I Need some help/advise

[kjpdx]

I am looking to purchase a hardwired type pendant light for my kitchen, but would like to make it into a plug in type. How do I go about this. What is the skill level and can it be done safely enough?

[lee_houston]

what is a 'pendant' light? how bout a link to an example pic?

tnx, lee.

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[Edwin Pawlowski]

A ceiling mounted light hanging on a chain from the mount that goes onto the electrical box. Many dining rooms are like that, bathroom lights, etc.

[lee_houston]

If this is the case, OP might use parts from a 'swag lamp' kit. the wiring, chain, and plug? would usually have an on/off switch in the ac cord.

lee

[Colbyt]

I can't think of a way to do it to code but it can be done and be safe to use. I have done it before. The easy way is to buy a heavy-weight household extension cord and cut the tri-plug end off. One wire of the power cord will have a ribbed look and the other will be smooth. Attach the ribbed wire to the white fixture wire and the other wire to the black wire. Ignore the green wire. Use small wire nuts, they probably came with the fixture to connect the wires. Also tape well with electric tape. Do not subject the connection to any pulling and always unplug the thing to change the bulb because you do not have a grounded fixture. If you can find a 3 wire, grounded, cord that is not some ugly shade of orange connect the greens or the green and the bare wire. Now it is grounded.

You will also need to remove the canopy from the end of the chain.

Now how do you plan to turn it off and on? With a two wire power cord you can install an inline wheel switch to do this. The instructions are on the package.

[MDT at Paragon Home Inspection]

Does the electrical receptacle (outlet) into which you intend to plug the light already exist, or do you need to install one? The latter is makes things considerably more difficult, and installing an outlet requires a permit in many places.

A few other things to consider: is this a secondary light, or will it be the primary lighting in the room - if so, if you trip the breaker powering the receptacle, you will lose your lighting. Also, primary lighting in a kitchen or bath should be controlled by a wall switch

Michael Thomas Paragon Home Inspection LLC, Chicago IL mdtATparagoninspectsDOTcom

[Oren]

For the OP find a joist and put a decorative hook (wooden screw) into a joist. Put another near the wall and drape the chain and wire down to a plug. Add the in-line switch and a plug and shazzam. Lights...

Reminds me of the sixties.

Oren