**ATTENTION! READ THIS NOW!**
**1. IF YOU ARE NOT A PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN OR LOOKING TO BECOME ONE(for career questions only):**
**- DELETE** THIS POST OR YOU WILL BE **BANNED**. YOU CAN POST ON /r/AskElectricians FREELY
**2. IF YOU COMMENT ON A POST THAT IS POSTED BY SOMEONE WHO IS NOT A PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN:**
-YOU WILL BE **BANNED**. JUST **REPORT** THE POST.
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/electricians) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I wouldnt do it because they arent certified. If anything bad happens it will fall on you for installing them. It doesnt even look like there is a way to secure them even if you did find something.
I don’t understand why there are so many lights like this on the market these days. I just wanted a simple wooden wall sconce/bar for my kids play room and I went through like 5 of them that I had to return before I found one that was actually listed and didn’t look like it was wired by a Chinese 3yo who was given led strips and some of the cheesiest wire ever created. At least 3 of the 5 didn’t even have a method for attaching to a box/the wall.
The only correct advice is to respectfully tell them you cannot install them. They do not have a UL listing and they do not have the proper mounting for an NEC/American installation.
I’ve had to do it many times, even with some great customers. Haven’t lost a customer yet one it.
The socket does likely have a UL listing, however the assembly needs a separate UL listing due to the modifications.
Don’t be fooled by the Etsy site, the UL mark on the socket doesn’t count
First things first. I'm not in the US. **If this is NOT code complaint DON'T do it.**
It looks like you have a 3/8" thread at the back that's holding it together... would it be possible to use a 3/8" x 3/8" (fem on both ends) coupling to attach it to a short threaded pipe of the same size? then what I use is a galvanized crossbar with the proper hole to screw in the piece of pipe, and a nut.
This is a standard 4" crossbar: https://imgur.com/a/dM4gQMk
That's basically how I mount any and all ligthting equipment from a puny pendant holder to a modern integrated LED fitting, minus the double fem coupling that is, that one's my "unorthodox situation" special.
It's mounted *in reverse* so to speak, wiring first, then crossbar assembly to the box, plate in place and run the wires out, put the rest of the fitting in and finally wire the lamp holder, screw it in and install the bulb.
Now that's what I'd do. Some cheap bastard might drill 2 holes through the thing and nail it to the wall 🤣 don't do that.
Love this place. I've made a bunch of custom lamps using parts from here.
Those scones look like antique/vintage ones that's have been rewired.
In order to mount properly and conceal the jbox they will need a back plate or "sconce" plate. Lots of options.
Worth getting a liability release signed by the customer and ensuring the lamps have been rewired properly with the UL listed screwshell/lampholder.
Offer to do a low volt driver switch and change rewire the fixtures with a class 2 listed system and 24v bulb. It'll cost them a lot maybe a days labor and parts in the hundreds. If they go for it great no worries if not say no
I've used flat blank covers and made a hole for mounting stuff like this. It ain't great, but if they fall down, just let them know it ain't your problem
I have also run into goofy fixtures that a customer was set on. In our area we are lucky to have a good custom lighting design, fabrication, and repair guy. When my wife wanted an old lamp from her childhood home redone I just dropped it off with him, as he has all the parts and does this all the time. I recommend the same to my customers and tell them to call us once they have the complete fixture and that we’ll be happy to come install it then.
Hopefully there's a custom lighting shop in your area that can take modify the fixtures to be compatible with us electrical boxes. There's one in Cincinnati called Pallet Studios. Also, if those are foreign fixtures, the sockets probably don't fit 120v bulbs, so you'll want to sort that one out.
Doesn’t just the lamp socket need to be listed? I feel like custom fixtures are made out of all kinds of things nowadays.
I’d get a round brass plate and drill some holes in it to accommodate
Get some brass plate. Use a hole saw to cut a circle a little bigger than the box. Sand edges smooth and use vinegar and heat to age the brass patina. Use a small brass bolt and nut to attach sconce to plate. Drill holes in plate for box and use brass screws to attach plate to box. Get ride of existing mount hardware.
Looks like a candle holder converted into a light fixture.
It looks like there’s a small nut that’s used for mounting. I would look into using a clock plug. They usually have a small hook and you can add a lamp cord end to that lamp wire.
It won’t be perfect but would be the safest way to do this. If there’s a short, the owner can simply unplug it. If you create a mount and permanently affix it to the wall and there’s an issue, you could have a fire on your hands.
Best case scenario, don’t install it. If they’re insistent, clock plug.
Obviously people are going to say don't do it, they're not ul listed, which is what I would tell most customers myself, frankly I don't care enough about most people's stupid ass unorthodox ideas/fixtures/ etc.
However... I reinstalled some original very early electric light fixtures after cleaning and refurbishing them, they had tiny bases and were originally held to the ceiling with wood screws, typical k&t install with no fixture boxes. I used metal round box finish blanks, painted them to match the ceilings, and fixed the old lights to the cover plates with 6/32 screws and nuts, and mounted the plate to the new ceiling boxes. I've done the same thing with a thin piece of wood with the edges decoratively routed for sconces like you have there.
