Proper Wiring Questions - Other Crafts

CAA Chip and Andy Member Corner table, Molokai Lounge, Mai-Kai. Joined: Jul 13, 2004 Posts: 2277	CAA Chip and Andy Posted posted on Fri, Nov 2, 2007 12:29 PM On 2007-11-02 11:28, Unkle John wrote: ...Should I have to extend the wiring, should I buy extension cords or rewire the lamps for longer wires? I only ask b/c I don't want to start a fire. If money is no object (keep reading after you have finished laughing) add outlets into the ceiling near where the lights will be and have them conected to the wall switch. Or, on a more reasonable note (meaning lower cost), re-wire the lamps with new and longer cords. Extension cords are fine for the appliances or christmas lights. They are not designed for semi-permanant use. They will work, but it is not the best idea. You should be able to get a spool of lamp cording from your local big-box hardware store. Then, re-wire the lamp, pull the wire directly off of the spool and run the cord for the least visibility overall (length of cord is not really an issue with this method), cut the cord and add the plug and your good to go. The color of the cording is not really important because you can paint it to make it even less visible. This also gives you the peace-of-mind of new wiring that is designed for exactly what you are doing. Some tips that will help: Be sure to get Lamp Cording rated for 110v. There is a spool of speaker cord that looks just like lamp cording but it wont take a long run. When you get the cording to where the electrical outlets are, add about a foot of cord before you cut for the plug. Trust me on this one, I have had to cut plugs off of long runs to replace and having that bit of extra to work with really helped. Spend the extra bit of cash to get 'good' wire tacks. There is nothing more annoying than hitting the metal part of the cord with the staple gun. And don't use the hot glue gun, trust me and just don't. If you run all of your wires back to one place you can plug them all into a power-strip and have one switch for everything. Unless you are lucky enough to already have a switched outlet to use. Good luck! Show us lots of pictures of before, during, and after! [ Edited by: Chip and Andy 2007-11-02 12:30 ]

On 2007-11-02 11:28, Unkle John wrote:
...Should I have to extend the wiring, should I buy extension cords or rewire the lamps for longer wires?

I only ask b/c I don't want to start a fire.

If money is no object (keep reading after you have finished laughing) add outlets into the ceiling near where the lights will be and have them conected to the wall switch.

Or, on a more reasonable note (meaning lower cost), re-wire the lamps with new and longer cords. Extension cords are fine for the appliances or christmas lights. They are not designed for semi-permanant use. They will work, but it is not the best idea.

You should be able to get a spool of lamp cording from your local big-box hardware store. Then, re-wire the lamp, pull the wire directly off of the spool and run the cord for the least visibility overall (length of cord is not really an issue with this method), cut the cord and add the plug and your good to go. The color of the cording is not really important because you can paint it to make it even less visible.

This also gives you the peace-of-mind of new wiring that is designed for exactly what you are doing.

Some tips that will help:

Be sure to get Lamp Cording rated for 110v. There is a spool of speaker cord that looks just like lamp cording but it wont take a long run.

When you get the cording to where the electrical outlets are, add about a foot of cord before you cut for the plug. Trust me on this one, I have had to cut plugs off of long runs to replace and having that bit of extra to work with really helped.

Spend the extra bit of cash to get 'good' wire tacks. There is nothing more annoying than hitting the metal part of the cord with the staple gun. And don't use the hot glue gun, trust me and just don't.

If you run all of your wires back to one place you can plug them all into a power-strip and have one switch for everything. Unless you are lucky enough to already have a switched outlet to use.

Good luck! Show us lots of pictures of before, during, and after!

[ Edited by: Chip and Andy 2007-11-02 12:30 ]

Post #341752 by Chip and Andy on Fri, Nov 2, 2007 12:29 PM