Is Your Foreign Made Light Fixture Safe?

What to Check on Foreign Made Light Fixtures to See if They are Safe – The wires are smaller because most of the foreign made light fixtures are made to operate on 220 volts. Double check your wire gauge because 18 or 20 gauge sounds very small. By: Dave Rongey

Double Check Light Fixture Wire Size and Bulb Size
[ad#block]Electrical Question: I purchased some Italian light fixtures in Europe and they are wired with approx. 18 to 20ga. Stranded wire.
Are they up to code in the United States or do they need to be re-wired?

This electrical question came from: Michael, a Homeowner from Jacksonville NC
Additional Comments: Great site.

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

What to Check on Foreign made Light Fixtures to See if They are Safe

• The wires are smaller because most of the foreign made light fixtures are made to operate on 220 volts.
• Double check your wire gauge because 18 or 20 gauge sounds very small.
• As long as the watts being consumed will be low then there should not be a problem.
• If the wires size is 18 or 20 gauge then you may have to rewire the light fixture.
• Make sure to consult the manual or manufacturers specifications for specific information.

I have installed several foreign European light fixtures and I have never had to re-wire any of these light fixtures.

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I have installed several foreign European light fixtures and I have never had to re-wire any of these light fixtures.

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