How to Wire a Hardwire Plug-In Light

Plug-in lights are convenient when you want the flexibility of moving the light from place to place in the room. However, you may have a light that looks better as a wall fixture, or has the convenience of switch operation. In these cases, hardwiring the light makes sense. Performing this task requires a minimum of electrical knowledge, with safety being the primary concern.

Standard (flat head) screwdriver
Telephone 5/8 inch wall plate
Wire snips
Wire strippers
Wire nuts

Instructions

- 1
  Turn off the breaker controlling the chosen switch or outlet at the main electrical panel in your home. This is usually located in the basement or the lowest level of the structure.
- 2
  Unscrew the protective blank plate covering the unused junction box, using the standard screwdriver.
- 3
  Snip off the plug of the lamp. Leave about two inches at the plug end, in case you want to re-attach it at some point in the future.
- 4
  Slide the new cover plate up the lamp's power cord, temporarily out of the way. Separate the two lamp wire conductors by hand, pulling the two in different directions.
- 5
  Strip one inch of insulation from the end of each wire on the lamp. Twist the stranded inner conductors by hand, easing installation of the wire nuts.
- 6
  Place one of the lamp wires parallel to one of the wires inside the junction box in the wall. Align the exposed copper on both wires. Place the wire nut over both wires, screwing the nut clockwise until the two are mated. Repeat for the other wire.
- 7
  Slide the new plate down the lamp's power cord. Screw it to the junction box with the standard screwdriver.
- 8
  Turn the breaker back on at the panel. Test the lamp for proper operation.

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