Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi there,

I want to install 3 keyless porcelain lamp holders in my custom monitor cage. My buddy who is helping me with the cage said I can just attach the wires from an extension cord to the light terminals. Is this true?

The instructions on the Leviton lampholder I bought at Home Depot package say I should have black (hot) and white (neutral) wire but the extension cord I was going to attach just has copper wire inside. I am clueless and any suggestions would help.

thanks!

Thats the ground(green) There is a ground(green) on the fixture as well. Actually someone at Home Depot will show you what to do. Or buy that little book on basic electricity.

My advice would be to get the book. I tried asking people at both Home Depot and Lowes the exact same thing and they just sat there looking at me with their thumbs up their asses like I just asked them to cure cancer.

Electricity is easy, Black is hot, its the source of juice. White is neutral, which returns any extra, loose or wild electricity back to ground. And green is ground, white and green go to ground back at the breaker box.

Think of it as water, only water that can knock on your thumbless arse. Its actually fun, when you get to know it a little. Such things as hooking up lites are very easy and fun. Even those folks with the warm thumbs can do it. The key is, make sure, all hot lines, black or red, are shut off or unplugged. Leave working with hot lines to us pros who like pain.

Thanks much guys. I actually talked with a helpful guy at the Depot.
I posted this question on the cage forum as well and one person suggested I attach building wire to the fixtures instead of the extension cords as they are more durable and resistant to heat. Any opinion on this?

I guess I will just buy that book!

-C

That really depends on you. But, there is context. For one lite fixture, a pigtail cord is fine. You will want to go with 14 gauge or 12 gauge, instead of cheap 16 gauge. It also depends on where its at. Inside, outside etc.

For small wattage fixtures, say 100watts and down, even 16 gauge is fine. Again, no yes or no answers.

With electricity, overdone is better then underdone. get the book. hahahahahahahahaha

Already ordered it!

I am thinking of installing three 50w halogens. The guy at the hardware store was worried about the porcelain fixtures I would use because of the heat from the halogens but I think he just didn't know if it was dangerous.

thanks much FR

50watts are fine, also there are both plastic and procelin fixtures that look the same. The plastic ones, not so good, but will work.

Thanks much FR!