I am thinking of buying an outdoor security lamp complete with light sensor and pir motion sensor

[cloggs]

I am thinking of buying an outdoor security lamp complete with light sensor and passive infra red motion sensor.
But I cannot figure out the way they are generally used. If the light sensor is adjusted for the lamp to be on at all times of darkness, does that mean that the passive infra red motion sensor becomes redundant in darkness because the lamp is already on?
Is it a matter of selecting just one or other of the two sensors to be in use (but not both)? Or is it that if you want to use the passive infra red motion sensor in darkness then the light sensor has to be disabled?

[Wak]

Our out-door safety light, which I suppose is fairly standard, has a light sensor which you adjust so that the light comes on when the daylight falls to a certain level. There is also a timer so that you can adjust the length of time it stays on. It will automatically switch off unless activated by the motion sensor but if you want it to remain on all the time you simply switch it OFF and then switch it back on again within 2 or 3 seconds.
The instruction manual should explain everything.

[Postdog]

Well mine is just a light that automatically comes on when I go down the path so I can put the key in, or so I can see at night (thru the glass door) who is there. I have the light stay on for about five seconds, and if I want longer I just wave my hand.

[magicmerlin]

I think you are getting a little confused.

The ambient light sensor controls when the light CAN come on, e.g. from dust to dawn. The PIR controls when it WILL come on, e.g. when movement is detected, within the time limit set by the ambient light sensor.

If you want the lamp on all the time from dusk to dawn then get a lamp without the PIR, it should be cheaper.

[cloggs]

Thanks y'all. Esp M-M. I was not so much confused as in the dark, but now I see the light!

[terence7556]

will you fit it yourself?
if so the dawn to dusk is like another light and, you will add it to your lighting circuit if it has the capacity to add to. more than like it will be added to the upstairs circuit.
the PIR light will use a lamp(s) in the region of 350-500 watts and must be connected to your power circuit i.e. the ring main