Q&A for How to Wire a Light

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The lamp cord on my fixture doesn't have a color. Which wire should I use?

James Hornof
Master Electrician
James Hornof is a Master Electrician and the Owner and President of B & W Electric based in Denver, Colorado. With over two decades of experience in the electrical construction industry, James specializes in field installation, management, estimating, and design. He graduated top of his class in electrical trade school and studied Business Management at The Community College of Denver. James holds a Master Electrician license in Colorado, Wyoming, and Texas.

James Hornof

Master Electrician

Expert Answer

If the fixture has a lamp cord that has no color, then the white wire attaches to the wire that has ridges — you can feel that with your finger. It is important that you attach the conductors correctly as reversing the polarity can cause someone to be shocked if they touch the screw shell base.

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Question

The wiring has two cables, but my light only has two. What should I do?

Community Answer

Isolate the free wire. it will work. That free wire is for safety, but most lights do not need them.

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Question

Is it safe to use a light with bare wires?

Community Answer

If the light uses a high current (like outlets in your house), no. Instead of taking risks of a fire or short circuit, install new wires, or at least cover the bare parts in electrical tape.

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Question

My new fixture has two brown wires. How do I know what wire goes to the black and white in the outlet of the old fixture?

Community Answer

With AC gadgets like fans or lights, it doesn't matter which; just connect the black wire to either brown wire, and the white wire to the remaining brown one.

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Question

If a rewired fixture is continuously illuminating, even if the switch is off, what is the reason?

Community Answer

You or someone else most likely messed up the wiring during installation, so have the wiring checked. The other possibility is that the light fixture itself is not working. Also, check the wiring from inside the ceiling or wall where your light is located.

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Question

How can I rewire a lamp?

Community Answer

Take off the bulb, open up the bottom and there will be two wires - a red one and a yellow one. Take the red and twist it with the yellow wire.

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Question

If I turn the switch off and the light turns off, does that stop all power going to that light? Is it safe to change the fixture without turning off the breaker?

Community Answer

If the power goes from the switch to the light, then turning off the switch will cut power and make it safe. If the power runs to the light THEN the switch, there will still be a live wire in play regardless of the switch position.

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Question

I have 3 wires coming out of the ceiling red/black/copper/ - what are they?

Garrie Nassau

Community Answer

Usually, the copper wire is ground. The black and red wires are typically switched hot leads. You can search for a color electrical wire color coding guide online for more details.

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Question

Can a power switch be turned into a plug socket?

Garrie Nassau

Community Answer

No, a power switch cannot be turned into a plug socket, because you would need a neutral wire, and the typical power switch does not have one.

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