How to Install Dollhouse Wiring Tape

Electric wiring tape allows lights in every room of the dollhouse.

Even a dollhouse becomes more comfortable and realistic with the use of electric lighting. Installing electric wiring tape is one of the easiest ways to provide lighting for every room. Use electric tape to add ceiling and wall lights, picture lights and accent lighting to each room in the dollhouse. Install chandeliers, hanging lights, wall sconces or other lights using a simple grid method of laying out electric tape under desired wallpaper or wall finish.

Things You'll Need

• Pencil
• Ruler
• Double row copper electric tape
• Soldering gun and solder
• Junction splice
• Lamps
• Electric lamp outlets
• Paper
• Hand drill
• Razor blade or knife
• Lead-in wire
• 12 volt electric transformer
• Electric test probe
• Electric bulb with socket and plug

Instructions

1. Begin at one end of room and draw a pencil line 1 inch to 1 1/2 inches above the floor; cut measurements in half for half scale. Install the double-row copper electric wiring tape at the line, going from one end of room to the other in a continuous strip. Wrap the tape around the edge to the outer wall and to the back edge of house.

2. Stop the tape line about 1/2 inch from the edge on back wall. Fold the tape over itself and hold. Measure and draw a vertical line to the bottom of the house. Run the rest of the tape from the fold, or cut and run separate tape, in a vertical line to the bottom of the house. Stop or continue running tape under the house. Cut off excess tape. Use the same method to run tape across the ceilings for ceiling fixtures, connecting to the already installed tape.

3. Attach the folded edge of the tape wire by soldering the corners instead of using brads to ensure connection of individual tape lines. Pound in a junction splice just above the bottom edge of the house with one nail point meeting each copper line of tape, or insert under the house with holes at the edge to allow easy plug insertion.

4. Decide on the location of lamps and wall lights. Mark the location on walls. Add outlets for lamps by laying a second strip of tape wire over the already installed tape line and run vertically to the bottom of wall. Solder at the point where the two tapes meet to form a connection. Pound the lamp outlet into bottom of the tape wire about 1 inch above the floor to allow room for baseboard.

5. Drill a hole in wall and run the lamp wires through the hole. Strip off plastic coating from the ends of each wire with a razor blade or razor knife. Solder one wire to each copper row, making sure wires do not touch or they will short out. Let the lamp hang and attach it to the wall after the wallpaper is applied, cutting a small slit in the paper to go around lamp unless the lamps will have plugs.

   Attach u-shaped end of lead wire to transformer, putting one end under each screw and then tightening. Insert prongs on opposite end of lead-wire into holes in junction splice. Plug transformer into electric outlet.

6. Test the electric tape by touching prongs of testing probe to the copper rows of the electric tape while the transformer is plugged in. Test the tape with a bulb or lamp instead by touching the prongs of a plug to each of the copper rows of electric tape.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid using too much solder to avoid large bumps. Solder can be sanded.

• Solder has a strong odor, so work in a well-ventilated area.

References

• Minishop.com: Electric Wiring
• Dollhouse Miniatures.com: Types of Electric Tape
• Dollhouse Collectables: Electric Tape Wiring Guide

Resources

• Dollhouse Miniature Club: Wiring Information