SIGforum.com Main Page The Lounge Thinking about replacing floodlights with Nest cameras. Question on bypassing light switch. Maybe a question for electricians?
Main Page The Lounge Thinking about replacing floodlights with Nest cameras. Question on bypassing light switch. Maybe a question for electricians?Go | New | Find | Notify | Tools | Reply | |
paradox in a box |
We just installed some Nest thermostats. Had a hell of time getting one to connect to the app. Turned out I needed to turn off my Orbi satellite. Anyhow the wife wants security cameras and I see that Nest has floodlight/cameras. We have flood lights in the perfect place to simply replace them. The camera/light uses an app to do all the settings. We don't want to accidentally shut off the camera by turning off the light switch. Is it as simple as disconnecting the wires in the switch box from the switch and connecting them with a wire nut? It would leave a dead switch but I'm thinking we will return them whenever we move out so we can keep the cameras. These go to eleven. | ||
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Firearms Enthusiast |
You don't want to keep functioning flood lights to use as needed? I may not understand how the nest flood lights work. Bypassing the switch would work and be easily reversed as you say when you leave. Depending on how soon you leave those systems get dated pretty quick so unless its pretty quick I wouldn't let that be a deciding factor. | |||
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semi-reformed sailor |
Yup easiest is just disconnect the wire in the switch box and wire nut it. "Violence, naked force, has settled more issues in history than has any other factor.” Robert A. Heinlein “You may beat me, but you will never win.” sigmonkey-2020 “A single round of buckshot to the torso almost always results in an immediate change of behavior.” Chris Baker | |||
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| paradox in a box |
The light works via the Nest App, so not the switch. These go to eleven. | |||
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Truth Seeker |
They also sell a light switch cover guard such as This and then your light switch is intact but you won’t flip the switch. NRA Benefactor Life Member | |||
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| Truth Seeker |
Does the Nest camera get its power from the Wired light receptacle? If so, I would install the light switch cover guard. NRA Benefactor Life Member | |||
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| paradox in a box |
Yes it would get the power from the wired light receptacle. These go to eleven. | |||
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| Truth Seeker |
Then I would highly recommend that light switch guard. $3 and no need to disconnect anything and have to reconnect later. NRA Benefactor Life Member | |||
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| Ignored facts still exist |
put masking tape over the switch. I've got one like that which has been that way for 2 years. I've never once turned it off accidently with the tape there. Not sure about the Nest stuff, but there may be a time when a power cycle is required to reset/reboot the device. It's a lot easier to remove the tape than it is to deal with the breaker for the whole circuit.
Depending on where the lights are and how you interpret NEC, and which revision of NEC, that switch may be REQUIRED if you want to stay within the bounds of NEC. At least one wall switch controlled lighting outlet shall be installed in every habitable room; in bathrooms, hallways,stairways, and attached garages; and at outdoor entrances. Might want to ask Skins. He knows more about NEC than I ever will, and NEC keeps changing too. Honestly, I wouldn't rewire the house for some Nest device. I just wouldn't. . | |||
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| Muzzle flash aficionado  |
I would think that leaving the switch active and using a guard or tape to avoid accidentally (or forgetfully) turning it off would be ideal. That way the circuit could be made dead for maintenance purposes (and the guard would prevent anyone from energizing it while working on it). flashguy Texan by choice, not accident of birth | |||
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| paradox in a box |
We have plenty of outdoor lights on switches that aren't on the flood light switches. I checked all the flood light, none have more than one switch. It looks like it would be as easy as connecting the 2 black wires together off the switch. But I'll ask the wife it a cover is good enough for her. I will have to find something aesthetically pleasing. These go to eleven. | |||
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Seeker of Clarity |
As others have said, leave the switch. But what I didn't hear mentioned was the benefit of it. Flipping the light switch will be like rebooting the nest. Like unplugging it, and plugging it back in. I suspect one day that will come in handy.  | |||
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Go Vols! |
He doesn’t want to video camera to be accidentally or easily turned off. There are secure light switches that work with a thin metal key of sorts. There are a number of light switch screw on locks as well from the one originally pictured. | |||
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| Member |
Personally, I'd remove the switch, connect the circuit & put a blank cover over the switch location. You can flip the breaker for reboot or maintenance. The only way I'd Leave it & put a cover over it is if the wife is OK with a 'Fire missile' style switch protector. I'd still bypass the switch, but at least you could say 'I'm arming the guns' to anyone on you doorstep uninvited. I 3D printed one, the wife nixed the idea. | |||
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SIGforum.com Main Page The Lounge Thinking about replacing floodlights with Nest cameras. Question on bypassing light switch. Maybe a question for electricians?
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