Quick Question on Wiring Switch Into Fluorescent Fixture

[mmhouse]

I'm no electrician as this question will prove.

I purchased four 2-bulb surface mount T8 fluorescent fixtures with lenses to put toward the rear of my garage where I don't have as much light. They'll be plugged into a (grounded) ceiling outlet and I'm adding a pull chain switch to each one. Since they are the lens type they don't come with the switch installed.

My question is.....

I assume I just go from the black wire inside the fixture to the switch and then back to the black wire on the power cord, is that correct? Then white to white and green (ground) to green.

Just want to make sure I don't do something dumb and, like I said, I'm no electrician!

Thanks to suggestions here I'll be spacing them down just a bit from the ceiling for longer ballast life.

 

[rinny_tin_tin]

I'm no electrician as this question will prove.

I purchased four 2-bulb surface mount T8 fluorescent fixtures with lenses to put toward the rear of my garage where I don't have as much light. They'll be plugged into a (grounded) ceiling outlet and I'm adding a pull chain switch to each one. Since they are the lens type they don't come with the switch installed.

My question is.....

I assume I just go from the black wire inside the fixture to the switch and then back to the black wire on the power cord, is that correct? Then white to white and green (ground) to green.

Just want to make sure I don't do something dumb and, like I said, I'm no electrician!

Thanks to suggestions here I'll be spacing them down just a bit from the ceiling for longer ballast life.

Yes - Switch the black (hot) and don;t break the white (neutral) or ground and you are fine

 

[mmhouse]

Thanks rinny!

 

[mmhouse]

Follow-up Question.....NEED MORE HELP!

Another question on this.....

I'm wiring the fixtures with cords to plug into grounded outlets. I assume I need to have the correct polarity when I wire the cord to the fixture (i.e. black to black and white to white) but I can't tell which is which on the cord. How do I determine which is which?

Is it critical that I have the correct polarity? If so, do I need a meter to test this? What happens if it's reversed?

 

[sparky1562]

When you look at the receptacle, the narrow slot is the hot (right slot with ground pin down), the longer slot is the neutral.

Yes it matters, and make sure you don't switch the neutral.

 

[mmhouse]

Gotcha...thanks much...and GO BOILERS!!!!

-Mike

BSIM '79

 

[mmhouse]

Works like a charm Herb. I even figured out all by myself that one edge of the cord is smooth and the other edge ridged. Just goes to show that us management types aren't totally worthless....and that we're teachable!

Thanks again.

-Mike