Why Does My Dusk to Dawn Light Stay On All Day?


A common issue that people encounter regarding their dusk to dawn lights is that it stays on all day. They are only supposed to turn on when there is no light. Dusk to dawn lights is automatic so you can save money on your electricity bill and effort in turning on and off the lights. But what if it stays on all day? Read the rest of the article below for helpful tips and information that you can refer to.

Why does my dusk to dawn light stay on all day? There are many reasons why your dusk to dawn light stays on all day. This can be because you are using it indoors in a dark room. Another reason is that the light sensor faces a wall and does not have access to direct sunlight. Take note that there is a light sensor that is built into the bulb which causes it to turn on and off.  

What to do if your dusk to dawn sensors turn on all day? Why does your dusk to dawn light stay on all the time? How do dusk to dawn lights work? What causes dusk to dawn lights to go on and off? These are some of the questions that we will discuss. If you want to find out more about dusk to dawn sensors, check out the rest of the article below.

Why does my dusk to dawn light stay on all day
Image by Engin Akyurt from Pixabay

Why do Dusk to Dawn Light Stays on All the Time?

Among the reasons why your dusk to dawn light stays on all day includes system override or obstructed sensors. You must understand the issue about your lighting so that you can determine the right steps on how to solve it.

System Override

A common reason why dusk to dawn light stays on all the time is because of system override. This can be caused by power outages as well as small issues in your system. Moreover, system override can occur if wires are incorrectly placed. The good thing is that system override is easy to fix.

Obstructed Sensors

Another reason why your dusk to dawn light stays on all the time is because of obstructed sensors. This will prevent the light from entering the sensors and turning off. Once the sensors are placed at the bulb, maintenance and cleaning are often forgotten. Because of this, dirt and debris can obstruct the sensors. Make sure that you regularly clean the light fixture.

✅ Video – Dust to Dawn Fails

Steve Gingo shared the video below on YouTube. It discusses the reasons why dusk to dawn lighting can fail. If your dusk to dawn lighting does not turn off at daybreak, check out the video below for the possible problem and how to solve it.

What to do if Dusk to Dawn Light Stays on all the Time?

If your dusk till dawn stays on all the time, make sure that you determine the problem so that you can fix it properly. If the cause is system override, fix your light by turning it off and manually overriding the sensors. Turn off the lights for a while and turn it on to check if it works properly. On the other hand, if you do not have much knowledge about fixing the lights, you should hire the services of a professional to handle the task.

How do Dusk to Dawn Lights Work?

Dusk to dawn lights works with the use of photocells that control when it should turn on and off. The photocells have semiconductors that respond to the light that it receives. If it is dark or there is not enough light, the current flows from the semiconductors and into the lighting system. It turns off again where there is light. There is some dusk to dawn lighting fixtures where you can choose the level of light that will activate the photocell systems. You can also read this article that discusses if all photocells are the same. Check out the article to learn more.

How to Maintain Dusk to Dawn Lights

To maintain your dusk to dawn lights, make sure that you have consistent lighting, and also regularly check your wiring. Dusk to dawn lights that are properly cared for and maintained last a long time.

Consistent Lighting

One way to maintain your dusk to dawn lights is to have consistent lighting. Make sure that the lamps and ballasts have the same category. If not, you will have inconsistent lighting and the system might not work. Moreover, the lamps and ballast should have the same ANSI number to make sure that they are compatible and to avoid problems.

Wiring

You also need to regularly check your wiring. Bad wiring can cause a lot of issues with the lighting system. Make sure that you have your lights and wiring checked by a professional electrician at least once a year. Have it checked immediately if you notice any problem such as inconsistent lighting. You can also read this article that we have shared titled, how does a dusk to dawn photocell work? We have shared an in-depth discussion about the topic.

How to Reset Sensor on Outdoor Lights?

To reset the sensor on your outdoor lights, you first need to flip off the light switch where your outdoor lights are connected. Leave it off for a second and turn the lights on so that it resets the light sensors into an auto. Take note that when you manually override your dusk to dawn lights, it turns off. Moreover, a short power outage that only lasts for about two seconds can override the lights. The good thing is that you can reset them manually. 

How to Choose Dusk to Dawn Lights

When choosing dusk to dawn light, you need to put some factors into consideration like the wattage and lumen, color, and purpose. Below are some tips that you can consider to help you choose the best dusk to dawn lights for your property.

Purpose

One of the factors that you need to consider when choosing dusk to dawn lights is how you plan to use them. These types of lights are usually used as outdoor security lights, but some prefer to use them as indoor lights. If you are planning to use the light outdoors, choose the bulbs that are brighter so that they can provide illumination for a wider area.

Wattage and Lumen

You also need to consider the wattage and lumen of the lights. Wattage is the amount of energy that is needed to generate a certain amount of light. This means that the higher the wattage, the brighter the light will be. On the other hand, lumen refers to the amount of energy that is emitted by the bulb. You can determine the brightness of the bulb by checking its lumen. 

Color

Another factor that you need to consider when choosing dusk to dawn lights is the color. You can choose from a wide array of colors available on the market. Color ranges from warm white, soft white, and cool white. You can also choose other colors like red, yellow, and many more.

How Do You Reset Dusk to Dawn Light?

To reset dusk to dawn lights, turn off the lights and leave it off for about a second. Then, flip the switch back on. It is a simple process to do. On the other hand, if the same problem occurs after you have rest your light, get in touch with a professional to determine the root of the problem and to solve it.

What Causes Dusk To Dawn Light To Go Off and On?

There are different causes as to why dusk to dawn lights goes off and on. This can be because you are using the wrong bulb. Change the bulb of the lighting fixture and see if it fixes the issue. Another reason can be that the sensor is getting hot which results in a thermal shutdown. Moreover, the light goes off and on is because the sensor gets a reflection that triggers it. We have also shared this article titled, what causes a photocell to go bad? Check out the article for more information about the topic.

Can Dusk to Dawn Lights be Adjusted?

Dusk to dawn lights can be adjusted. The lights operate in different ways, but they can be adjusted according to your preferences. You can choose from the wide array of dusk to dawn lights that are sold on the market. Adjust the lights according to the lighting that you would like to have for an area in your property. We have also shared this article that discusses if one photocell can control multiple lights. Check out the article for more information.

Why Does My Dusk to Dawn Light do Not Turn Off?

If your dusk to dawn light does not turn off, this can be because there is no sunlight in the area or you placed it in a room where it is dark. Take note that there is a sensor that triggers the light to turn on and off. If the sensor is not sensing enough light in the area, it will continue to stay on. You can also check out this article that we have shared titled, why do photocells face north? We have shared a in-depth discussion about the topic.

Conclusion

In this article, we have discussed why your dusk to dawn lights stay on all day. We have learned the different reasons why this can happen. To make sure that your dusk to dawn light lasts for a long time, it should be properly maintained and cleaned. Check the lights regularly to avoid developing problems that are hard to fix. Thank you for reading!

Recent Posts