Install Rope Lighting

Rope lighting combines the advantages of easy installation, small footprint, ambience and flexibility to make it one of the more popular lighting options of the early 21st century. Although the fact that you're fiddling with electrical wiring might be intimidating, actually installing this rope lighting is even easier than installing a ceiling fixture light. Set aside an afternoon for this project. It may take less time, but it's always better to have time to do things right rather than to be in a hurry.

Steps

1. Determine where you want your rope lighting for the best effect and ambiance. Note the line of where the rope will run.
2. Measure the length of the areas where you want to install your rope lighting. Buy a single rope that equals that length, rather than splicing several shorter ropes together.
3. Nail plastic cable clips, appropriate for the diameter of your rope lighting, in place along the line where your lighting will run. Space them every 4 to 6 inches (10.2 to 15.2 cm).
   • Nail the clips in only half the length of the nails. This will give you space to slide the rope lighting in under the clips.
4. Slide your rope in position along the line of clips. You will be able to slip some ropes up into the clips, while other arrangements will require you to slide through the open arch of the clips like a snake. In either case, slide the rope through all the clips before proceeding.
5. Nail down all clips the rest of the way to secure the rope lighting in place.
6. Plug your light rope into the outlet you planned for it. It's usually better to use an extension cord to reach the outlet, rather than running the rope lighting itself to the outlet.
7. Test the on/off switch for your light rope. Less expensive models lack a switch, so you'll need to plug and unplug the rope -- or plug it into an outlet attached to a light switch.
8. Finished.

Video

Template:Video:Install Rope Lighting

Tips

• For a decorative touch, you can fix the extension cord to your wall with masking tape, along with any tail of the rope lighting than might extend onto your wall. Use spray texture on the surface of the tape, then paint over the finished product to make it match the wall.
• Wrap with electrical tape any segment of the rope lighting that you don't want to illuminate. You can also buy specialized sleeves that provide more attractive cover, but these are only necessary for segments of rope that aren't hidden inside a wall, behind a cabinet or inside a cupboard.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Hammer
• Nails, 1-inch long
• Plastic cable clips
• Electrical tape, in color matching your decorating scheme
• Extension cord

Related Articles

• Adjust Recessed Lighting
• Wire a Light
• Buy Track Lighting
• Choose Recessed Lighting

Sources and Citations

• http://www.greenlivingtips.com/articles/96/1/LED---lighting-the-way.html
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DQ0yCZM__I
• http://www.birddogdistributing.com/rope-light-installation.php

See also

• Make a Light Bulb
• Change a Gu10 Halogen Light Bulb
• Make Your Room Pitch Black During the Day
• Wire a 3 Way Light Switch
• Remove a Broken Lightbulb from the Socket
• Replace a Ceiling Light Socket
• Replace the Ballast in a Fluorescent Lighting Fixture
• Install Cheap Motion Sensor Lighting Indoors
• Change a Stuck Lightbulb
• Wire a Light

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