How to Make a Light Work With a Switch Instead of a Photocell

Locate the photocell sensor on the light fixture. This is a small, round opening with glass in the center. Cover the sensor with black electrical tape. For a more permanent solution, paint over the sensor.

Turn off the power at the home's distribution panel for the circuit on which you are working. Confirm that the power is off by touching a non-contact voltage detector to the wire's insulation.

Follow the power wire for the light and cut it where you wish to install the switch. Strip three-eighths inch of insulation off the three conductors on each cut wire with wire strippers.

Hold the electrical box to the wall surface and secure it with 2 screws through the box and into the wall.

Push the power wires through the access holes in either end and pull about 6 inches of wire into the box. Secure the wires to the box by tightening the compression mechanism with a screwdriver.

Loosen the grounding screw in the back of the electrical box and wrap both green or bare wires around this screw. Tighten the screw.

Twist together the 2 white wires with pliers and install a twist-on wire connector on top.

Wrap the source black wire around the bottom right terminal on the switch and tighten it down. Wrap the light's black wire around the top right terminal on the switch and tighten it down.

Push the wires into the electrical box and secure the switch to the box with the 2 screws provided. Install the cover on the light switch with the 2 screws provided.