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Light Fixture And Address Light Stopped Working

  
  
  

We get calls from homeowners that they have received a noticelight fixture from their homeowners association that their light fixture or fixtures are out. This typically means the address light and the coach lights on either side of the garage (some communities will only have the address light that is uniform).

You can sure check the bulbs, but this usually indicates that no power is getting to the fixtures. This can be traced back to the photocell. A photocell is a switch that “sees” the light. When it gets dark outside, the switch activates and allows electricity to flow to the fixtures. Conversely, when the sun rises, the switch stops the power and the lights turn off. The photocell is cheap and it’s easy to replace. The only challenge you may have is finding it. Look on the side of the house (usually the South side) for an exterior junction box with a small bulb in the middle of it. You will replace this “bulb”.

Most home centers will carry replacements and they are easy to install. Turn off the power at the main panel, remove the box cover and disconnect the switch. Reinstall the new switch (it is only 2 or 3 wires), and secure the box cover. Once you turn the power back on, you can test the photocell by placing a piece of black electrical tape over it (to trick it into thinking it is dark), and the lights should come on.

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