Wiring a Light fixture - please help

[ForcedTorque]

Yes, I'm that dumb.

I am trying to replace the overhead 4" light in my carport, because the ballast is gone. I am trying to replace it with a similar fixture that plugs into an outlet. My question is, "Is this possible?" The existing fixture had a black and a white, and had a bare copper ground wire. The one with the plug also has a green wire, and I assume that is for the switch on the side of the unit. If I cut off the plug, and don't use the green wire, will the light work, but the switch now be non-functional? I have nothing to attach it to.

This light hangs directly over where I park the Supra. It hasn't worked correctly since I bought the house. Now that I'm unemployed, I have time to address it, but am trying to fix it this way instead of spending money I don't have on a new ballast for the old one.

Thanks for any help you can be

 

[suprarx7nut]

Why not swap your plugged light for one with no plug?

When I was shopping Lowes and home depot for my garage lighting, the non plug ones were bigger and more economical anyways...

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[ForcedTorque]

Cause I'm using what I have around the house. The plugged one is a few years old as well. It will not be as good as a working version of what I had, but it will be an improvement over what I had.

 

[GrimJack]

Easier to add a plug socket to the roof than modify the light. More flexible for the future, too...

 

[suprarx7nut]

Easier to add a plug socket to the roof than modify the light. More flexible for the future, too...

^ Much better suggestion.

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[ForcedTorque]

So we revert back to the first sentence of the original thread! I had not even thought about adding a plug socket. Thanks!

 

[Supracentral]

In the US, the color standards for 110 volt residential wiring are:

White Wire: Neutral/Common
Black Wire: Hot Wire
Green Wire: Ground
Bare Copper Wire: Ground

(There are also blue, red and yellow, but they are not common and are usually used for hot wires or switched runs - if you run into these you're possibly dealing with a complex circuit (like a 3 or 4 way switch setup) and you should call an electrician before you hurt yourself. )

That is what you should find, but verify all of this with a voltmeter, never trust the previous guy, it's possible he didn't know what he was doing either...

 

[Poodles]

If they're of the same size, you could also just swap the ballasts and leave the fixture (ballasts are wear items just like the bulbs)

 

[ForcedTorque]

Socket installed, and fixture securely mounted and working. Thanks guys!

 

[suprarx7nut]

Socket installed, and fixture securely mounted and working. Thanks guys!

Damn, you didn't waste any time. Good work.

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[te72]

That is what you should find, but verify all of this with a voltmeter, never trust the previous guy, it's possible he didn't know what he was doing either...

My parents bought a house from a local guy who's last name was Taylor. If I didn't know better, I could swear he was related to "Tim" off of Home Improvement. The guy was a complete tard when it came to housing projects. Our faucets were flipped (hot/cold handles), the original garage was burned down and converted into a master bedroom due to leaving flammable chemicals near a heater, the secondary garage (the one where the guy worked on boats) was set on fire in a similar fashion, many of the lights and wiring throughout the house were wired incorrectly... the list goes on, but it's a wonder this guy is even still alive. He and I share enough knowledge about electricity to hurt ourselves, which is why I leave this sort of thing to my dad. I'll inspect and try to figure things out on my own, but I ALWAYS consult with him or an electrician friend before messing with anything.

Socket installed, and fixture securely mounted and working. Thanks guys!

Good to hear, congrats!