How to Change a Lamp Socket

Contents

Step 1: Remove the old socket

Step 2: Inspect the wire ends

Step 3: Connect the new socket

Step 4: Test and install the shade

All lamps sold today have screw-in sockets, and the bulbs (halogen, compact fluorescent lamp (CFL), or LED) are fitted with the corresponding bases (E14 or E27 bases, the number meaning the diameter in mm).

Older fixtures often have bayonet sockets (B15 or B22 bases), so it becomes necessary to change them. In addition, many recent fixtures have screw sockets of poor quality: the plastic becomes brittle with age, especially if they have worked with lamps too powerful. Here again, the replacement of the socket is unavoidable in order to continue to use these fixtures.

Follow this step-by-step procedure to change a lamp socket.

1. Dismantle the old socket

Caution: Before working on a fixture, always turn off the power or unplug the fixture if it is a lamp.

Remove the bulb.

If the fixture is equipped with a shade, it is held in place by a ring screwed onto the socket. Unscrew the ring, remove it, and take off the shade.

Good to know: Inspect the cable or power cord sheath. If it is worn or cut in places, replace the cord or cable as well. This is especially true of articulated fixtures such as architectural lamps.

Next, locate the connecting ring that joins the socket to the base. Loosen this ring to separate the 2 parts.

Remove the nut contained in the sleeve and loosen the 2 small screws that hold the ends of the electrical conductors.

Once the wires are detached, remove the nut and the base of the socket.

Good to know: whether the sockets are plastic or metal, the rings are sometimes difficult to loosen. Use a pair of pliers. But don’t overtighten to avoid damaging the components of the socket.

2. Inspect the wire ends

Look at the core ends of the wires. The copper is probably tarnished, but this is not serious. However, in the case of multi-stranded wires, if only 2 or 3 strands remain, the wires should be cut.

Cut the damaged wire flush with the sheath.

Do the same for the other conductor, even if it looks better.

Then pull the cable or cord a little to bring it out to the same length.

Good to know: if the luminaire has several parts or if it is quite large (floor lamp), push the cord a little in its housing at the base. Then alternately pull and push the cord at each junction.

Strip about 5 mm of the conductors with a wire stripper so that you can connect them later.

3. Connect the new socket

If the old socket could be unscrewed, replace it with a socket of the same type.

Thread the base of the new socket onto the wires. If necessary, screw it in place.

Insert the wires into the nut and tighten the screws without forcing.

Good to know: the blue wire corresponds to the neutral, and the red or brown wire to the phase.

Replace the sleeve and tighten its connection ring.

4. Test and install the lampshade

Reconnect the lamp or turn on the power.

Place a bulb in the socket and test it.

If it is successful:

Remove the bulb;

place the shade and tighten its ring;

Replace the bulb.

If not, check the wire connections:

unplug or turn off the power again;

release the nut, unscrew and reinsert the wires so that the contact is made well;

reassemble and test your light again.

Good to know: Choose a low-consumption bulb to save energy.

Equipment needed to change a socket

Wire strippers

Cutting pliers

Multi-socket pliers