I learned the hard way to not use mechanical door jamb switches; they tend to burn up if the door is left ajar.

A better choice is a magnetic switch in the head of the door.

Any automatic switching device will cost more than a wall switch; only you can decide what the convenience is worth to you.

A light in a closet must be fluorescent unless, in general, the fixture is mounted centered above the door and the face of the fixture is more than 24" from the back wall.

I don't use fluorescent fixtures in home closets because they are not well suited for frequent on-off cycles and the lamps are hazardous when broken. Thin LED fixtures are safer and give a better light but are more expensive and the closet must be deep enough.

We had button/door activated light switches in the master bedroom closets of the home we just sold (lived in it almost 14 years) and never had a problem and don't believe that I replaced a bulb.
We are just finishing up our new home and went with the same switches but LED lights in the closet...our electrician threw them in at no cost but we probably paid for them somewhere else.....wouldn't do without them in the master closets.
We had a motion sensor switch installed in the laundry room ceiling so when my wife comes in with a basked of clothes she doesn't have to flip the switch on.

Loved our button in the jamb switch that was to the pantry in our old house. Never a problem in 27 years.

The only door in our new build that wasn't a pocket and would benefit from the door switch is our coat closet. What a wonderful light that is.... SO glad we put it in.

Our electrician didn't charge more for that one. Even if it had been more, I'd have paid it.

That said, i'm particular about room what to use them in. I don't want one on a closet/space that I might want to be in with the door closed. If it's a walk in closet, then I wouldn't use one there. Also don't cheap out on the switch, use the best available.

This is an easy thing to accomplish in multiple ways. We added a motion sensor to our existing pantry/laundry room light fixture. It's a wonderful feature.

I personally think the door-frame deal is the worst way to accomplish this task, but I probably think this because we are awful about leaving doors ajar.

Renovator or others,

What is the difference between the magnetic switch in the head of the door Vs the door jamb switch. In what way does the magnetic switch turn on/off that leads to less burnt out bulbs?

Thanks,

Carol

We were going to use these on all of the closets and our electrician told me I would regret it, since no one closes closet doors consistently.

So I used them on my pantry, coat closets, and linen closets only. Minimal cost.

Love having it on my pantry.

A push button switch in a door jamb opens an closes the 120 v. hot lead to the closet light circuit. When it is partially activated it can arc and burn out the switch.

The alternative is to install a low voltage magnetic switch in the head of the door that sends a low voltage signal to a controller mounted on the light fixture box turning it on and off.

The devices cost about $25 plus installation labor. It's a nice convenience; there is nothing wrong with a wall switch but that's not free either.

Good info and diagram. Thanks Renovator.

Carol