background image

PHOTOCELLS

CAT. NOS. PCIND, PCOUT, PCATR, PCSKY

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS:

•   

TO AVOID FIRE, SHOCK, OR DEATH; TURN OFF POWER AT CIRCUIT BREAKER OR FUSE AND TEST THAT 

POWER IS OFF BEFORE WIRING!

•   To be installed and/or used in accordance with appropriate electrical codes and regulations.
•   If you are unsure about any part of these instructions, consult an electrician.
•   SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS.

WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS:

•   Read and understand all instructions. Follow all warnings and instructions marked on the product.
•   Installer must be a qualified and experienced service technician.
•   Verify the product ratings to confirm that this product will satisfy your requirements and application prior to installation.

PK-A3023-10-00-0A

  OVERVIEW

Leviton Photocells monitor ambient light levels and provide a DC analog 

signal to various microprocessors and energy management systems for 

the purpose of lighting control. There are 4 different styles with 4 different 

possible ranges for a total of 16 basic varieties.

Styles Include: Indoor, Outdoor, Atrium and Skylight
Ranges Include: 0-5V, 1-5V, 0-10V & 1-10V

All 16 varieties require a Class 2 Low Voltage Power Supply providing 

12-24VDC input power to operate properly.

The four different styles of Leviton Photocells have different mounting and 

installation requirements which are covered in the installation section.

  INSTALLATION

Indoor Photocell – PCIND (Ceiling)
Mount the Indoor photocell in a 1/2” hole in the false ceiling tile using the 

adhesive backing. For most general applications the photocell should be 

mounted between 6-8 feet of the window area, central to the area illuminated 

by the electrical lighting that will be controlled. In all cases the photocell must 

be mounted so that it looks at reflected light only and not at any direct light. 

(See Figure 1A)

Indoor Photocell  - PCIND (Reflecting Wall)
Mount the Indoor photocell at a reflecting wall. When sconces are in place in 

the light well, make sure not to mount photocell in direct level as the sconces. 

Place photocell 18” from the bottom corner of the ceiling. Remember, the 

Fresnel lens will see light with a field of view that is 1.15 times the distance to 

the wall. No direct lighting should be within the field of view.

 (See Figure 1C)

Outdoor Photocell - PCOUT
Mount the Outdoor photocell in a standard threaded 1/2” conduit or 1/2” 

knockout. Locate the photocell on the roof or somewhere that is exposed 

to full daylight and is not shadowed or directly exposed to any night-time 

illumination. Photocell must be mounted horizontally, facing North, with the 

hooded portion on top. 

(See Figure 1E)

Atrium Photocell - PCATR
Mount the Atrium Photocell in a standard threaded 1/2” conduit or 1/2” 

knockout. Locate the photocell at the opposite side of the window mounting 

the photocell against the wall or ideally in the middle of the atrium expance, 

facing towards the Atrium glass.

 (See Figure 1B)

Skylight Photocell - PCSKY
Mount the Skylight photocell in a standard threaded 1/2” conduit or 1/2” 

knockout. Locate the assembly near the center of the skylight well (at least 

12” from the side) that is exposed to full daylight and is not shadowed. For the 

best results, use uni-strut with a 1/4” angle support, making sure the top of 

the light photocell is level with top of skylight curb. Photocell must be mounted 

vertically with the domed portion facing up. 

(See Figure 1D)

Leviton Photocells are a three-wire device that can provide DC analog 

voltage inputs to a variety of controllers and microprocessors. In most cases, 

a 12-24 VDC power source must be supplied to the RED and BLACK wires 

on the photocell. The photocell will draw 24mW of power. The DC signal 

voltage is returned to the controller through the YELLOW wire. Wiring the 

photocell to the controller should be done with 18-22 AWG stranded wire. 

(See Figure 2)

•  Do not route the low voltage wire with or near AC power wiring. 

•   For long wire runs or where there is excessive electrical noise, shielded 

cable or cable in conduit is required. 

•  Cable lengths should not exceed 500 ft. 

•  Butt splices are recommended but wire nuts are acceptable. 

•  Wiring should be performed with all relevant power switched off.

RED:   

Input Voltage (+12-24VDC)

BLACK:    Input Return/Output common (+12-24VDC)

YELLOW:  Output Signal to Controller (0-5, 1-5, 0-10, 1-10VDC)

  CONNECTION

PHOTOCELL

STYLE

FIXED CORRESPONDING  

FOOT-CANDLE MIN.

ADJUSTABLE CORRESPONDING 

FOOT-CANDLE RANGES

FACTORY SET MAX.

PCIND

Indoor

0 Foot-candles

50-750 Foot-candles

100 Foot-candles

PCOUT

Outdoor

0 Foot-candles

50-750 Foot-candles

250 Foot-candles

PCATR

Atrium

0 Foot-candles

200-2,000 Foot-candles

1,000 Foot-candles

PCSKY

Skylight

0 Foot-candles

1,000-7,500 Foot-candles

2,000 Foot-candles

  CALIBRATION

Leviton Photocells have a variable gain that can be adjusted by turning the trim 

pot screw that is accessible through the small hole in the side of the photocell 

housing. 

However, making field adjustments are strongly discouraged as 

most field technicians do not have the equipment to do the job with any 

degree of precision. Leviton Photocells are factory calibrated to values that  

are time tested for their applications. If the factory calibration has been altered, 

a recalibration fee will be charged to return the photocell to factory settings. If a 

field adjustment must be made, the following information should prove useful.

The Maximum range of a Leviton photocell should be at least 50% higher than 

the highest set point of interest in the lighting control zone that is controlled by 

the photocell.

•   To increase the output signal voltage at a given light level, rotate the trim 

pot screw clockwise.

•   To decrease the output signal voltage at a given light level, rotate the trim 

pot screw counter-clockwise.

The signal response of Leviton photocells is very linear. If an accurate reading of 

the foot-candle level that the photocell is exposed to is available, the maximum 

range can be set using some basic math. 

Example: If the photocell is exposed to 150FC, and 300FC Maximum is 

desired, adjust the trim pot until the signal voltage is 5VDC for a 0-10V 

photocell.

When calibration is complete, be sure to replace the plastic screw and washer 

to seal the hole from dust and water. If there does not seem to be enough 

information here to adjust the photocell’s gain, you should rely on the factory 

setting or call technical support  for additional help.

NOTE: Field adjustment of the photocell’s gain is not recommended.

Leviton Photocells are functioning when the EMS system analog status 
changes as the photocell detects light. Once calibrated, the photocell 
will need no further attention. Except for the calibration hole there are no 
switches or other user controls on the photocell.

  OPERATION

Every 2 months wipe the lens clean with a non-scratching clean cloth and 
ensure that no foreign debris remains. Check the housing for damage 
such as cracks, burns or other deformations. Check that no moisture has 
penetrated the photocell, as this will likely render it inoperable.

  MAINTENANCE

Reviews: