Many wall lamps and lighting devices come hard-wired to install in your ceiling or wall. But what if you want to add a power cord and plug it into an outlet instead? In a few easy steps you can convert that hard-wired lamp to one you can plug into the wall.
Instructions
Hanging Lamp to Plug-In
1. Locate the wires attached to your lamp. You should have a black (hot) wire and a white (neutral) wire. The insulation on these should be stripped down about an inch to reveal the aluminum or copper wires inside.
2. Cut the end off an . Using wire strippers, carefully strip the insulation about an inch so the two sets of copper wires are exposed.
3. Identify which set of wires is hot and which is neutral. If the wires are already coded black and white, this will be easy. If not, notice that one side of the extension cord jacket is ribbed. This is the neutral wire, which also leads to the wider slot when plugged into the wall. The smooth side leading to the smaller prong is hot.
4. Align the hot wire from the extension cord with the hot (black) wire from the lamp. Using a twist-on wire connector, attach the two by aligning any stray strands, pushing the wires firmly into the connector, then screwing it on until it is firmly connected. Do the same with the neutral wires.
5. Tape all the wires together about an inch from the connectors. This will ensure the wires do not pull apart and the connectors do not become loose.
6. Hang your lamp or find a safe place to set it down. Plug it into a wall socket and watch it light up.
Tags: about inch, extension cord, into wall, black wire, Convert Wired, Convert Wired Hanging, copper wires