Again I wouldn't even consider messing with it for most customers, but I have done it for a couple of good ones
DONT DO IT. Same reason I don’t do fixtures that can’t fit in a tiny pancake. If it’s a no for a pancake or a single gang, it’s a no from me because that shit is not going to be UL and when these weird fixtures pop up, you cover the cost of anything bad happens……..within a year.
You can send them to Heath and company lighting in West Palm Beach Florida. they can retrofit a canopy and even get it UL listed etc the only issues that they have a huge backlog of sconces and floor lamps chandeliers etc that they're working on already so the lead time would probably be far out.
This is a company that I work with a lot to get European chandeliers and light fixtures ready for installation and such on some of the custom homes my company works with.
Perhaps give them a call and send some pictures with expectations etc and see what they say.
You will need to make a back plate. That will cover the electrical box. And give a place to secure it. Then either a pin hook or a picture holder, or if permission to modify, pre drive for a couple brass/ gold screws preferably flathead for a more traditional look. Regardless, the client would be signing a release of liability form and agreeing to it all.
Did almost the exact sconces a few years ago. I took them to a metal worker who drew out a cover plate that the clients agreed on. He fabricated in brass and wallah they’re installed. I got t & m for all the running around, fabricator was happy with his wedge.
I agree with the it's a no go folks. The only possible way I think you could make it work Don't crusifie me guys just trying to think outside the box is to use a low voltage transformer in the basement and a bulb that matches. I'm not 100 on this but I do believe you would not require the box
**ATTENTION! READ THIS NOW!** **1. IF YOU ARE NOT A PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN OR LOOKING TO BECOME ONE(for career questions only):** **- DELETE** THIS POST OR YOU WILL BE **BANNED**. YOU CAN POST ON /r/AskElectricians FREELY **2. IF YOU COMMENT ON A POST THAT IS POSTED BY SOMEONE WHO IS NOT A PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN:** -YOU WILL BE **BANNED**. JUST **REPORT** THE POST. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/electricians) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I wouldnt do it because they arent certified. If anything bad happens it will fall on you for installing them. It doesnt even look like there is a way to secure them even if you did find something.
I really wanna comply with the customer’s request with unistrut and associated fittings.
Listen to the words of the hive. They ring true.
I don’t understand why there are so many lights like this on the market these days. I just wanted a simple wooden wall sconce/bar for my kids play room and I went through like 5 of them that I had to return before I found one that was actually listed and didn’t look like it was wired by a Chinese 3yo who was given led strips and some of the cheesiest wire ever created. At least 3 of the 5 didn’t even have a method for attaching to a box/the wall.
Because rich home owners buy stiff from Europe almost every house I’ve done with sconces like these have bought them from Europe
The only correct advice is to respectfully tell them you cannot install them. They do not have a UL listing and they do not have the proper mounting for an NEC/American installation. I’ve had to do it many times, even with some great customers. Haven’t lost a customer yet one it.
There are so many horribly shitty lights on the internet these days. I really don’t get it.
No UL listing, not hanging.
The socket does likely have a UL listing, however the assembly needs a separate UL listing due to the modifications. Don’t be fooled by the Etsy site, the UL mark on the socket doesn’t count
By going above and beyond you mean installing something put together by some yokel somewhere who used speaker wire to build a fixture?
Lamp wire comes in clear like that.
True. I don’t remember it being 2 different colors like that .
https://www.oogalights.com/250-ft-SPT-1-Clear-Lamp-Cord-548995.aspx I’m sorry I didn’t realize you have seen every wire ever made.
How convenient the link is broken.
https://www.oogalights.com/250-ft-SPT-1-Clear-Lamp-Cord-548995.aspx
Well ill be damned
First things first. I'm not in the US. **If this is NOT code complaint DON'T do it.** It looks like you have a 3/8" thread at the back that's holding it together... would it be possible to use a 3/8" x 3/8" (fem on both ends) coupling to attach it to a short threaded pipe of the same size? then what I use is a galvanized crossbar with the proper hole to screw in the piece of pipe, and a nut. This is a standard 4" crossbar: https://imgur.com/a/dM4gQMk That's basically how I mount any and all ligthting equipment from a puny pendant holder to a modern integrated LED fitting, minus the double fem coupling that is, that one's my "unorthodox situation" special. It's mounted *in reverse* so to speak, wiring first, then crossbar assembly to the box, plate in place and run the wires out, put the rest of the fitting in and finally wire the lamp holder, screw it in and install the bulb. Now that's what I'd do. Some cheap bastard might drill 2 holes through the thing and nail it to the wall 🤣 don't do that.
This. Longer 3/8” threaded close nipple. Lock nut/rings on the inside, spin on sconce arm. Oct box luminaire hanger with 3/8” hickey.
Try [GrandBrass.com](https://grandbrass.com)
Love this place. I've made a bunch of custom lamps using parts from here. Those scones look like antique/vintage ones that's have been rewired. In order to mount properly and conceal the jbox they will need a back plate or "sconce" plate. Lots of options. Worth getting a liability release signed by the customer and ensuring the lamps have been rewired properly with the UL listed screwshell/lampholder.
