How to Wire a Photocell

Overview

A yard lamppost with a photo cell light activator can be an energy-efficient addition to any home. Essentially, photocells "charge" by utilizing light. Your yard lamp enables your lights to receive their charge from natural sunlight, which they store and then release once it becomes dark. Your yard lamppost will enable your photocells to be powered all the time, but you've got to wire them correctly first.

Step 1

Turn off the electricity from your main breaker box.

Step 2

Strip the ends of the wires at the light post and connect the wires to the light by matching each color and twisting them together. Apply plastic caps once the wires are connected.

Step 3

Dig a small trench from your light to the location where your wiring will enter your house, and lay down a conduit pipe in the ravine.

Step 4

Run the wires through the conduit pipe to the side of your house.

Step 5

Attach a service box next to your house at the end of the conduit and run the wiring through it.

Step 6

Run the wires through the sideboard of your house into the basement or underneath the house.

Step 7

Remove the faceplate from your nearest outlet and push the wires up through the wall to the outlet.

Step 8

Strip the ends of the wires and connect to the outlet by matching the colors.

Step 9

Turn your electricity back on at the breaker box and test your new lighting.