When you enter a room, lights automatically turning on gives your home or office a very futuristic and contemporary feel. It also makes a good impression on other people. But the question arises, how to make LED lights turn on when door opens? You must be thinking that it would require complicated wiring and a professional to install. Actually, it’s a super simple process and requires only the bare minimum tools and skills.
There are several ways to approach this. Firstly, you can use a sensor-based system. This will turn the lights on and off upon detecting door movement. Secondly, you can connect your LEDs to a magnetic switch. This will allow the lights to turn on when the magnets are not connected, for instance, when the door is open. Sounds too complicated? You don’t need to worry because we’ll guide you through everything.
Lastly, you can also DIY a magnetic switch. This process is a little more complicated, we’ll admit. But if you follow the steps carefully, it will seem like child’s play, and you’ll regret not automating your lights sooner. Now let’s get started without further delay
The easiest method for automating your LED lights is to connect them to a sensor switch. This switch will turn the LED lights on as soon as it detects movement. For example, the lights will be switched on when you turn the doorknob to enter the room.
It can even be installed by someone who has never tried their hand at electrical circuits. This method is a little on the pricey side as you need to purchase a sensor switch which can be costly. Nevertheless, this method uses the most advanced technology. You won’t have to turn switches up and down to turn the lights on ever again.
Tools Needed:
- LED lights or strips. You can find them here.
- A sensor switch. You can also find it here.
- A stable power supply
These are all the tools you’ll need. See, we told you that it wouldn’t require complicated tools!
How to Install:
Here are some simple steps you have to follow, and you’ll be good to go!
- Identify the input and output terminals of the sensor. You can usually find them written on the tag or the back of the packaging.
- The next step is to connect the input terminal of the sensor with an appropriate power supply.
- Then, connect the output terminal of the sensor with the input terminal of the LED light.
- Finally, stick the sensor to the door using double-sided tape or screws.
- Open and close the door to see if everything is working.
After all, this is done, kick back and relax because you will never enter your room and trip in the dark to find the light switch ever again. These sensors are perfect for basements and attics.
How to Automate LED Lights With Magnetic Switch
If you have pets that can trigger sensor switches unnecessarily, then connecting your LED lights to a magnetic switch is the best option. It is also cheaper. This switch works by using two magnets. The lights turn on when the magnets are away from each other, for example, when the door is opened.
Magnetic switches are most commonly used in cupboards and pantries. They are effortless to set up, so let’s find out exactly how to set them up without any further delay.
Tools Needed:
- A Magnetic Reed Switch. You can find it here
- Copper Wires
- LED Lights.
- A stable power supply
How To Install:
To connect a primary magnetic reed switch to your LED lights, you must stick to the steps listed below.
- Firstly, connect the positive end of your LED strip or light with the positive end of the power supply or battery. Use a red copper wire for this.
- Secondly, connect the negative end of the LED light to the COM terminal or the Common terminal of the magnetic reed switch. Use a black copper wire for this.
- Thirdly, connect the NC terminal or normally Closed terminal of the reed switch with the negative terminal of the power supply using a black wire.
- Lastly, screw on the second magnetic part of the reed switch which doesn’t have any terminals to the pantry door or cupboard, etc. This will separate the magnets as you open the door, and the light will turn on.
- Try to open and close the door a few times to check if everything is working correctly.
If you’re looking for something cheap and isn’t time-consuming, magnetic switches are the way to go. They are not as expensive as sensors and don’t require as much time as DIY wiring. So, install these switches on as many doors as you would like and on as many cabinets you would like and enjoy the perks of automation.
How to Automate LED Lights Using Under 1$
If you’re someone who decided to automate your lights because you had a bit of free time on your hands, this is the tutorial for you. DIY wiring like this usually requires a basic knowledge of electrical circuits. Still, we have divided the long, complicated process into simple steps that are straightforward to follow.
This is an enjoyable process, and you can even do it with your kids as a fun DIY project. Although proper precautions should be taken.
The only actual skill you need for this project is cutting and twisting plain copper wires. Hence anyone can do it. Without any further ado, let’s kick start this fun process!
Tools Needed:
- Red, blue, and black copper wires
- Double-sided tape
- Scissors
- A battery
- Battery connector
- String
- LED Lights
- One small and one large nut
You can find all of these items in your local hardware store or even in your essential toolbox at home.
How to Make It:
- Tie the string around the hole of the nut. If you don’t have a string, you can cut a rubber band, and its length will be enough.
- Next, peel the red plastic covering of the red copper wire and wrap the exposed wire around the hole of the same nut you tied the string to.
- Then, peel the blue wire and tie its one end to the LED light.
- Tie the other end of the black wire to the second nut.
- After that, twist red wire (which is connected with the string) with the red wire of the battery connector.
- Connect the black copper wire from the battery connector to the LED light that has the blue wire on one side.
- Next, attach the battery to the battery connector.
- The next step is where it all comes together. Pull the string (that is tied around the larger nut) through the hole of the second nut (which is connected to the blue wire and LED)
- When you pull the string, and the two nuts come in contact with each other, the light should turn on. If it doesn’t, try to check if all the wires are connected correctly.
- Lastly, use double-sided tape to attach the light and battery to the top of the cabinet or door and attach the smaller nut to the door’s hinge.
- Pass the string into the hole of the smaller nut and tape it to the door so that when the door opens, it stretches the string and connects the two nuts.
By following these directions carefully, you can easily automate any light in the house.
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Precautions to Take
Special precautions must be taken if you’re tampering with wires. Here we have listed some of the basic precautions to take to not hurt yourself or others during this project.
- Do not use batteries or wires near a wet surface. This can cause unwanted electrical shock.
- Do not connect the wires with each other when one wire or both are connected to an electrical supply.
- Use strong tape to attach the wires and switches to the door and hinge to avoid falling off.
Conclusion
If you want to level up your standard of living, automating your LED lights is the first step of many. Even if you’re not willing to spend big bucks on fancy switches, you can still learn how to make LED lights turn on when door opens using items that can easily be found in your neighboring hardware store.
All you need to do is follow all the steps given in this article, and you’ll find out that automation is easier than you anticipated. So stop procrastinating and finally hook your LED lights to sensors or DIY switches and finally start your journey towards making your home more futuristic and modern.
