How to Make Safe Home Made Light Fixtures

Making Home made Light Fixtures: Is it safe to use 18 gauge lamp cord for a home made light fixture?

Make Safe and Creative Home Made Light Fixtures
[ad#block]Electrical Question: Is it safe to use 18 gauge lamp cord for a home made light fixture?

• I have built a regular 60 watt house lamp out of driftwood.
• The driftwood sits in a concrete rock where two junction boxes hold all the connections that then run straight up inside the driftwood to the light switch at the top.
• Is it safe to run 18 gauge lamp cord through wood like this as long as there are no connections between the junction box and the light?

This electrical wiring question came from: Roy, a Handyman from Seattle, Washington.

Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical wiring question Roy.

Making Home made Light Fixtures

Application: Light Fixture Wiring.
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate.
Tools Required: Basic Hand Tools and Safe Ladder.
Estimated Time: Depends on personal experience, the light fixture and access to the light fixture.
Precaution: Identify the light fixture circuit, turn it OFF and Tag it with a Note before working with the wiring.
Notice: Replacement parts for the light fixture should be compatible with the type of lamps that have been installed.

Wiring a DIY Light Fixture

• Roy, as long as you are using UL Approved Lamp Cord and the cord will be protected then this should not be a problem.
• Make sure the light bulb is a safe distance away from any flammable materials such as the dry drift wood. Other than that this sounds like a really great idea – send a picture so we can all see it, Thanks!

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Electrical Tips to Help You Wire it Right The Safest Way to Test Electrical Devices and Identify Electric Wires! The Non-Contact Electrical Tester This is a testing tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and is the first test tool I grab to help identify electrical wiring. It is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use. The Quickest Way to Check for Faulty Electrical Wiring! The Plug-In Outlet Tester This is the first tool I grab to troubleshoot a problem with outlet circuit wiring. This popular tester is also used by most inspectors to test for power and check the polarity of circuit wiring. It detects probable improper wiring conditions in standard 110-125 VAC outlets Provides 6 probable wiring conditions that are quick and easy to read for ultimate efficiency Lights indicate if wiring is correct and indicator light chart is included Tests standard 3-wire outlets UL Listed Light indicates if wiring is incorrect Very handy and easy to use. Strip Off Wire Insulation without Nicking and Damaging the Electric Wire! The Wire Stripper and Wire Cutter My absolute favorite wire stripping tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and this is the tool I use to safely strip electrical wires. This handy tool has multiple uses: The wire gauges are shown on the side of the tool so you know which slot to use for stripping insulation. The end of the tool can be used to grip and bend wire which is handy for attaching wire onto the screw terminals of switches and outlets.. The wire stripper will work on both solid and stranded wire. This tool is Very Handy and Easy to Use.

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