood, it won't be long before something
> becomes available. My guess is that anything that will control a load as
> small as a CFL will probably require a neutral to operate, so be prepared=
 if
> you're doing the wiring ahead of time
>
>
>
> - Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

What's different about a motion sensor that would prevent it from
operating any bulb screwed into a standard socket?

Doesn't it just close contacts that pass power to the fixture? How
would it know what's screwed into it?

(It's late and I haven't learned anything new today, so hurry up with
an answer!)

"DerbyDad03" <t...@eznet.net> wrote in message 
news:e...@c36g2000yqn.googlegroups.com...
On Apr 18, 6:32 pm, "RBM"  wrote:
> "BetaB4"  wrote in message
>
> news:gsdj7d$6u2$1...@news.motzarella.org...
>
>
>
>
>
> >I want to put in an occupancy sensor wall switch to control a new ceiling
> >light that uses a CFL bulb. The switch I want to get is a Leviton
> >PR-150-1L.
>
> > When I read the product specs online, it says it can be used to turn on
> > "incandescent and Rapid Start Magnetic fluorescent ballast lighting
> > loads". Here's the link to the product info:
>
> >http://www.leviton.com/OA_HTML/ibcGetAttachment.jsp?cItemId=qZ-ZWUgo7...
>
> > Is a CFL bulb a "Rapid Start Magnetic fluorescent ballast lighting 
> > load"?
> > Nothing in the specs mentions CFL lighting fixtures, just "Rapid Start
> > Magnetic fluorescent ballast lighting loads" -- whatever that is.
>
> > Also, this light fixture is at the end of a wiring circuit. The existing
> > fixture is just a bulb holder with a pull chain to turn it on and off.
> > I'm going to eliminate that fixture, replace it with a CFL-bulb ceiling
> > light fixture (with no pull chain), and run a new wire from the light
> > fixture to the new occupancy sensor switch. I was thinking that to do
> > that, the new wire to the switch would be a "switch loop" since the 
> > power
> > is at the light. I think that means that the switch loop will have a 
> > black
> > wire at the switch and a white wire that is coded black -- in other 
> > words,
> > essentially just two "black" wires at the switch and no neutral white
> > wire. Is that correct? Will I be able to wire the occupancy sensor light
> > switch with just these two "black" wires coming to the switch?
>
> The CFL does not have a magnetic ballast, so most likely that motion 
> sensor
> won't work. Your wiring scheme is correct however, I would run a three
> conductor cable to the switch location, as some motion sensors do require 
> a
> neutral. I'm not sure if anything is currently on the market that will
> control a CFL, but in all likelyhood, it won't be long before something
> becomes available. My guess is that anything that will control a load as
> small as a CFL will probably require a neutral to operate, so be prepared 
> if
> you're doing the wiring ahead of time
>
>
>
> - Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

What's different about a motion sensor that would prevent it from
operating any bulb screwed into a standard socket?

Doesn't it just close contacts that pass power to the fixture? How
would it know what's screwed into it?

(It's late and I haven't learned anything new today, so hurry up with
an answer!)


I think the manufacturers try to build devices like this to replace existing 
switches. They get their power by allowing a small amount of current to flow 
through the lamps that are being controlled, or some use a leak to ground 
system. If the load being controlled is to light, not enough current can 
pass through to operate the control without lighting the light. The devices 
like this that use a neutral are much more versatile, but are limited to 
locations where a neutral exists 

On Sat, 18 Apr 2009 18:11:56 -0400, "BetaB4" <B...@ferbnm.jfs>
wrote:

