I have a chandelier I want to hang where there is no ceiling mount. How can I extend the cord and add a plug?
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Do I have to rewire the whole thing? Would it be as easy as rewiring a lamp? It has 12 bulbs.
12 answers
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This all depends on the chandelier if it has a bracket on the end you most likely can hang it if there is already a light fixture there so pretty much your replacing the light that is already there but if you have nothing then you need to buy a bracket that conect between the ceiling joists then you will have to wire it down to the box were your light switch will be then run a line to a power that is already there close by.
FloorNerd
on Jan 16, 2012
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Thanks Mark, I should have been clearer. I don't want to wire it - I want to hang it from a hook on the ceiling and plug it in. So what I want to change is the cord - to add a plug.
Donna McCrummen
on Jan 16, 2012
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That's ok, you can pick up regular power wire from home depot or any hardware store with the plug on it already, just connect the black ground and white wires from the light fixture from in the unit or you will have wire nuts showing make shore your power wire is long enough too, does the fixture have a chain to hang it with the wire like the wire is inside the chain?
FloorNerd
on Jan 16, 2012
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Cool - thanks Mark. Yes, it has a chain - it is a foyer fixture. I'll be hanging it in my family room from a 22' vaulted beam ceiling.
Donna McCrummen
on Jan 16, 2012
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With a swag lamp that uses a chain without a ceiling mount you simply purchase the clear lamp cord that you weave through the chain. Where you splice the wires you would use a solder gun and shrink tubing to cover the splice somewhere between the chain links. If the links are gold, purchase some gold paint and lightly spray the black shrink tubing once it has been shrunk down to hide it into the chain. Otherwise the black splices would show up. The two wires should be cut different lengths so the splice for the wires are not next to each other. This keeps the splice size smaller over all adding to hiding it within the chain. Once you have the length you want install a new plug on the end of the wire. Its simple and easy to do. The hard part is standing on your husbands shoulders while you hang the lamp.
Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com
on Jan 16, 2012
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Thanks guys, do you know where I can purchase the cords in a 12-15' length?
Donna McCrummen
on Jan 17, 2012
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Thanks Woodbridge for explaining more detailed. Check home depot in the electrical section 1st should carry it there.
FloorNerd
on Jan 17, 2012
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Donna, The proper way to add length to the fixture wire is to replace it from the fixture head. Forget about splicing it in the line itself. Twisting together and soldering it without a mechanical connection is a violation of the national Electric Code.
Midlantic Contracting LLC / Midlantic Electric Inc
on Jan 17, 2012
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Either or but Yes techniclly the conection needs to be in a junction box. @ Donna So instead of splicing and connecting the wire inside the chain or when the chain ends replace the existing wire with the store bought wire to plug in. Just feed it through the chain. You may have to take apart fixture the get to the connections.
FloorNerd
on Jan 17, 2012
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That sounds like the easiest way Mark. I need a cord that's about 12-15' long. Any idea where to get one?
Donna McCrummen
on Jan 17, 2012
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All the big box stores sell the fixture wire by the foot Donna. Just measure out what you need and they will cut it to size. Add about a foot more for the weaving back n forth through the chain.
Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com
on Jan 17, 2012
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Donna...to make the install look better, while your at Home Depot or you local Ace buying the lamp cord and plug....get a canopy kit that matches the chain finish of the fixture. Mount the canopy to the ceiling and you will easily hide the junction of the wires from the fixture to the new cord. In this case, you will only need wire nut connectors instead of butt connectors and shrink. And the canopy will act as the junction box which meets code s tandards. You can swag the chain across the ceiling and sown the wall to the outlet that you will be plugging the cord into. Then you can add an in line switch to turn the fixture on and off.
LandlightS
on Jan 17, 2012
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