How to Make an Exposed Lightbulb Pendant
A pendant lamp features an exposed lightbulb that hangs from the ceiling by an electrical wire. Pendant lamps can be simple or elegant and stylish enough to compliment the area in which they will reside. Save the cost of paying for an electrician to install a pendant lamp by making and installing it yourself.
Things You'll Need
- Phillips screwdriver
- Wire cutters
- Electrical tape
- Light flex wire
- Fishing wire with hooks
Instructions
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1
Turn off the power to the light socket by switching the breaker in the main panel in your home to the "Off" position.
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2
Access the light on your ceiling. Remove any fixtures covering the bulb.
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3
Unscrew the bulb from its socket and set it aside.
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4
Unscrew the screws around the socket. Pull the socket slightly down to expose the flex cable.
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5
Cut the socket off the end of the flex cable. Strip about 1/2 inch of sheath off the cable to expose the wiring.
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6
Cut a length of flex cable to the desired hanging length, leaving the socket in tact. Strip about 1/2 inch of sheath off the end of this cable.
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7
Splice the two ends of the cable together. Wrap the gap of sheath in electrical tape to cover the wiring. The cable will be hanging down from the ceiling with the socket at the end.
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8
Cut the hook ends off the fishing wire. Attach them to the end of the cable near the socket with electrical tape.
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9
Hang a light metal or wooden frame of some sort by the hooks on the cable. You can use chicken wire, or a Japanese lantern frame or any stylish decoration that will hang from the hooks.
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10
Insert the lightbulb in the socket. Turn on the power.
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1
References
- Photo Credit Polka Dot Images/Polka Dot/Getty Images
