
In electrical terms, a hickey is a type of coupling that creates a rigid connection between two pipes and has side holes used for wire exits. Lamp and lighting fixture hickeys are used in ceiling boxes, chandeliers, and lamp bodies. They are also used to hang ceiling fixtures. Hickey benders are a type of hand-operated bender that is 60% smaller than regular benders, allowing the user to make very tight bends.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type | Hand-operated bender |
| Use | Making tight bends |
| Material | Iron, aluminium |
| Size | 60% smaller than hand benders |
| Function | Creates a rigid connection between two pipes |
| Application | Lamp and lighting fixtures, ceiling boxes, chandeliers, lamp bodies, machinery, furniture |
| Features | Side holes for wire exits |
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What You'll Learn

A hickey is a type of hand-operated bender
Hickeys are also used in lamp and lighting fixtures to create a rigid connection between two pipes, with side holes used for wire exits. They are commonly used in ceiling boxes, chandeliers, and lamp bodies and are made of materials such as stamped steel, cast brass, or malleable iron. Cast iron hickeys, in particular, are small, forged pieces of metal that provide a strong and durable connection between two pieces of metal. They are often used in the construction of furniture, machinery, or other metal structures and can be shaped in various ways to meet specific project needs.
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It is used to make tight bends in wiring
A hickey is a type of hand-operated bender that is used to make tight bends in wiring. It is one of two types of hand-operated benders, the other being a hand bender. The key difference between the two is the size of their heads. Hickeys are around 60% smaller than hand benders, allowing the user to make very tight bends close together. Due to their smaller size, hickeys are used when numerous tight bends are required, while hand benders are used for the majority of general bending tasks.
Hickeys are also used in lamp and lighting fixture applications. In this context, a hickey is a type of coupling that creates a rigid connection between two pipes, with side holes used for wire exits. They are commonly used in ceiling boxes, chandeliers, and lamp bodies. Made from materials such as stamped steel, cast brass, or malleable iron, lamp and lighting fixture hickeys come in various pipe thread configurations to meet specific project needs.
In electrical installations, a hickey can be used to connect a ceiling fixture to the electrical box in the ceiling. It serves as a metal connector that attaches the threaded post in the center of the electrical box to the hollow rod with external threads on the fixture. Hickeys come in different sizes to accommodate various thread diameters. The slots on either side of the hickey allow wires to exit the rod and connect with the wiring in the electrical box, facilitating a secure and functional connection.
While the term "hickey" can refer specifically to the connector in electrical and lighting applications, it is also used more broadly to refer to various fixture parts. This versatility in terminology reflects the dynamic nature of slang in the electrical profession, where specific terms can evolve and take on additional meanings or references based on their usage and context.
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Hickeys are used to hang ceiling fixtures
A hickey is a type of hand-operated bender that is used to make tight bends in iron or aluminium. They are particularly useful when it comes to electrical work, as their small size allows users to make tight bends close together.
Hickeys are also used to hang ceiling fixtures, such as heavy chandeliers. In this context, a hickey is a metal connector that attaches the hollow rod of a ceiling fixture to the threaded post in the centre of the electrical box in the ceiling. They come in different sizes to accommodate various diameter threads, and slots on either side of the hickey allow the wires to connect with the wiring in the electrical box.
When hanging heavy chandeliers, it is important to use a strong enough hickey to support the weight of the fixture. Heavier hickeys are made of malleable iron and have legs on both sides. Screw collars are also an important consideration, as lightweight chandeliers use lightweight diecast zinc screw collars, while heavy chandeliers require solid brass screw collars.
To install a hickey, it is necessary to consider the hardware and ensure that it is rated for the appropriate weight. The length of the hardware can be adjusted by using a different length nipple between the hickey and screw collar, or by using replacement canopies of different depths. It is also important not to confuse the ground wire with a safety cable.
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They are also called lamp and lighting fixture hickeys
A hickey in electrical terms refers to a hand-operated bender that is used to make tight bends in conduits. They are typically made of iron but are also available in aluminium. Hickeys are particularly useful when you need to make several tight bends that a hand bender cannot achieve.
Fixture hickeys come in several thread configurations, allowing for wires to exit through the side holes. They are an essential component in lamp making, providing a secure and durable connection between two pieces of metal.
Cross bars are often used in conjunction with fixture hickeys to safely mount lighting fixtures to wall or ceiling electrical boxes. Crossbar kits provide all the necessary hardware for attaching fixtures to the desired surface.
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Hickey benders are made of iron, steel, brass or aluminium
A hickey is a type of hand-operated bender used for bending conduit, most often for bending rigid when doing segmented or long-radius bends, for doing kicks on rigid, and for small angle adjustments. They are also used to secure heavy ceiling fixtures.
Hickey benders are made of iron, steel, brass, or aluminium. They come in different thread sizes, with some being made of cast iron. Hickey benders are 60% smaller than hand benders, allowing the user to make very tight bends close together. As such, they are typically used when a number of tight bends need to be made that a hand bender cannot do.
Hickey benders are used for bending 1/2" and 3/4" rigid and EMT (electrical metallic tubing) conduit. They can be used to create 45, 90, or 180-degree bends, but the user needs to know how to lay out the bends correctly. Some hickey benders have a rounded edge on the back/top side, which prevents kinking the pipe.
Hickey benders are a useful tool for electricians, especially when working with rigid conduit or making tight bends that require small angle adjustments. They are a complementary tool to power benders, which are typically used for most rigid bending applications.
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Frequently asked questions
A hickey is a metal connector that attaches the rod in a fixture to the threaded post in the centre of an electrical box. They are used to secure heavy ceiling fixtures and join two pieces of metal together.
Hickeys are often made of cast iron, which is known for its strength and durability. They can also be made of stamped steel or malleable iron.
There are two types of hand-operated benders: hickeys and hand benders. Hickeys are 60% smaller than hand benders, allowing the user to make very tight bends close together.










































