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	Subject - How not to wire a light fixture GayleG Smith I just recently purchased a hanging lamp. I am replacing a ceiling light in my laundry room. I do not wish to rewire a new celing light into the old one. I just want to be able to plug a light in. This light fixture that I bought has a long wire that I can place a recepticle plug onto instead, at least thats what I was told at Lowes. However, I am at a loss as to how to connect this. Where does the black wire goes vs the white wire? Also could I just buy a cord and splice it on to the existing wire that hangs from the new ceiling light? Scott Vickrey What is your reason for not wanting to install the new light in the old one's place? Was it a keyed fixture(pull chain operated)? Are you never planning to turn it off? I strongly recommend against this cord method. First because you will wear out the receptacle with excessive plugging and unpluging of a live circuit. There will be an arc flash every time you plug it in and every time you unplug the light. Each arc will slowly add to the early demise of the contacts in the receptacle. Next thing you know you'll be doing laundry and you'll hear a sizziling noise at the receptacle. That is a potential ignition source. Receptacles are just not made for that. Do yourself a favor and rethink your position. Any self respecting electrician can add a switch to that light in about an hour. You will apreciate it every time you use the light fixture. lectricb My initial thought is that you need to get some one who knows what they are doing, like an electrician. You could cause serious injury or death to yourself or someone else. I'm a little confused about exactly where you want to install the new hanging light. But if you want to leave the existing light in place there maybe some options: There are devices that screw into a standard light bulb socket which have 2 light sockets instead of 1....they have a "Y" shape. Then there are receptical screw in devices that will go into a light socket that you can plug an ungrounded cord into with a 2 prong plug. I would advise against this in most cases because you would lose the protection provided by the system grounding conductor. In other words you are taking a chance that if something goes wrong with your new light the fixture may become energized and electrical shock or death could result if someone comes in contact with it. On a standard 120 volt ac male plug the black wire (the "hot" conductor goes to the narrow flat prong's screw, the white wire (neutral conductor) goes to the broad prong, the green wire (ground conductor) goes to the round or "U" shaped prong. There are covers to go over the box that supported the old fixture that will have opennings for a standard 15 amp 120 volt receptical. Once you put the receptical in and the plug on the new fixture you'll be ready to go. GayleG Smith I'm new to this forum, so bare with me. The reason I am bypassing the current light system is because the qualified electrician that put it there, did a sloppy job in the beggining and instead of using screws, just nailed it in place. That's reason number one, I hate the location. Reason number two is because the socket that you scew a bulb in is very loose and wobbly and the on off chain does not work. And your right I know that I'm not an electrician, but I'm quite old on a budget and I simply can't afford an electrician. So this is what I did, I purchased a brand new extension cord, cut it in half, and wired it to the existing cord on the light fixture. I watched the prongs and made sure that the black line from the new fixture went to the smaller of the prongs and the white to the lareger. True I have no means to cut the fixture off or on, save for unplugging it, but I need light down there and keeping the light on with a florensant 5 year bulb will suit my needs fine. Question? Should I just abandone this idea and just go back to my small lamp? GayleG Smith I have a final problem with my light rigging. After splicing my light fixture together I am left with the ground wire. I wrapped it around the metal fixture with the green ground nut and placed it in the ceiling out of the way. Question? Other than possibly burning down my home in the future, what else should I have done with it??? GayleG Smith Scott, the elderly are a great target for most contractors, I have been took many times and I'm on a very tight budget. Please understand my method is very primative, however I have no other alternative. Scott Vickrey GeeGee, I know that there are some predaceous contractors out there but, electricians are people too. Most just want to get the job done and get home and are sympathetic to others needs. You can't legally use this cord in this way. An extension cord is for temporary applications not permanent installations. I'm sure there are irreplaceble items in your house including you. Don't become a statistic! According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), statistics indicate electrical cords and plugs were involved in about 7,100 fires resulting in 120 deaths, or about 32 percent of all deaths associated with residential electrical system fires, occurring each year. By comparison, lamps and light fixtures were involved in about 8,900 fires and 60 deaths; switches and outlets are involved in 4,700 fires and 30 deaths. In addition, about 3,000 people a year are treated for injuries associated with extension cords. cal_sparky GeeGee, Look into the Home Assistance and Repair Program for Seniors (HARP/S). This is a govt-funded program where qualified volunteers will repair seniors homes for no charge other than materials (if the homeowner has the means to pay). Try locating a HARP/S group through a senior citizens service center. Cliff jproffer62233 GG, Where are you located?..no longer than it would take I would do it for free, if youre close to me, just so you wont do what you're planning.