>I want to put in an occupancy sensor wall switch to control a new ceiling 
>light that uses a CFL bulb.  The switch I want to get is a Leviton 
>PR-150-1L.
>
>When I read the product specs online, it says it can be used to turn on 
>"incandescent and Rapid Start Magnetic fluorescent ballast lighting loads". 
>Here's the link to the product info:
>
>http://www.leviton.com/OA_HTML/ibcGetAttachment.jsp?cItemId=qZ-ZWUgo75LJMFVfERyDGQ&label=IBE&appName=IBE
>
>Is a CFL bulb a "Rapid Start Magnetic fluorescent ballast lighting load"? 
>Nothing in the specs mentions CFL lighting fixtures, just "Rapid Start 
>Magnetic fluorescent ballast lighting loads" -- whatever that is.
>
>Also, this light fixture is at the end of a wiring circuit.  The existing 
>fixture is just a bulb holder with a pull chain to turn it on and off.  I'm 
>going to eliminate that fixture, replace it with a CFL-bulb ceiling light 
>fixture (with no pull chain), and run a new wire from the light fixture to 
>the new occupancy sensor switch.  I was thinking that to do that, the new 
>wire to the switch would be a "switch loop" since the power is at the light. 
>I think that means that the switch loop will have a black wire at the switch 
>and a white wire that is coded black -- in other words, essentially just two 
>"black" wires at the switch and no neutral white wire.  Is that correct? 
>Will I be able to wire the occupancy sensor light switch with just these two 
>"black" wires coming to the switch? 
>

I have several of these "2 wire" occupancy sensors and a single CFL is
not enough load to make them work right.  They are powered through the
load. A 25w incandescent bulb is plenty tho, then you can have the CFL
too. In my garage I have a couple CFLs and one small incandescent, it
works fine. 

In article 1...@news.motzarella.org>, BetaB4 wrote:
>I want to put in an occupancy sensor wall switch to control a new ceiling 
>light that uses a CFL bulb.  The switch I want to get is a Leviton 
>PR-150-1L.
>
>When I read the product specs online, it says it can be used to turn on 
>"incandescent and Rapid Start Magnetic fluorescent ballast lighting loads". 
>Here's the link to the product info:
>
>http://www.leviton.com/OA_HTML/ibcGetAttachment.jsp?cItemId=qZ-ZWUgo75LJMFVfERyDGQ&label=IBE&appName=IBE
>
>Is a CFL bulb a "Rapid Start Magnetic fluorescent ballast lighting load"? 
>Nothing in the specs mentions CFL lighting fixtures, just "Rapid Start 
>Magnetic fluorescent ballast lighting loads" -- whatever that is.

  CFLs are not such loads, and are not recommended except for CFLs rated 
specifically to be usable with dimmers and electronic switching devices.

  CFLs rated to be usable with dimmers will probably be OK even if not 
overtly rated for electronic switching devices,
  but my warranty against damage to the CFL or the switching device or the 
building/contents/occupants shall be limited to what I got paid to post 
this... :) :)

>Also, this light fixture is at the end of a wiring circuit.  The existing 
>fixture is just a bulb holder with a pull chain to turn it on and off.  I'm 
>going to eliminate that fixture, replace it with a CFL-bulb ceiling light 
>fixture (with no pull chain), and run a new wire from the light fixture to 
>the new occupancy sensor switch.  I was thinking that to do that, the new 
>wire to the switch would be a "switch loop" since the power is at the light. 
>I think that means that the switch loop will have a black wire at the switch 
>and a white wire that is coded black -- in other words, essentially just two 
>"black" wires at the switch and no neutral white wire.  Is that correct? 

  As I hear it, that is correct - black tape wrapped around both ends of 
the "switched hot" white wire.  

>Will I be able to wire the occupancy sensor light switch with just these two 
>"black" wires coming to the switch? 

  Those I don't know too well - though I doubt you need any cable to have 
both two hots and a neutral, though fair to good chance you need ground 
for every cable.  According to that, to extent I know such well enough, 
ordinary "romex" should be OK.

