How to wire light fixture to extension cord?

hollymartin

is it really possible? I have a pot-like light fixture. Is it really possible to take an old extension cord with the 2 wires and make it like a swag lamp? Is it possible?

All replies would be highly appreciated.

rjniles

Possible- sure.

Wise, no
Safe, no
Code complaint, no

Should you do it? NO

__________________
Location:
Coastal South Carolina

md2lgyk

I assume you want to plug in this lamp, not hardwire it, and that it will not be installed on a box in the ceiling. In that case, building codes have nothing to do with this. You could most certainly use an extension cord. But two-prong plugs are polarized (one prong is wider than the other) so you would have to be sure to properly connect the two wires to the lamp. That's where rjniles' advice comes in - if you don't know how to figure that out, don't do it.

rjniles

The poster is talking about a pot like fixture: I read that as a recessed fixture and should not be connected with an extension cord. If it is truly a light fixture it will have a UL listing and should not be modified for use with an extension cord.

__________________
Location:
Coastal South Carolina

md2lgyk

I guess you're too young to remember swag lights (very popular in the 1970s). They are not fixtures. They are lamps that plug into the wall and are suspended from a hook in the ceiling, usually by a decorative chain.

I understand about the U.L. listing, but if this was properly done it wouldn't be unsafe. It's done all the time with antique lamps and chandeliers.

jbfan

A pot light is not a swag lamp.

__________________
Yes I am a Pirate, 200 years too late. "Jimmy Buffett"

md2lgyk

Read the original post. The OP wants to make a swag lamp. But you are right - the OP needs to clarify what is meant by a "pot-like light fixture." In my experience, most people not electrically savvy refer to pot lights as recessed lights. For all we know, this could be about a lamp that looks like a teapot.

Blondesense

The OP should come back and clarify.

If they do want to make a swag lamp, not hardwired at all, there are kits available.
http://www.lowes.com/pd_387262-1811-...kit&facetInfo=

For safety's sake, the weight of the fixture should be supported by a chain. The electrical cord (kit or extension cord) should not be holding the weight.

jbfan

That may be true, but you can not use an extension cord, you would have to use lamp cord.

__________________
Yes I am a Pirate, 200 years too late. "Jimmy Buffett"

md2lgyk

Yes, you're right.

rjniles

That gives me a good laugh ( I was born in the early 40's and remember my dad installing 2 wire without ground cloth Romex.)

__________________
Location:
Coastal South Carolina

ddawg16

I remember when gas was $0.25/gal....phone #'s were prefixed with the name of the CO "Butler 2315", radios with tubes....cliping playing cards to back of your bike so the flapped on the spokes....no seatbelts in cars.....men wore real hats.....out houses were common....milk was delivered to your front door....and pot lights were wired with what ever you had handy....

__________________
Common Sense is like Deodorant. Those that need it the most don't use it.
My
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
...
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
and
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

Oso954

phone #'s were prefixed with the name of the CO "Butler 2315"

It was the name of the phone exchange. They rarely, if ever, coincided with the county name.

ddawg16

No...."CO" means Central Office.....where the phone switch gear is located

__________________
Common Sense is like Deodorant. Those that need it the most don't use it.
My
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
...
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
and
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

md2lgyk

Wow, is everybody here a geezer? I thought at 65 I was old. Guess not.