Grounding wire necessary?

adam3039

Member
Hey! I just wired up a 4 socket fixture for 4 bulbs, The fixture came with a grounding wire, but the extension cord I used to wire it up, doesnt come with a grounding wire, Should I be worrying about this?

I mean really I could go buy an extension cord with a ground, but just curious if it is necessary!
 

NJMB

Member
The ground is not necessary, it is merely a safety measure in the event current passes through the light fixture and you are in contact with it (not the current for the light itself, an outside source of current such as lightning or being energized by another loose live wire). The current would follow the path to ground (via the copper ground wire) instead of running through your body to the ground. It is EXTREMELY unlikely you will ever encounter a problem with not having a ground on a light source. Just use the cord you have and don't lose any sleep over it.
 

technik420

Member
you shouldnt trip but it would be good to take some precautions and still ground that wire (some metal surface) incase of a shortage
 
Top