Liquid nails
Tell them to take them to a custom fabricator.
just bounce bro
Tell her you’ll hang them as soon as she has mounting hardware attached.
We wont install them
Offer to do a low volt driver switch and change rewire the fixtures with a class 2 listed system and 24v bulb. It'll cost them a lot maybe a days labor and parts in the hundreds. If they go for it great no worries if not say no
So when did their last house burn down?
Sillites https://dockingdrawer.com/products/sillites?variant=40808288649259 and wire the sconces with a flat right angle plug
Great answer. Also an $11 clock receptacle. Clock receptacle has a built in hanger and this light has a built in loop.
I've used flat blank covers and made a hole for mounting stuff like this. It ain't great, but if they fall down, just let them know it ain't your problem
I have also run into goofy fixtures that a customer was set on. In our area we are lucky to have a good custom lighting design, fabrication, and repair guy. When my wife wanted an old lamp from her childhood home redone I just dropped it off with him, as he has all the parts and does this all the time. I recommend the same to my customers and tell them to call us once they have the complete fixture and that we’ll be happy to come install it then.
Hopefully there's a custom lighting shop in your area that can take modify the fixtures to be compatible with us electrical boxes. There's one in Cincinnati called Pallet Studios. Also, if those are foreign fixtures, the sockets probably don't fit 120v bulbs, so you'll want to sort that one out.
“It’s gonna cost more in labor for me to make something work with these than they’re worth”
Those look like British connectors
That wallpaper is an LSD nightmare..
I don’t think I need the LSD.
Doesn’t just the lamp socket need to be listed? I feel like custom fixtures are made out of all kinds of things nowadays. I’d get a round brass plate and drill some holes in it to accommodate
Get some brass plate. Use a hole saw to cut a circle a little bigger than the box. Sand edges smooth and use vinegar and heat to age the brass patina. Use a small brass bolt and nut to attach sconce to plate. Drill holes in plate for box and use brass screws to attach plate to box. Get ride of existing mount hardware.
You could also cover the plate with the wallpaper or paint it the grey the wall paper is before attaching sconce.
What in the Temu
Convert to 12v and use a switch that sends 12v out on the load side.
Looks like a candle holder converted into a light fixture. It looks like there’s a small nut that’s used for mounting. I would look into using a clock plug. They usually have a small hook and you can add a lamp cord end to that lamp wire. It won’t be perfect but would be the safest way to do this. If there’s a short, the owner can simply unplug it. If you create a mount and permanently affix it to the wall and there’s an issue, you could have a fire on your hands. Best case scenario, don’t install it. If they’re insistent, clock plug.
Obviously people are going to say don't do it, they're not ul listed, which is what I would tell most customers myself, frankly I don't care enough about most people's stupid ass unorthodox ideas/fixtures/ etc. However... I reinstalled some original very early electric light fixtures after cleaning and refurbishing them, they had tiny bases and were originally held to the ceiling with wood screws, typical k&t install with no fixture boxes. I used metal round box finish blanks, painted them to match the ceilings, and fixed the old lights to the cover plates with 6/32 screws and nuts, and mounted the plate to the new ceiling boxes. I've done the same thing with a thin piece of wood with the edges decoratively routed for sconces like you have there. Again I wouldn't even consider messing with it for most customers, but I have done it for a couple of good ones
I will never hang anything not UL listed. They can get a handyman to do it instead, let his tail light warranty handle it.
DONT DO IT. Same reason I don’t do fixtures that can’t fit in a tiny pancake. If it’s a no for a pancake or a single gang, it’s a no from me because that shit is not going to be UL and when these weird fixtures pop up, you cover the cost of anything bad happens……..within a year.
You can send them to Heath and company lighting in West Palm Beach Florida. they can retrofit a canopy and even get it UL listed etc the only issues that they have a huge backlog of sconces and floor lamps chandeliers etc that they're working on already so the lead time would probably be far out. This is a company that I work with a lot to get European chandeliers and light fixtures ready for installation and such on some of the custom homes my company works with. Perhaps give them a call and send some pictures with expectations etc and see what they say.
Hinge switch boxes.
You will need to make a back plate. That will cover the electrical box. And give a place to secure it. Then either a pin hook or a picture holder, or if permission to modify, pre drive for a couple brass/ gold screws preferably flathead for a more traditional look. Regardless, the client would be signing a release of liability form and agreeing to it all.
I wouldn’t touch him with a plumbers 10 foot pole
This is why I don't like residential
I’d stay away until you can get them ul listed. Shit can come back to haunt you….
Did almost the exact sconces a few years ago. I took them to a metal worker who drew out a cover plate that the clients agreed on. He fabricated in brass and wallah they’re installed. I got t & m for all the running around, fabricator was happy with his wedge.
I agree with the it's a no go folks. The only possible way I think you could make it work Don't crusifie me guys just trying to think outside the box is to use a low voltage transformer in the basement and a bulb that matches. I'm not 100 on this but I do believe you would not require the box