Need Electrical Help!

[Kris]

Hey guys, I need some help here. I am trying to find replacement lamp cords for my 70's lamps. However, the only cords I am aware of use huge, bulky cords and plugs. The cords and plugs that are original to the lamp are thin, both the cord and the plug. I would like to find out where to get replacements as I shocked myself while plugging one of these lamps back in. I guess age finally caught up with the cord. So to be safe, I am replacing all the cords on these older lamps. Don't need to burn the house down.

I have been reading and SPT-1 wire is much smaller (insulation) than SPT-2 (thicker insulation) - the wire on the right says it is SPT-2. Is the wire on the left SPT-1 or even thinner than that?

The wire and plug on the LEFT is the one I need to replace.

Here is a picture..

[LampHead]

Good luck in your search but I doubt you will find wire that thin. The thicker wire is due to the polorized plugs that are now required by law, you will notice that one side is "striped" and one is not. You can try SPT-1 wire but if im correct the amp rating difference is only 2 amps ( 13 vs. 15 ) so I dont think it will be much smaller then SPT-2.

Now you may see a difference in the same size wire from different companys, just like some newer lava bases (US made)have a thicker wire than others, it all depends on the manufacter. I did find some fairly thin brown lamp cord replacements with roller on/off switch installed in 6ft and 8 ft lenghts that were close to the early vintage cords besides being polorized. How many are you looking for ? I cant really remember where I bought them from, all I remember was it was a online ceramic hobby store with all kinds of electrical stuff. If you want I can try to find it.


LampHead

[Kris]

I have 7 of the lamps that need new cords. They have switches built into the lamp sockets. The regular twist ones. Problem I see with the new cords are, they will be too heavy and tip/tug the lamp. These lamps are really light. They are the plastic beehive tripod lamps.

So the cords you found are the same thinness? Do they still make the same size plug though? This sucks. I might have to go with spt-1. Ugh

[Jonas Clark-Elliott]

Check local building salvage stores. Habitat For Humanity RE Store, etc. If you email me the local big city, Kris, I'll look some up for ya. They often have bins of electrical and lamp parts, or trashy lamps you can buy for a few bucks and use the cords from. I do it all the time. Also a good source for funky old lighting fixtures. Some salvage stores prefer to stick to "antique" fixtures, but others will take almost anything, up to 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s stuff and newer. Habitat RE Stores always take any era of lighting.

[LampHead]

Kris,

On the ones I bought, I would say the cord is about 50% thicker then the originals and yes the plug is the newer "bigger" style. Your only option may be what Bohdan and Jonas suggested, just check the cords carefully as you will be buying older cords which may be getting brittle.

LampHead

[Kris]

Thanks guys for the help. I am not sure what I am going to do at this point.

Jonas - Richmond, VA is the city.

I am going to do some searching and see if anyone has replacements. I just might have to get the newer plugs. Sucks but I would rather be safe than sorry. I did check my alarm clock, it has a thinner but newer cord. This is what I read online. The cord in my picture is thicker than the alarm clock cord. I would say its in the middle of those two cords in my pic. I just might have to use that instead.

[Kris]

I found a cool place online. Got 10 cords for like 11 bux plus shipping. Turned out to be 20 total which is cheap. 10 - 8 foot long cords, brown SPT-1. It's not much bigger than what was on there at all. I am really happy with the purchase. The plugs are molded and bigger, but I know the cords are safe and won't burn the house down :) - I rewired all the lamps a few weeks ago.

[LampHead]

Excellent, glad to hear you rewired them, now you dont have to worry about them. A safe lamp is a happy lamp.


LampHead