Replacing a Lamp Socket
Do you have a lamp that doesn't to turn on? One you have to constantly jiggle around the socket and switch to keep lit? Don't throw it away. Replacing the socket will often give it years of service.
Things You Will Need:
- replacement socket
- flat-head screwdriver
- wire cutters
Procedure:
1. Unplug the lamp and coil the cord well away from the outlet. (This is particularly important if you are working in an area where others may helpfully re-plug in the lamp, not realizing you are working on it).
2. Remove the shade.
3. If there is one, remove lamp harp.
4. Unscrew the light bulb and set it where it will not roll off or be broken.
5. Pull the brass-colored sleeve away from the socket to expose the actual socket.
6. Using the flathead screwdriver, loosen the two screws that hold the electrical wires until they can be removed. Discard the broken lamp socket.
7. Pull the lamp cord up until about three to four inches are sticking out from the top of the lamp.
8. Firmly grasp the two ends and pull them apart until the cord is separated for about two inches.
9. Using the wire cutters, snip off the exposed ends of the copper wire. This step gets rid of the old wire, which is often frayed and no longer making good electrical contact.
10. Using the wire cutters, cut the insulation off each half of the separated cord about one inch below its end. Be careful to cut gently so you go through only the insulation, not the copper wire. This step will give you a length of fresh wire that will make better electrical contact.
11. Carefully twist the strands of each length of exposed wire so they are twisted together, then bend the group of strands into a J-shape.
12. Place each J-shaped loop of wire over one of the screws of the new socket and use the flat-head screwdriver to tighten the screw until it firmly holds the wire in place. This step is critical to ensuring that the wires will make good electrical contact with the socket.
13. Put the socket back in place, pushing excess wire back down into the interior of the lamp, and slide the brass sleeve back into place over it.
14. Screw the light bulb back into the socket. (If you've been using an incandescent bulb, this is an opportunity to replace it with a CFL, since a good socket will give stable current for it to strike the arc and sustain operation).
15. Replace the harp and lampshade.
16. Plug the lamp back in and turn it on. Enjoy not needing to fiddle with it every time you turn it on.
I have salvaged several lamps over the years by this simple procedure. In some cases, I have replaced the socket about once every decade, while the lamp body is still going strong.
Posted February 28, 2010.
