twilight switch

[turner brown]

i have a twilight switch fittied on my shed/mancave the last few days the lights haven't been coming on
the system used is bascilly a relay and lux sensor
WZN-01 - Surface Mounted Twilight Switch 230V//16A/IP20
i dont know if its the sensor or the relay if i disconnect the sensor the lights work and can be used off the switch
whats the best way to test the sensor

 

[FocuS]

hey, I would think a simple continuity test hold the wires on the sensor wires and put it in to light and dark, i would think it would short it and un short it.

 

[turner brown]

the sensor is just 2 wires would a resistence test work ? as soon as i disconnect the sensor the relay works

SOH-01 ZAMEL - Probe light | Works with: WZM-01,WZM-02,WZN-01; 1m | TME - Electronic components

 

[trevortron]

Can you tell if it's an LDR (light dependent resistor) or a phot diode sensor? If the latter it may well have failed, I'm forever replacing them in the dusk-dawn solar lights.
LDR looks like this V : photo diode is like a clear LED.

 

[turner brown]

looks like the LDR from the pics of the part
would have to get ladders up to check tomorrow as fitted in the plastics around the roof

 

[chookey]

Can you tell if it's an LDR (light dependent resistor) or a phot diode sensor? If the latter it may well have failed, I'm forever replacing them in the dusk-dawn solar lights.
LDR looks like this V : photo diode is like a clear LED.

View attachment 128321

It looks like an LDR Trev. Simple check with continuity

 

[turner brown]

thanks will test tomorrow and order replacement bit . hoping its not the sensor as hard to replace where it is and will most likely have to fit somewhere else

 

[turner brown]

think the sensor if nackered no reading on the test . can i just chop into the wire and add new sensor as can get to about 12 inches of the cable.

 

[chookey]

think the sensor if nackered no reading on the test . can i just chop into the wire and add new sensor as can get to about 12 inches of the cable.

That wouldn't work for a couple of reasons.
You can't just decide to locate the LDR in a place that's convenient either. The light needs to fall on the face of the LDR

 

[turner brown]

i understand the sensor need to see the light but the cable cant be got at from inside due to plasterboard
so if i chop at old sensor i should be able to join in there ok was my thinking

this is where it is fitted and what cable that i have access to

 

[chookey]

Doesn't that clear plastic lens just clip in?

 

[turner brown]

no mate its molded on exact part used
SOH-01 Probe light - Works with: WZM-01 -WZM-02 -WZN-01 - 1m | eBay

when i fitted it i ran the cable thro panels that the sheds made of and joined there to run to relay behind internal light switch
so i can get to the relay no problem but the hole is sealed with silicon both sides so only place to join in is the little cable i can see
or its a relocation somewhere but means another hole inthe panel somehere