  If you have a cable with two "black wires", one of them switched, it 
sounds to me that you need a junction box somewhere, though many lighting 
fixtures have some enclosure allowable to use as a junction box (provided 
proper fittings around all cables such as "1/2 inch connectors" or the 
like is provided for and used).  Also, ground wires of every cable must 
connect to every junction box that the cables enter.
  Anything used as a junction box, as well as every light fixture housing 
having a green grounding screw whether or not the light fixture is used as 
a junction box, needs every cable entering such to have a "grounding 
conductor" (as opposed to "grounded conductor", which is "white wire")
connected to the "green screw" or otherwise connected to the metal 
housing.

 - Don Klipstein (d...@misty.com)

In article <49ea54cb$0$5922$6...@cv.net>, RBM wrote:
>
>"BetaB4" <B...@ferbnm.jfs> wrote in message 
>news:gsdj7d$6u2$1...@news.motzarella.org...
>>I want to put in an occupancy sensor wall switch to control a new ceiling 
>>light that uses a CFL bulb.  The switch I want to get is a Leviton 
>>PR-150-1L.
>>
>> When I read the product specs online, it says it can be used to turn on 
>> "incandescent and Rapid Start Magnetic fluorescent ballast lighting 
>> loads". Here's the link to the product info:
>>
>> http://www.leviton.com/OA_HTML/ibcGetAttachment.jsp?cItemId=qZ-ZWUgo75LJMFVfERyDGQ&label=IBE&appName=IBE
>>
>> Is a CFL bulb a "Rapid Start Magnetic fluorescent ballast lighting load"? 
>> Nothing in the specs mentions CFL lighting fixtures, just "Rapid Start 
>> Magnetic fluorescent ballast lighting loads" -- whatever that is.
>>
>> Also, this light fixture is at the end of a wiring circuit.  The existing 
>> fixture is just a bulb holder with a pull chain to turn it on and off. 
>> I'm going to eliminate that fixture, replace it with a CFL-bulb ceiling 
>> light fixture (with no pull chain), and run a new wire from the light 
>> fixture to the new occupancy sensor switch.  I was thinking that to do 
>> that, the new wire to the switch would be a "switch loop" since the power 
>> is at the light. I think that means that the switch loop will have a black 
>> wire at the switch and a white wire that is coded black -- in other words, 
>> essentially just two "black" wires at the switch and no neutral white 
>> wire.  Is that correct? Will I be able to wire the occupancy sensor light 
>> switch with just these two "black" wires coming to the switch?
>
>The CFL does not have a magnetic ballast, so most likely that motion sensor 
>won't work.

  Most CFLs with magnetic ballasts integral within the "bulbs" (rare 
nowadays) and most CFL desk lamps with "wallwart ballasts" (also not very 
common) have low power factor.  It appears to me that the switching device 
in question requires high power factor, meaning incompatibility with even 
many to most magnetic-ballasted CFLs.
  This also means incompatibility with most fluorescent fixtures for 
"bulbs" rated 22 watts or less (with exception for at least some rated 
specifically for 17 watts), especially not good with most to nearly all
fluorescent fixtures with starters - regardless of wattage, though most 
of those are 22 watts or less and other than 27 watts,
  but a few "low power factor ones" may be among the few with starters and 
wattages of 26, 28, 30 and 40 watts, 1 bulb per ballast, maybe whatever 32 
watt one with a starter that I have low expectation to find existing.

 - Don Klipstein (d...@misty.com)

"RBM" <r...@noemail.com> wrote in message 
news:49ea57ca$0$5918$6...@cv.net...
>> .............. My guess is that anything that will control a load as 
>> small as a CFL will probably require a neutral to operate, so be prepared 
>> if you're doing the wiring ahead of time
>>>
>> The moment I hit the send button, Hubbell came out with a model for CFL 
>> lamps: It doesn't mention if a neutral is required though. : 
>>
http://www.hubbell-automation.com/media/products_img/occu_sens/wall_switch/rwsoscfl_pdfs/RESoccSENSORincan&CFLcutsheet20
07.pdf
>>

That's interesting that Hubbell has a model that is made for CFL's.  I'll 
have to try to figure out where I can buy them -- I'm not sure who carries 
their brand.