That was helpful. Looks like they have digital versions for three-way switches.

For anyone who is interested, models EI400 and EI600 seem to be compatible with three-way operation.

http://www.intermatic.com/?action=subcat&sid=98

Had to go to Wikipedia to find out that a three-way switch only allows operation at two locations. Need a four-way in between two three-ways to make my set-up work.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light_switch

http://www.intermatic.com/images/instruction_sheets/158ei12085.pdf

The reason I ask is that I have a stairway/hallway combination with three switches (bottom of stairs, top of stairs, end of hallway). It’s amazing how often I find lights blazing away (~200 watts total), even though someone turned the lights on just for a ten second transit.

Funny thing is, I’m the only “skeptic” in the house. :-)

Thanks.

By the bye, just how much energy does it cost to produce these-here gizmos as compared with how much they save? Oh, and don’t forget to account for energy expended on advertising (both in terms of sales and advocacy), inventory and storage issues, delivery, disposal, and whatnot.

I’d include the hot air expenditure of the legislature, but that’s a constant.

I originally bought the IR sensor type last year, and tried it out to no avail.

It just wouldn’t run flourescents, even though it said nothing on the package about that, but did have a statement about motors on the package. So I figured the key was “no inductive loads”.

CA title 42, 2006(i think?) mandated motion detector light switches in new and remodel jobs. Some fellow started selling the switches on eBay for $15 or so, and I bought some for projects. They work fine on fluorescents and small motors like the fan in a bathroom, as the actual switching is a set of relay contacts, not a semiconductor. The new feature over previously available switches of this type is manual on, automatic (or manual) off, where the older types always came on when they sensed motion. My primary application was the old soldering iron on the bench. Now, when I walk away for more than 5 minutes (adjustable) the iron shuts off, and I don’t have to worry about whether it is going to set the bench on fire when I get pulled away for some other task.

Where did you get the info on load sensitivity? Those made to meet the CA mandate have to work with fluorescents, and a bathroom fan is not reactive enough to make any difference. For your closet, get a door switch, although that has to be installed by a licensed electrician, like my son. Hey, you gotta get something back.