Any Electricians Here?

Question

My new apartment building has a Paragon mechanical timer for the hallway lights. The guts were ripped out, so I found a new one and installed it. The conduit to the timer has 4 wires coming out of it. 2 whites, a black and a green. When I first found this deal, the two whites were twisted together and the lights were always on. The black and green were not connected to anything. There is a light switch below the timer, manual override? The light switch has black to the top, green to the bottom.

The clock runs when one white goes to the T terminal and the other white goes the M terminal.

Using a continuity tester, when the timer switch is on, terminals T and 4 have continuity.

Can I handle this myself or should I call someone?

By the by, I know there are cheaper ways to automate hallway lighting, but I bought the new timer already, and besides, my curiosity is piqued. I'd like to see it work now, it's a challenge!

Thank you,

Arnie

Arnie Guida · Answer

Thank you Loren, I got it figured out with the help of an electrician friend.

Thinking it through now, I'd just rather have some light detection device operate all of the hallway and exterior lights instead of having to reset the trippers every so often...

Thank again!

Arnie

Loren Thomas · Answer

@Arnie Guida

Hi, I am an electrician by trade, did you get this figured out or do you still need some input?

Steve Babiak · Answer

The lights were probably always on for safety reasons. In a hallway interior with no windows, there is no daylight. Even with windows, bad weather and clouds will reduce the daylight.

I suggest changing out the bulb to either CFL or LED.

Tim Bishop · Answer

You've already done half the work.  I used to install those for swimming pools.  If you can install a light fixture you should be able to handle it, and you are right, the switch is a manual override so that the lights can be serviced... The timer could be before or after the switch but its probably after so make sure the actual breaker is shut off and not just the light switch.

Don't blame me if you get shocked!!