Rewire a Lamp or Build a New One from Scratch

Since you have mastered the underwriters’ knot you might as well use that skill to fix that lamp in the den that flickers every time your football hero son stomps through the room.

If the lamp is plugged into a good plug – one that grips the prongs tightly, the problem is either with the cord or the lamp socket and/or switch. If the cord is intact and flexing it does not bring on the flickers then you probably need a new light socket.

Replacements are available at hardware stores and home centers for under $5. Make sure you get the correct type as they are available for both two-way and three-way lamps.

Pull the socket into its four component parts; the metal shell, aluminum socket, plastic base, and socket cap (see illustration.)

Unplug the lamp and remove the shade, bulb, and harp.

Pull the shell free from the socket cap and ease out the aluminum socket and plastic base. The cardboard sleeve is an insulator – leave it as is.

Disconnect the wires from the terminal screws on the base but do not allow the cord to slip down into the lamp base. Loosen the set screw and remove the socket cap from the lamp neck.

If you are reusing the existing cord, skip the next step, but if you are replacing the cord, secure the old one by tying a loose knot in the top end so it doesn’t slip down into the lamp.

Cut the plug off the cord and strip the insulation from the last half inch of the wires. Do the same for the wires on the non-plug end of the new cord.

Place the two sets of bare wires parallel and facing each other and twist them together tightly.

Using the old cord as a guide wire, pull the new cord through the lamp base and neck.

Once the new cord is through the top of the lamp you can remove and dispose of the old cord.

Pass the cord through the socket cap (small end down) and tie an underwriter’ knot as explained earlier in the instructions for replacing a plug.

Attach the bare wire ends to the two terminal screws located on the side and back of the plastic socket base.

Push the aluminum socket into the base and push the base and the knot into the socket cap.

Slip the shell over it the whole assembly, lining up the little bumps along the rim.

Pull the cord from the bottom of the lamp until it is tight and the socket cap is seated firmly over the lamp neck and tighten the set screw.

The same procedure can be used to turn any number of things into a lamp. If you can punch or drill a hole for the cord a vase, old pot, bottle, even a piece of driftwood can be wired and glowing in minutes.

Related Electrical Information:

• New Knot, New Plug
• Electrical Mistakes
• Replacing Electrical Outlets
• Toilet Tanks
• Drain Clogs, Part Two
• Electrical Safety Tips & Hazards
• AC Maintenance

Need fast emergency plumbing, electrical, heating, or air conditioning services? Need our services on an evening or weekend? After work? No problem! We're here whenever you need us - 24 hours a day 7 days a week - same low, up front price with no surprises. Call today (800-269-8963) or fill out our online service request.

This entry was posted on Friday, July 24th, 2009 at 2:59 pm and is filed under Electrical . You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.