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  • Rope Light
  • From "DIY Home Repair & Remodeling"
    episode DIR-111
    advertisement

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    Figure A

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    Figure B

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    Figure C

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    Figure D

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    Figure E

    Rope lighting (figure A) is flexible and comes in lengths that can be cut at 18" intervals. Be sure to cut the rope light only where indicated or it won't function properly.

    Materials:

    Drill with spade bit
    Circuit tester
    Flat-head screwdriver
    Rope lighting
    Diagonal cutter to cut rope lighting
    Coaxial cable clips (nail-in or stick-on) large enough for rope lighting
    Pencil
    String
    Safety goggles

    1. Run a piece of string along the route you plan to use for your rope lighting.
    2. Tighten the string, and use it as a reference for marking the areas to be drilled.
    3. Using the marks as a reference, drill holes in the sides of the base portion of the wall cabinets. Use a bit that makes holes just large enough for the rope lighting to pass through.
    4. Thread the rope lighting through the holes, and support it with cable clips as needed.
    5. Place a plastic cap (included in the rope-light kit) on the end of the rope light farthest from the power source (figure B).
    6. On the end closest to the power source, insert male electrode spikes (included in the rope-light kit) into the conductors on the rope light (figure C).
    7. Slip the collar (figure D) and sleeve (figure E) onto the rope light, and tighten the collar to the sleeve.
    8. Insert the female connector (attached to the power cord) to the male connector on the rope light.
    9. Screw the support connector in place to ensure that the male and female connectors don't come apart.
    10. Secure the remaining rope lighting to the cabinet, and plug it in to activate it.

    Installing a Switched Outlet

    To eliminate the need of plugging in and unplugging the light, install a switched outlet.

    1. At the circuit-breaker box, shut off the power supply to the outlet you'll be working on.
    2. Test the outlet with a circuit tester to make sure the power is off.
    3. Remove the cover plate and outlet.
    4. Disconnect the wires from the outlet.
    5. Connect the wires to the terminals on the switched outlet. Switched outlets vary. Follow the manufacturer's instructions.
    6. Install the new outlet, and reattach the cover plate.

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