Building my own pendant light. Basic wiring question.

wonderand · 08-07-2011, 01:07 AM

Hi all,

Long time reading, first time posting. Thank you to those who offer your expertise here, it has been extremely useful.

I'm building a 3-light pendant light from scratch similar to this one:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/49645418...sized-art-blue

I'm using 18-3 SVT wire which includes a ground (green) wire, however the light socket has no grounding screw. I've read elsewhere that I can just cut back the grounding wire as it shouldn't be needed, but I just want to make sure that is correct. I do have a ground wire coming through my junction box so I can connect to it if needed.

The socket is shielded in plastic and dropped through the aluminum lid of the mason jar. The aluminum should only be in contact with the plastic so I should be fine, right? Or should I run the ground wire through the socket's shield and ground it to the jar's lid?

Thanks for any advice you can offer.

**oh'mike** · 08-07-2011, 06:50 AM

Good looking light!

I think you will be fine cutting the ground wire back---the lid is insulated from the fixture.