Grounding to electrical outlet

canadianreefer

Well-Known Member
K so I have a track light (3) and I cut the wires and attached them to a plug and so on.
Long story short, it works when plugged in.

So I'm wondering though, there's a grounding wire attached to the track, it's one of the 3 wires; copper. How can I ground the fixture if I don't have a setup for the light in the wall. It's just a regular outlet, 3 prong.

Thanks
 

Nahasapeemapetilon

Well-Known Member
If you bought a plug, attached the wires to it, and it works...I wouldn't worry about it. Just put some electrical tape on the ground wire.
 

TFL1

Active Member
I will see if I can help you out. First of all you always want to ground anything that can be grounded especially around water and what not. If what you are saying is that the track light has a ground wire(copper) and your outlets in your house have three prong plugs that means you are able to ground it. The copper wire would connect to the bottom single prong.So you may want to buy a new cord for it.Buy a cheap extention cord with a ground prong and cut the end off and hard wire it to that.I hope this helps alittle.
 

BCtrippin

Well-Known Member
You can actually buy socket heads. Grounded ones too. They are usually yellow plastic, just attach the wires and screw it together...done.
 

TFL1

Active Member
I will clear my post up alittle lol.With the cord cap you have you land the wires as follows

The hot wire (black) goes to the gold screw
The neutral wire (white) goes to the silver screw
The ground wire(copper or green) goes to the green screw

If you do not see a green screw you dont have a 3 prong groundable cord cap.
If it is the fixture you need to ground to then just use a self tapping sheet metal screw if there isnt a hole for a ground screw.
I think that is alittle less confusing then my first post
 

canadianreefer

Well-Known Member
Hey I figured it out, thanks a lot guys!
Found the green screw. When I pushed the outlet back in though it blew the fuse lmao.
 

VictorVIcious

Well-Known Member
Hey I figured it out, thanks a lot guys!
Found the green screw. When I pushed the outlet back in though it blew the fuse lmao.
Well... at least you found the green screw first. lmao. ok, a few pictures of what you have and I am sure we can clear this up.
 

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