ELECTRICAL WIRING Question...HELP!!

[Mulishatroop250]

MODS:I double posted this in two forums, i'd like to get this taken care of tonight...PM me if that would be better... I will delete one of the two threads once my question is answered!

Hey, all you electricians out there i need your help... I'm wiring up a 50w HPS light fixture...

I'm in the process of wiring a light fixture. I intend to wire the connection to a 3-pronged extension cord. The fixture has a black, white, and green cord. The extension cord which I chose to cut in half has the green cord in the middle, but the left and right side do not have a white or black casing. I'd like to use the cord I've already destroyed instead of buying a new one and using that one.

So my question is... If you are looking at an electrical outlet, would the left side match the black wire, or would the right side match the the black wire? The plug from the extension cord is connected to the cord in a way that i know which wire is connected to the left prong and which one is connected to the right prong... Thank you for the info in advance I know you guys can help me out!

[dbonics]

dont think you can figure out that way, i dunno. assuming green is your 3rd prong ground. whatever other wire that has a colored stripe on it, should be your positive. the base colors doesnt always matter for telling the difference.

[Mulishatroop250]

I figured it out! Thanks for the one reply!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrical_outlet

The the larger prong on the plug is the neutral wire. It is larger so as to prevent you from plugging the neutral wire into the hot wire. It explains it in the section about US outlets on the wikipedia page. Hope this helps out anyone with a similar problem.

BTW.. I got the 50W HPS from the HOME DEPOT for $29.99! That combined with my 5 CFL's should provide some interesting results! I will post pictures...