How to Make a Plug-In Pendant Light

Build a Plug-In Pendant Light Fixture From Start to Finish. With our tutorials and wide selection of lighting parts, you can make your own customized plug-in lighting fixture suitable for any space. Let us help you learn how to make a light today with our approachable attitude towards DIY. With our video tutorials and wide selection of lighting parts, you can make your own customized plug-in lighting fixture suitable for any space. Let us help you learn how to make a light today with our approachable attitude towards DIY.

• Color Cord Mood Orange Mini Tweed
• Standard Socket with Ring
• Color Thumb Switch
• Cord Plug End
• Standard Cord Grip
• Color Cord 3000 - Wire Stripping Tool
• Phillips Head Screwdriver
• Crescent Wrench
• Masking Tape
• Solder Gun & Solder

Please follow the detailed steps in our How to Wire a Socket Instructables.

1. Remove the screw from the top of the plug.
2. Pull-on the prongs of the plug to release the plug from the shell.
3. Insert the same end of the cord into the plug shellʼs small opening.
4. On that same cord end, measure 11/4 “ from the tip of the cloth-covered wire, and wrap an inch of electric tape over the wire.
5. Over the midsection of the tape, strip the PVC housing to expose the 3 conductor wires.
6. We recommend the use of our Color Cord 3000 striping tool.
7. Make sure that there are no cuts on the conductor wires exposing the internal stranded copper wire.
8. Using your fingers, twist the stranded wires together.
9. Locate the positive (brass), negative (silver) and ground (green) terminals on the back of the plug.
10. Loosen the 3 screws on the back of the plug to open the terminals.
11. Wrap the stranded copper wires on each matching terminal screw.
12. The black wire (+) with the positive terminal, white wire (-) with the negative terminal and green wire with the ground terminal.
13. The stranded copper wire should be tucked in the terminal, covered by the screwʼs head. Tighten the screws of each terminal to secure the wire in place.
14. Pull the wires to make sure the wires wonʼt pull out of the terminals.
15. Pull the plug shell over the plug making sure that the screw hole on the cap aligns with the one on the plug.
16. Tighten the plug screw to secure the cap onto the plug.
17. Bring the cord grip towards the plug and insert the threaded ends into the capʼs opening.
18. Twist the cord grip until its tightly secured.
19. Tighten set screw on the cord grip.

1. Place 2 pieces of tape 2” apart (measuring from the outer edge of each piece of tape) where you want the thumb switch on your cord.
2. At the center of each tape cut (with wire striping tool or blade) about 1/32” to 1/6” deep around the diameter of the cord.
3. You might need to bend the cord while you cut to make sure you don't cut the internal wires (green, white and black). Remove the cloth of the wire.
4. With a blade, carefully slice about 1/32” to 1/6” deep from the cut on one tape to the other cutting the outer plastic covering to expose the inside wires (green, black and white).
5. Make sure you don't cut the internal wires and expose the stranded copper wire.
6. Double-check that there are no cuts on the conductor wires exposing the internal stranded copper wire.
7. Locate the black (positive) wire and cut an inch off at the center.
8. Strip one end of each side of the black wire to expose about 3/16” of the stranded copper wire.
9. Using your fingers, twist the stranded wires together.
10. For easier insertion of the stranded copper wire, you may open up the tabs on the thumb switch. You can use a screwdriver or pliers.
11. Place the exposed wire on the thumb switch, placing the black (positive) wires on the side of the tabs, and the green and white wires on the opposite side.
12. Place the stranded copper wires from the black wire on the open tabs.
13. Close the tabs over the stranded copper wire, and using a flat screwdriver press the tabs to secure the wire in place.
14. Secure cap into thumb switch by pressing pieces together. If you use pliers to tighten, protect the thumb switch with some cloth to avoid scratches.
15. This is a hard task, so don't be discouraged. Try a few times!

1. Tie a knot according to the preferred length of cord.
2. Make sure it is secure before hanging the light.
3. Add a securing hook for the other end of the cord.
4. Adjust if necessary.

Voila! You now have a custom plug-in pendant light. This is perfect for your own home office or the kids’ study table!