Hacking Energy-Saving Lighting Systems
Just in case you ever wanted to do this: Here is how to turn off the lights (and keep them off) when it is controlled by a Novitas sensor like the one shown below and you don’t have the optional manual switch wired to it. You will need a small flat-head screwdriver for this simple procedure.
This particular sensor has two compartments at either side of the domed IR sensor that can be opened by sliding a screwdriver between the compartment’s cover and the body of the unit. If you look closely, you should see a channel, at one corner, where you can insert the screwdriver and twist it to open.
Open the compartment with the DIP-switches. Be sure to record the current state of all the switches before you make any changes.
Disable the sensor by sliding (or toggling) the auto/manual DIP-switch (#1 in this unit) from the auto position to the manual position. See the inside of the cover for a printed legend identifying each switch. This will disable the sensor so that it does not detect any motion. With the unit now disabled, you can turn off the lights by cycling the “Manual Override†DIP-switch (#8 in this unit) on and off. You may need to repeat this procedure on the other units if the lights stay on.
So there you go. No more “guessing” how to do this. 
January 5th, 2007 at 2:02 am
Or just tape an index card over the sensor.
January 5th, 2007 at 7:14 am
You know, as simple as that sounds, I could not get that to work. At least not to turn off the lights. This unit has dual IR and ultrasound motion sensors. Covering the ultrasound sensors simply left the lights on. I also wanted a solution that turned off the lights immediately, as a bonus, I found one that also hides any visible indications of a “re-programming”.