How to Hang a Lamp With an Electrical Cord
If you wish you had a bright light over a craft project table, dining table or reading chair, consider hanging a lamp from the ceiling that will cast light down where you need it.
You can use a purchased hanging lamp or easily make your own. You need very few materials, a rudimentary knowledge of wiring, chain and a hook. Even if your cord is too short, you can replace it with one that will reach from the ceiling to an outlet. The best part is that you can accomplish this task in an afternoon.
Things You'll Need
- Purchased ceiling lamp
- Tape measure
- Chain
- 2 ceiling hooks with Molly screw type ends
- Lamp cord (optional)
- Scissors
- Electrical tape
- Drill
- Screwdriver
- Piano wire
- Pliers
Instructions
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1
Use the tape measure to measure the distance up the wall from the plug-in and across the ceiling to the spot from which you will hang the lamp. Add the distance from the ceiling to where the lamp will hang. This allows you to determine if you have enough lamp cord, plus tells you how much decorative chain to purchase for the project.
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2
If your lamp cord is not long enough, rewire the lamp. Be sure the lamp is not plugged in. Cut the old cord a few inches away from the lamp socket. Pull the cord apart at the cut end, making a split cord about 2 inches long. With a sharp scissors, cut the plastic and expose the inside wires. Do the same at the end of the new cord. Wrap the exposed cord around each side and secure with electrical tape.
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3
Gently pull the newly attached cord up to the socket. Release the old cord from the socket screws. Unwrap the electrical tape and discard the old cord. Wind the strands of each section of the new cord around themselves and wrap each set of wires securely around the socket screws. Tighten the screws and trim any stray wires. Guide the other end of the cord through the length of chain at this point so that it will be in place before wiring the plug. Connect the plug from the old cord onto the new cord by using the same wrapping method for the exposed wires.
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4
Use a drill to make a small hole in the ceiling where the ceiling hook will be placed. Insert the end of the hook into the hole. It has a Molly screw end and will open up only inside the hole to prevent the hook from slipping. Place a second Molly screw hook near the juncture of the ceiling and wall to keep the cord from looping at an unattractive angle.
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5
The chain is already on the new cord. Secure it to the lamp with piano wire. Hang the chain and wire from the first ceiling hook. Do the same with the second ceiling hook and follow the wall down to the plug.
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Tips & Warnings
Now that you see how easy it is to attach a new cord to a lamp, look around the house for other suitable receptacles that would make an interesting lamp. See resource 3 for an idea.
Never attempt to hang a lamp by the cord alone. It may loosen from the socket screws and fall down. The chain helps hold the weight and is decorative as well.
