I am looking to purchase a hardwired type pendant light for my kitchen,
but would like to make it into a plug in type.
How do I go about this. What is the skill level and can it be done
safely enough?

"kjpdx" wrote in message
ups.com...
I am looking to purchase a hardwired type pendant light for my kitchen,
but would like to make it into a plug in type.
How do I go about this. What is the skill level and can it be done
safely enough?

what is a 'pendant' light? how bout a link to an example pic?

tnx, lee.

"lee_houston" wrote in message
what is a 'pendant' light? how bout a link to an example pic?


A ceiling mounted light hanging on a chain from the mount that goes onto the
electrical box. Many dining rooms are like that, bathroom lights, etc.

"Edwin Pawlowski" wrote in message
news:sFyrg.280$ZD.3@trndny02...

"lee_houston" wrote in message
what is a 'pendant' light? how bout a link to an example pic?


A ceiling mounted light hanging on a chain from the mount that goes onto
the electrical box. Many dining rooms are like that, bathroom lights,
etc.


If this is the case, OP might use parts from a 'swag lamp' kit. the
wiring, chain, and plug? would usually have an on/off switch
in the ac cord.

lee

On Fri, 07 Jul 2006 19:55:40 GMT, "lee_houston"
wrote:

If this is the case, OP might use parts from a 'swag lamp' kit. the
wiring, chain, and plug? would usually have an on/off switch
in the ac cord.

lee

For the OP find a joist and put a decorative hook (wooden screw) into
a joist. Put another near the wall and drape the chain and wire down
to a plug. Add the in-line switch and a plug and shazzam. Lights...

Reminds me of the sixties.

Oren

"kjpdx" wrote in message
ups.com...
I am looking to purchase a hardwired type pendant light for my kitchen,
but would like to make it into a plug in type.
How do I go about this. What is the skill level and can it be done
safely enough?


I can't think of a way to do it to code but it can be done and be safe to
use. I have done it before. The easy way is to buy a heavy-weight
household extension cord and cut the tri-plug end off. One wire of the power
cord will have a ribbed look and the other will be smooth. Attach the
ribbed wire to the white fixture wire and the other wire to the black wire.
Ignore the green wire. Use small wire nuts, they probably came with the
fixture to connect the wires. Also tape well with electric tape. Do not
subject the connection to any pulling and always unplug the thing to change
the bulb because you do not have a grounded fixture. If you can find a 3
wire, grounded, cord that is not some ugly shade of orange connect the
greens or the green and the bare wire. Now it is grounded.

You will also need to remove the canopy from the end of the chain.

Now how do you plan to turn it off and on? With a two wire power cord you
can install an inline wheel switch to do this. The instructions are on the
package.

--
Colbyt
One picture can be worth a 1000 words.
Post yours at www.ImageGenie.net for FREE.

Does the electrical receptacle (outlet) into which you intend to plug
the light already exist, or do you need to install one? The latter is
makes things considerably more difficult, and installing an outlet
requires a permit in many places.

A few other things to consider: is this a secondary light, or will it
be the primary lighting in the room - if so, if you trip the breaker
powering the receptacle, you will lose your lighting. Also, primary
lighting in a kitchen or bath should be controlled by a wall switch


Michael Thomas
Paragon Home Inspection LLC, Chicago IL
mdtATparagoninspectsDOTcom