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Showing posts from May, 2018

True 3-way occupancy / vacancy motion sensing wall switches

Simple problem:  Want motion detection (occupancy) at both ends of a hallway or stairwell. Solution:  an amazingly large steaming hot mess! ----------------------------- [Update]:  OK, so I've realized that the main reason why there are relatively few residential application for motion switches is: they don't save you money. You can read the details here .  The original reviewer makes the mistake of confusing a 40W LED bulb (320 mA draw) with a 40W equivalent LED bulb (actually 9W, 72 mA draw), but otherwise the concept is sound. The reality is that unless you are switching large lighting loads (150W-ish or more) and/or in a commercial environment where lights might get left on 24/7, adding a motion sensor makes no sense.  The "smart, energy-saving switches" will consume MORE energy than if you accidentally left the bathroom lights on an extra 15-20 hours per week , which seems rather unlikely for most situations. This also means there is no payback...