Cool Tube Wiring

Could anyone explain to me how to wire a cool tube?

How is the socket grounded, how do you connect it in the tube.

Basically how do you not electrocute yourself

A lot of the DIY tutorials I've seen, it looks like it isn't grounded? This guy had taken apart a Hydrofarm assembly, the top part has the grounding wire hooked up though?

Another one it looked kind of like the ground wire was attached to the metal bracket at one end of the tube.

In confused, anyone got any knowledge on this?

hey s677.... my cool tube is grounded through the primary wire connecting the lamp to the ballast... unless you or some one has disconnected the ground it should be intact... a small pop rivet on the lamp end of mine connects it to the bracket... though i have seen different variations .... if you have a 3prong cord more than likely its grounded.... you can do a simple check with a continuity checker to be sure.... good luck

toast master said:

hey s677.... my cool tube is grounded through the primary wire connecting the lamp to the ballast... unless you or some one has disconnected the ground it should be intact... a small pop rivet on the lamp end of mine connects it to the bracket... though i have seen different variations .... if you have a 3prong cord more than likely its grounded.... you can do a simple check with a continuity checker to be sure.... good luck

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Thanks for replying ToastMaster. I think I did a really crappy job asking my question, or didn't ask it at all. I understand the cord from the ballast to the lamp has a ground wire in it. I think maybe this question is specific to the hydrofarm lamp cord assembly. The ground wire that comes out of the cord is attached to the inside of the top part of the lamp cord assembly. If you take off that top part, which everyone who makes cool tubes seems to do, then they've effectively taken off the part that the ground wire was connected to. I see two wires coming out of the sockets in these - I don't see three, so I don't see how it's grounded.

I have one other question. I'll probably make another thread or just start PMing people who seem like they would know.

How do you attach the lamp and bulb inside so it isn't an electrical hazard? I asked what would happen if I attach the whole lamp assembly with a metal bracket, and someone said I would get electrocuted if I touched it, and yet that is EXACTLY what every DIY cooltube here shows. Is this just rampant fire hazard causing tutorials on here? Or could someone explain how those DIY cooltubes are NOT going to electrocute someone, because they sure look like they are, and if they aren't I'd like to build one.

If someone could please take a few minutes, maybe PM me and walk me through wiring a lamp socket or whatever this entails, I would really, really appreciate it.