How to Convert a Hard-Wired Light to a Plug-In Lamp (and add a roll switch)
Today I’m going to show you how to convert a hard-wired light to a plug in. And I’ll even show you how to add an on/off roll switch.
If you’ve been following the Pretty Handy Girl blog, you will recognize this copper wall sconce from the reading nook post. It was a $5 find at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore!
The sconce was a wall mount hard-wired lamp that had already been converted to a plug-in style. However, it needed a longer cord, I wanted to ditch the brown cord, and add a switch on the cord. The process is the same as wiring a hard-wired lamp to be a plug in. Let’s do this together!
I have to tell you, re-wiring a lamp is one of the easiest electrical DIY projects to tackle. Especially on this sconce since it doesn’t have a long pole that the wires have to feed through. Hopefully, after reading this post, I can convince you to go ahead and fix that lamp. Or put a rolling switch on a light fixture you currently use.
Required Safety Tip: BEFORE WORKING ON ANY ELECTRICAL DEVICE, BE SURE IT IS UNPLUGGED OR YOU HAVE TURNED OFF THE POWER TO THE LIGHT FIXTURE OR OUTLET.
Okay, now that we have that out of the way, don’t be scared, you can do this!
At this point, I actually looked inside the lamp. What the heck is that? Where are the threads?
Oh drat, someone broke a bulb and left the base screwed inside the fixture. Luckily I know 4 Ways to Remove a Broken Light Bulb!
How to Convert Hard-wired Light to Plug-in Style:
Tools needed:
(I’ve included affiliate links for your convenience. I earn a small percentage from a purchase using these links. There is no additional cost to you. You can read more about affiliate links here.)
Instructions to Rewire a Lamp:
1. Unplug the lamp. Unscrew the wire nuts. And untwist the wires.
2. Firmly pull the cord out of the hole. TIP: If you have a lamp with a long pole body, you can tape the new cord to the old so that the new cord is fished through the lamp as you are removing the older one.
3. Feed the new wire back through the hole.
4. At this point (if you need to), you can trim your lamp cord to size using wire cutters. Then you will need to separate the cords slightly using your utility knife to cut gently on the center seam. Strip off about 3/4″ of the white insulation using your wire strippers to expose your wires.
Wire strippers are pretty easy to use. Choose the hole that will just lightly cut the insulation, but not the wires inside. You can gently clamp down and watch as the insulation is scored. Open the pliers and rotate the cord 90 degrees and clamp down again. With the wire strippers firmly closed around the cord, pull the strippers toward the end of your cord. If the insulation is cut all the way through, it should slide right off smoothly.
5. Look carefully at your lamp cord. There should be two wires enclosed in the protective insulation. One side will either have writing on it or will have ridges that run the length of the cord. This “marked or identified” side is the neutral side. It will connect to the white wires in your lamp.
6. Twist the neutral side with the white wire in your light fixture. Twist the smooth unmarked side with the black (or hot) wire on your lamp.
7. Then twist wire nuts onto your wire connections being sure that you cannot see any exposed wires. If you do, cut your bare wires a little shorter and re-twist them together. Then for extra security try to fold the two wires so they are away from each other.
Hey, congratulations! You just rewired a hard-wired light fixture to turn it into a plug in light!
Adding a Switch to your Lamp Cord:
If you want to install a switch on your cord, stay with me…If not, go treat yourself to a cappuccino! You deserve the reward.
Tools needed:
(I’ve included affiliate links for your convenience. I earn a small percentage from a purchase using these links. There is no additional cost to you. You can read more about affiliate links here.)
- Cord Switch (with instructions)
- Utility Knife
- Wire strippers/cutters
- Screwdriver
Required Safety Tip: BEFORE WORKING ON ANY ELECTRICAL DEVICE, BE SURE IT IS UNPLUGGED OR YOU HAVE TURNED OFF THE POWER TO THE LIGHT FIXTURE OR OUTLET.
Instructions to Add a Roll Switch to a Lamp Cord:
1. Determine where you want your switch located on your cord.
2. Using your utility knife, cut a 1 ½” slit between the two cords at the location the switch will be.
3. Look carefully at the wires. You will be cutting the smooth or unmarked wire in the center of your split area. This is your hot wire.
4. Open your switch with your screwdriver. Be careful not to lose the screw or the nut on the reverse side.
5. Now lay your cord inside the switch as shown. If the cut side doesn’t fit neatly on the divided side of the switch, you can cut one of the smooth wires a little shorter.
6. Place the cover back on the switch and screw it back on tightly. You will need to make sure the cover and back fit snuggly together with no gaps. It might help to squeeze the covers together firmly before inserting the screw. This is important, because there are little metal prongs that need to pierce into the wire insulation and touch the bare wire in order for the switch to work.
7. Plug in your cord and test the lamp. Roll the switch, if it doesn’t work you will need to UNPLUG THE CORD and press the switch together firmer and/or tighten your screw.
DONE! You just installed a switch on your lamp cord. Congrats to you!
Happy Electrical Updating!
Thanks for this! I just have one question – what do you do about the copper ground wire?
* Note about bare or green wire: If you have a green or bare wire (ground) on your lamp, it is advisable to ground the wire by connecting it to something metal that is separate from the lamp. I chose to wrap the bare wire around the screws I used to mount it on the wall.
Can’t wait to see what else is on your blog. Thanks for taking the time to post this. I am a new home owner, love doing things myself and I’ve come to the point that I only ask my boyfriend and guy friends for advice when absolutely necessary, their answers are always way too long and much more complicated than needed (after they try to talk me out of it)!
Glad you found my site and yeah for more handy girls!!!
I am a diy ADDICT and just recently discovered the blogosphere, this one is TRULY educational. I have always changed fixtures and switches and stuff but never even thought of putting a switch on a cord. I LOVE it! Thank you so much. Now, to just pick and complete a new project. So many ideas.
Brittany, It’s like you live in the unpainted walls of my mind. I am a new bride in my husband’s (1964) former bachelor pad. I discovered your blog by the sprinkler post ( Why didn’t I think of that.) And now I find EVERY other project I am getting ready to tackle you have done and spelled out for me. Thank you for reminding me I can DIY, and for giving me permission and inspiration to try the things my former lazy self may have hired out.
Thanks for posting! I am trying to convert some sconces to plugins and thanks to you!! I can do it now. =)
I have two wall sconces that I wanted to add a switch to. Thanks for posting (and love your son's nook too).
Brittany, Congrats to YOU!!! That reading nook is so cool. Way to go lady!
Brittany-
you are starting this blog off with a bang!! WOW!!
Thanks for the pretty pics of your flower bed. And I am so gonna come sit on that bench and drink lemonade and talk. . .once the kids are back in school.
Warmly-
Su
Brittany, Your posts are so great. I've recently taken an interest in upholstery and painting found objects and I've already learned so much from you. I subscribed by email and look forward to all your well written instructions. Keep it up!