Is anyone an electrician or know about plugs/outlets?
Question:I have a small utitlity (a wireless security camera) that has an Input of 100-120V, ~.4A, 50-60 Hz. It might help to say that I live in the United States. The utility plugs into a normal wall outlet fine. I want it to hang upside down on the ceiling. Problem is, I don't want an extension cord running from the ceiling down to the nearest outlet. Next to where the utility will be, there is a standard celing light. My question is, is there anyway to somehow connect the utility to the electricity that the ceiling light is getting? I don't know much about electricity so I will probably call someone in to do it--if it's possible. Can anyone tell me what I can do? Thanks.
Answers:
Uhhh, I'd recommend against screwing with the wiring in your socket. It's not worth the hassle and the danger, and ... well, what if you want a light there later?
In every hardware store, they sell these nifty little things that screw into the light bulb receptacle and provide you with one, if not more, plug-in receptacles. They're non-grounded, so they'd work well for your little two-lead (two-pronged) plug you have with your security camera. It installs in as much time as it takes to screw in a light bulb, there's no messing with the wiring and your house circuitry, and you can take it out and put it in at will. Very simple, very easy, and it costs about $3.
Ohh, and what about having the light there later? They make them with optional light bulb receptacles as well. In my experience, you can then have a light bulb and two plug receptacles. They even come in an assortment of colors!
:-)
It can be done, and its usually not a difficult job. Having said that, if you don't already know what you're doing, go ahead and call an electrician to do it for you.
Go down to home depot and buy a christmas ligh plug conversion. Its a plug that replaces the bulb in your cieling light fixture for a regular wall outlet. Its cheat and easy and works for a long time. This way you wont need a professional to come and install it. Good Luck!
If the camera only draws 0.4A, then I would imagine it would be fine to connect to the junction box which contains the ceiling fan wiring. Of course, you would have to have access to that box, turn off the power to that circuit, and run the wire thru the ceiling (ideally). If you don't have any electrical background, it would be very helpful to have someone around who knows about house wiring, otherwise you might end up popping the breaker or even worse zapping yourself!
you would just need to splice into the power that the light gets, but that would also mean that the camera would turn off whenever you flipped the light off. you can have a professional come in and do that for you. they could also just direct wire it to a power supply that would probably work better. if you had to you could install it in a corner with the extension cord and just put a corner shelf to hide the cord. you actually have a few options and the electrician will llet you know his opinion for what to do.
Not hard to do if the light is hit hot. If there is only a switchleg at the light, it's a bit more involved. Take the fixture down. If there is more than a black, white, ground to the fixture, or blacks, whites, grounds, to the fixture, there is hope. If there are any wires, other than those tied to the fixture, there is hope.
If you plug your security camera into the ceiling light, keep in mind your camera is going to be powered only when that light is turned on. If you still want to use the ceiling light, the home center or hardware store should have adapters you can screw into a light socket which will provide you with an two prong outlet.
If you need a constant power source, I would install a new outlet near where you are placing the camera. The best way to do this would be with wiremold conduit. This allows you to run wires on the surface of the wall and it provides a protective cover for the wiring. The wiremold boxes, raceway, and other fittings are available at a home center. You will also need conduit wire (black, white and green) probably 12 gaugae. The associate in the electical department can help you with your project from there.
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