Timers add safety and convenience to lights

From porch and driveway lights to deck and patio lighting to the soft glow of illuminated landscaping, there’s nothing that enhances the safety and beauty of the outside of your home better than exterior lighting.

For maximum convenience and energy efficiency, the best way to control those lights is through the use of light timers and other lighting controls, rather than just a simple switch. And today, you have more options than ever before.

Here are just a few of them.

120-volt timers

You can easily automate virtually any 120volt exterior light fixture by simply installing a timer in place of the switch that controls that light.

There are different styles of timers, including programmable digital timers and timers with preset blocks of time, such as 1 hour, 4 hours, etc.

Other types have pins that are pushed in or pulled out to set the onoff times.

Be sure you select a timer that’s easy to operate, or you won’t use it. Also, be sure it has a simple manual override so you can turn the light on or off regardless of the timer’s setting.

Photocells

A photocell is an electronic device that reads available daylight through a small eye. When the circuits detect that the light has fallen below a certain level, it activates a switch to send power to the lights it’s controlling.

Photocells are ideal for situations where you want the lights to come on at dusk and go off at dawn, or they can be wired to a timer that causes the power to come on at dusk and then go off a set amount of time later. Photocells are available in both 120-volt and low-voltage models.

Photocells can be added to existing lights. There are simple screw-in sockets that go between the bulb and the fixture socket. There are also hard-wired photocells, which are installed in a waterproof box, then power is routed from the photocell to the fixture.

Portable timers

These timers are intended to be plugged into an existing outlet, either directly or with a short, attached cord. Most of these types of timers are intended for seasonal or intermittent use unless otherwise labeled by the manufacturer.

The timer may be digital or pin-operated, or they may be operated off a built-in photocell. Some are premounted on a stake, while others have mounting holes to allow it be attached to a wall or post (avoid just letting it lie on the ground). Some are completely waterproof, others are water resistant and need to be used in weather-protected areas. Look for a Underwriters Laboratories listing, and follow all of the manufacturer’s restrictions and safety instructions.

Low-voltage timers

As the name implies, these are intended for use only with low-voltage landscape lighting. The timer is part of the transformer that converts the 120-volt house current to low voltage. The timer and transformer are contained within a waterproof housing that mounts anywhere inside or out. Simply connect the lowvoltage wiring to the transformer, install the removable timer pins to turn the system on and off at the desired times, set the timer for the current time of day and plug it in.

When purchasing or upgrading a transformer, follow the manufacturer’s instructions on sizing the unit to match the number of lights you have.

Phone apps

There are any number of ways that you can automate your lights and then control them from your Android or iPhone using a plug-in or hard-wired module and a compatible downloaded phone app. There are lots of advantages to these types of systems, including the fact that you can set different schedules for the lights, and also can program lights to react to motion.

Motion detectors

While not actually a timer, a motion detector does offer another way to remotely activate an exterior light. It has a wide-angle eye that detects motion within a set degree of arc to the front and sides, which then triggers a light to come on.

Motion detector lights work well as security lights where your primary concern is having an otherwise unlit area light up someone who perhaps shouldn’t be there. As a primary exterior light, however, they leave an area in complete darkness until a person gets close, and then hit them with an unexpected beam of bright light.

Getting help

All of these light timers and other devices are available at home centers, lighting stores and anywhere that electrical components are sold. (Some of the more sophisticated phonecontrolled devices may only be available through companies that specialize in phone devices and smarthome wiring). Complete mounting and activation instructions are included.

As with any electrical device, read and follow the instructions carefully, make sure the power is off before installation, and always consult with a licensed electrician if you are unsure how to proceed.