Wire in lamp question
by
Jodi
+8
Bought this a few years back and it is supposed to be hard wired to a ceiling. I want to just rewire it and use it as a plug in swag lamp. There is a wire running the length of the ceramic guts to the medallion and I'm not sure why. It's a very thin, uncoated wire, possibly a ground of some sort? Do I need it?
What I have
guts
wire looks like it runs to the silver piece
All the way to the medallion
6 answers
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We have replaced a lot of repurposed lights and we didn't connect this wire. I don't know what an electrician would tell you.
Kimberly
on Jul 06, 2014
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If it is connected to the silver piece, it is grounded. Running it to the other piece makes sure both are grounded.
Myrna Engle
on Jul 06, 2014
- See 1 previous
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Could it be a "backup" support wire that would keep the weight of the fixture off of the electrical wiring when you are installing/adjusting it and not relying on the chain for a moment?
Jac
on Jul 06, 2014
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I prefer not to have to use this wire if it isn't needed. No one would probably ever notice it but me but it will drive me crazy.
Jodi
on Jul 07, 2014
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Call your local hardware store. I realize there aren't many. I have rewired countless antique lamps and this has not been a problem. They had no ground wires because they were old. Some even had paper wrapped wire, and/or sold copper wire. Very dangerous. We all know what we would do but feel you should call a real pro. I'm not there.
Myrna Engle
on Jul 07, 2014
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So I am going to do my best to ignore the ground wire and leave it in place. It is a ground for sure and while the light will be plugged into a grounded outlet it is not GFCI so best to just keep it with all the metal in the light. Thanks for the replies!
Jodi
on Jul 08, 2014
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