How to Hang a Front Porch Light With Motion Sensors

Turn off the power to your porch light by switching off the appropriate circuit breaker. Remove the original lighting fixture using a screwdriver. Unscrew one wire nut without touching the exposed wire end. Tap the tip of a noncontact voltage tester to the exposed end of the wire. If the tester is activated, then immediately stop your work and return to the circuit breaker and turn off more switches to ensure the power is cut to the lighting fixture. Remove the other wire nut and pull the lighting fixture off of the porch wall.

Consider the height and placement of your lighting fixture prior to installation. For a light junction box that is more than six feet off the porch, install the fixture with the motion sensor at the bottom of the fixture to ensure it will be activated with normal movement. Lower fixtures can be hung with the motion sensor on either the top or bottom.

Match the white wire of the fixture with the white wire of the porch and wrap the fixture wire clockwise around the exposed end of the porch's white wire. Screw a wire nut over the end of the wire to completely cover the exposed end. Attach the new lighting fixture using a screwdriver and following the manufacturer's instructions. Turn on the circuit breaker after screwing in a light bulb and keep your light switch in the "On" position to allow your light to be activated.