Question: Hi, I am moving a hanging ceiling fixture from one room to another. The power cord on the hanging lamp is one color, not black and white at the ends. I forgot to take note which cord went to black and which to white. One lead is ribbed and the other is smooth instead of being color coded. Is there a rule of thumbe as to which will go to white and which to black?
Thanks
Answer: Lamp cords typically have these types of cords, and if you look at one of those, the ribbed is on the "large" conductor of the plug, which would be the negative (or white) side.
With an incandescent bulb, though, there shouldn't be any problem if they're reversed, since they work both ways. I wouldn't worry about it. Greg
FYI:
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Joe Tedesco, Bob Vila Moderator
The polarity is very important and must never be reversed!
Please disregard the last sentence in the previous message here!Reference 2002 NEC
200.10(C) Screw Shells.
For devices with screw shells, the terminal for the grounded conductor shall be the one connected to the screw shell.
200.11 Polarity of Connections.
No grounded conductor shall be attached to any terminal or lead so as to reverse the designated polarity.
WOA is me!!!!
[This message has been edited by Joe Tedesco (edited 01-03-2003).]
