How to connect a power cord to rope light

We’ve had people ask for directions on how to connect power cords to rope light. This is my attempt to try to explain it and I have added pictures to help get my point across. If your anything like I am, pictures help a lot!

First, I’d like to mention a couple of very important rules when working with rope light.

Never cut rope light or work on it while it is plugged in!
Never cut rope light other then where it is supposed to be cut.
Connect only pieces of the same voltage and wire. In other words – Do not attempt to connect 2 wire rope light to 3 wire rope light or 12v to 120v

Tools Needed

1.Rope light cutter or a good pair of scissors
2.Needle point hobby awl or a paper piercing tool or a heavy duty carpet needle (straight not curved type) or a very thin nail about an inch long.
3.A sealant that is both waterproof and a glue
4.Waterproof duct or electrical tape
5.Popsicle stick or something similar (optional)
6. And of course... Rope Light

Rope Light Markings

Most rope light will have markings where it can be cut. The markings can be at different intervals depending on the type and/or manufacturer. Most of our LED rope light is cuttable at 20” intervals and the cut mark looks like this.
You will need to cut the rope in the center of the scissor.

What do I cut rope light with?

Rope light is not that hard to cut using a good pair of sharp scissors.
If you plan on doing a lot of cutting, I would suggest purchasing a tool specifically made for doing this. We use a rope light cutter AKA PVC Cutter and do sell these on our web site. It cuts like a knife going through soft butter. This is one of my favorite tools.

Piercing the Rope Light

What I mean when I say “piercing the rope light” mean just that. I do this because it makes it a lot
easier to push the pins into the rope light. On the connectors, there are two pins that need to be pushed into the rope light and the pins must come into contact with the wire inside of the rope light. Here is what the connector/power cord looks like.
Top left corner is a ½” connector and the other is a 3/8” connector. They come already attached to the power cord.
The pointy tool at the bottom is what I use to pierce the rope light. Its a needle pointed hobby awl.

After you have cut your rope light, remember to put an end cap on to the end that you have cut so that you don’t mix up which end you should be putting the power connector on.
You will now take the awl and line it up next to the wire in the rope light and using steady even pressure push the awl straight into the rope light right next to the wire.

Think of it as if your pre drilling wood so that it does not crack under the pressure of a larger drill bit. Remember, the pins must make contact with the rope light wire.
You will only need to push the awl in about a half an inch. The wire in the rope light and the pins coming from the connector are not centered but off set. Just line them up and remember to push those pins straight in, never wiggle or twist. By wiggling or twisting you may push the wires to the center of the rope light which will either ruin that section of rope light and/or your power cord since these wire are not supposed to cross or touch each other.

NOTE* Remember to put the compression nut on the rope light side so you can connect to the coupling
Push the rope light all the way into the connector and then screw the compression nut on.

This is when you will want to temporarily put the end cap on and then plug in the power cord and make sure your rope light lights up. If it does, put a little sealant around the outer threads of the connector and screw the compression nut back down. It is recommended that sealant be used wherever you think water could seep in. You will want to protect that connection from water seeping in.

Did You Say Popsicle Stick?

Yes! I have started using 3” sections of popsicle sticks to help hold the rope light onto the power cords and to prevent that section from bending. After having a few of these connections pull or come apart, I had to find a way to hold the connection straight and secure. After bending the connections so many times, I found that over time and use will work themselves a part causing me to have to re-do the connection. My time is important to me and doing this over again is the last thing I want to do.

So… while that sealant is all sticky and gooey, place a 3” section of the popcicle stick on one or both sides and then tape it on covering the entire stick and connection. I use either weather resistant duct tape or moisture resistant electrical tape. Put about 3 layers on it. This is also optional. I’ve just learned to safe guard where ever I can.

We’re Almost Done!

All that’s left to do now is put the end cap on with the sealant. This is pretty much self explanatory … just put a thin line of sealant either around the end of the rope light or the inside of the end cap and push the cap all the way down onto the rope light.

Whalla!!! You are now ready to use your rope light!

Finished
I hope you have found this "How To" helpful. If you should have any problems, send us an email at support@Christmas-LEDs.com and we’ll do our best to help you.

All pictures and information are the property of Suprtec Novelties, LLC and
www.Christmas-LEDs.com
You may copy or print for personal use only.
Pictures and info supplied by Valerie Piechur