I would Like to hang some pendant lights from my ceiling. I want to use this wire. I would only put one bulb (like this) on each length of cord and connect them all to the 12-2 at the ceiling. Is this going to work or will I burn my house down? also is there a limit to how long my cord length can be
Electrical – use 18g cord for one light bulb
bulbelectricallightingwire
Related Solutions
First off you do not want to hang the light by the socket that you purchased. With the poke in holes for the wires this is NOT an acceptable mounting system for your lamp - heavy glass or not.
Next note that the wire used to hang lamps is a special type that has strengthing cord built into the cable.
The conventional hanging lamp fixture has a two piece socket assembly that has a top part that slides up on the cord. The cord is then knotted with a special electricians knot that puts equal tension in all the conductors and fibres in the cord. The ends of the wires then attach to the lower portion of the conventional socket via screw terminals. Finally the top and bottom parts of the socket firmly snap together to hide the knot inside. The hanging lamp assembly pulls against the knot to transfer the weight into the cord from the ceiling.
If it is a fairly lightweight fixture, you could try a zip tie or two around the cord. This may not work depending on how hard the cord is and how heavy the lamp is. But I have used them with light weight pendants and cords that had some flex so the zip tie could squish the sheath a bit to keep it from slipping.
Another option, if there is enough space, is to use a Waterproof Cable Gland they tighten onto the cord and depending on the cord material may not slip. But there may not be enough space for one. I seem to recall having a pendant light once that had something like this built into it to allow the height to be adjusted.
Related Topic
- Electrical – convert a single circuit with multiple lights/1 switch to control 1 light/switch
- Lighting – Fluorescent Without Fixture
- Installing a light designed to be hard wired as a corded light- what happens to the ground
- Electrical – Double earth on metal case light fitting Qld
- Electrical – Wiring three light fixtures to a headboard for the bed
- Electrical – Extension cord requirement for outdoor string lights
- Electrical – Converting pendant light to wired hanging lamp – what to do with ground wire
- Electrical Light Fixtures – How to Attach a Cord from a Pendant Light to a Threaded Shaft
Best Answer
18 gauge wire is commonly used in mass-produced lamps. I don't see a problem with using it for single runs of 60w max. It's rated for 7 amps at up to 50 feet. You'll draw about half an amp.
However, the connections you make are perhaps more critical. Be sure to use sound methods when bringing the wires together at the source.