A photoelectric sensor turns outdoor lights on at dusk and off at dawn. Automatically. No timers to adjust, no manual switches to forget. It senses ambient light levels and controls the circuit based on how dark or bright it is outside.
Votatec's photoelectric sensors come in twist-lock and button-mount styles, compatible with most outdoor LED fixtures including street lights, wall packs, LED flood lights, and area lights. CSA certified and rated for Canadian weather conditions. Ships from our GTA warehouse.
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What Is a Photoelectric Sensor?
It's a light-sensitive device that mounts on or near an outdoor fixture. Inside there's a photocell that measures the amount of natural light hitting it. When the light drops below a set threshold (usually around dusk), the photoelectric sensor closes the circuit and the fixture turns on. When daylight comes back, it opens the circuit and the light shuts off.
Simple concept. Been around for decades. But the newer models are more accurate and last longer than the old cadmium-sulfide cells. They also work better with LED fixtures, which draw much less current than HID.
You've probably noticed these on street lights and parking lot fixtures. That little round dome on top of the light? That's the photoelectric sensor.
How Does a Photoelectric Sensor Control Dusk-to-Dawn Lighting?
The sensor continuously reads ambient light levels. Most have an adjustable threshold, so you can set exactly when the lights kick on - some people want them on a bit before full dark, others prefer to wait until it's actually dark.
There's usually a built-in time delay too, typically 15-30 seconds. This prevents the lights from flickering on and off when a cloud passes over or headlights hit the sensor. Without that delay, you'd get annoying on-off cycling during partly cloudy evenings.
Two things matter when picking a dusk-to-dawn sensor: the voltage rating and the load capacity. Make sure the sensor matches your fixture's voltage (120V, 208V, 240V, or 347V) and can handle the total wattage of the lights it controls. For LED fixtures, wattage is rarely an issue since they draw so little power.
Where Do You Use a Photoelectric Sensor?
Photoelectric Sensor for Street Lights and Parking Lots
This is the most common application. Municipal street lights and parking lot pole fixtures almost always use twist-lock photoelectric sensor controls mounted on top of the fixture. The ANSI C136.10 twist-lock base is standard across the industry, so replacements are straightforward. Pop off the old one, twist on the new one.
For parking lots running all night, a photoelectric sensor saves energy compared to keeping lights on a fixed timer. Sunrise and sunset times shift throughout the year. The sensor adjusts automatically. No seasonal timer changes needed.
Dusk-to-Dawn Sensors for Wall Packs and Flood Lights
Wall packs on building exteriors, flood lights aimed at signage or loading docks, and security lights around perimeters. Most of these fixtures either come with a built-in photocell or have a knockout for adding one. If yours doesn't have one, a button-mount sensor wired inline does the same job.
For commercial buildings, this is often a code requirement. Outdoor lighting needs automatic shut-off controls, and a photoelectric sensor is the simplest way to meet that. No programming, no networking, no apps. Just a sensor.
Photoelectric Sensors for Commercial and Industrial Lighting
Warehouse yard lights, loading dock fixtures, gas station canopies, and any outdoor commercial lighting that needs to run dusk to dawn. In industrial settings, the sensors need to handle higher voltages (208V, 240V, or 347V) and tougher conditions. Our models are rated for -40°C to +70°C and are sealed against moisture and dust.
For larger facilities, one sensor can control multiple fixtures through a relay or contactor. You don't need a separate sensor on every light.
Which Photoelectric Sensor Do You Need?
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Twist-Lock Photoelectric Sensor Controls
The standard for pole-mounted fixtures. ANSI C136.10 base twists into a receptacle on top of the fixture. Available in 120V, 208V, 240V, and 347V. This is what most street lights and parking lot fixtures use. If you're replacing an old photocell on a pole light, this is almost certainly the type you need.
Look for "fail-on" models. If the sensor fails, the light stays on rather than staying off. For security and safety, you want the lights running even if the sensor dies.
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Button-Mount Photoelectric Sensor for LED Fixtures
Smaller sensors that mount on or near the fixture with a stem or bracket. Common on wall packs, flood lights, and smaller area lights. Some wire directly inline with the fixture, others plug into a sensor port on the fixture itself.
A button-mount photoelectric sensor is a good option for retrofitting an existing fixture that doesn't have a built-in photocell. They're compact and easy to install.
Photoelectric Sensor Electrical Specifications
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120V Photoelectric Sensor Residential
120V photoelectric sensor rated for standard residential voltage systems controlling outdoor lighting, security lights, landscape illumination. Residential dusk to dawn sensor for outdoor light voltage specification for homes and light commercial applications.
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208-277V Photoelectric Switch Commercial
208-277V photoelectric switch rated for commercial voltage systems controlling parking lot lights, building exteriors, street lights. Commercial photoelectric sensor switch voltage specification for industrial and municipal applications with higher-voltage electrical systems.
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1000W Load Capacity Dusk to Dawn Sensor
1000W load capacity dusk to dawn sensor controls up to 1000 watts of connected lighting suitable for residential and small commercial applications. Standard photoelectric light sensor wattage rating for single fixture or small fixture group control.
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2000W High-Capacity Photocell Sensor
2000W high-capacity photocell sensor controls up to 2000 watts of connected lighting suitable for multiple fixtures, large area lighting. Heavy-duty dusk to dawn light sensor capacity for parking lots, large building exteriors, multiple security lights.
Sensitivity and Adjustment Features
1- Adjustable Sensitivity Photoelectric Light Sensor
Adjustable sensitivity photoelectric light sensor features dial or adjustment screw customizing activation/deactivation light levels. Customizable light sensor photocell preventing premature activation during cloudy days or delayed shutoff during dawn conditions.
2- Fixed Sensitivity Dusk to Dawn Sensor for Outdoor Light
Fixed sensitivity dusk to dawn sensor for outdoor light features factory-preset activation/deactivation thresholds without field adjustment. Standard photoelectric sensor configuration for typical installations without special lighting conditions or interference.
3- Time Delay Feature Photoelectric Sensor Switch
Time delay feature photoelectric sensor switch prevents rapid on-off cycling from passing car headlights, temporary shadows, brief light changes. Stable photocell sensor operation preventing nuisance switching from temporary light level fluctuations.
Votatec photoelectric sensors and dusk-to-dawn switches are CSA certified, LED compatible, and rated for Canadian weather. Available in twist-lock and button-mount styles. Ships from our GTA warehouse.