How To Repair A Floor Lamp Socket
This in-depth DIY guide covers how to repair a lamp or light fixture. Includes how lamps work, switch repairs, lamp dimmers, and much more.
Nearly problems with lamps and light fixtures occur when power is interrupted to the light fixture or when the lightbulb or its socket is defective.
Before working on the electrical components of a lamp, unplug the lamp!
How a Lamp Works
Regardless of how sophisticated or elaborate the design, near lamps take the same bones wiring and construction.
A typical lamp includes a shade that sits on a frame called a harp. A socket holds the light bulb, or several sockets may hold several bulbs, and a string runs through a hollow aqueduct, called a stalk, inside the body of the lamp.
If a table or floor lamp doesn't piece of work, do the obvious: Put in a new working bulb. If it still doesn't light, check the circuit breaker or fuse that serves the lamp's outlet.
If the circuit is working, you lot may demand to replace the string, lamp socket, or plug. For complete coverage on replacing lamp cord, please run into How to Supervene upon Electrical Cords and Plugs.
Be sure to replace cords and sockets with parts that are identical to the originals.
If you're non comfortable working with electrical wiring, voltage testers, and the like, endeavor a few uncomplicated procedures detailed in the manufactures listed below, merely, if those don't solve the trouble, take the fixture to a lighting repair store.
Lamp Switch Repairs
The about common bug with lamp switches are that they cease to work or, worse, requite off sparks when you flip them off and on. If the switch gives off sparks, it should be replaced.
If a switch doesn't piece of work at all, outset brand sure the problem is with the switch and not the lite or device information technology'south intended to plow on and off. This is easy to do. Just replace the bulb with a working lightbulb or plug a working apparatus or lamp into the switch-controlled receptacle and try the switch again.
How to Install a Lamp Dimmer
Would you like to be able to suit the illumination of a tabular array or floor lamp? This article volition help you understand how to install a dimmer switch either in the socket or on the cord of a portable lamp. If you want to install a dimmer on congenital-in lighting, please see How to Install a Dimmer Switch.
Lamp dimmers, sold online and in hardware stores, come in a few dissimilar varieties. They are intended for controlling different types of lamps, from incandescent to compact fluorescent (CFL) to LED, so it's important to pay attention to the specifications. These are the main types of lamp dimmers:
• Plug-in table or floor lamp dimmers allow you to simply plug your lamp into the device, plug the device into the wall, and dim the lamp from the device.
• In-line lamp string dimmers, which can be attached to a lamp cord, are the to the lowest degree expensive type—they mount directly on the string.
• Lamp-base dimmers screw directly into a lamp's socket. Some are controlled just by touching them.
Installing a Lamp Cord Dimmer
You tin can buy a lamp cord dimmer online or at a hardware shop or lighting store. Here are directions for wiring a cord dimmer:
1 After making sure your lamp is unplugged, utilize a utility knife to separate the two wires in your lamp's cord.
2 Determine which wire is neutral and which ane is hot. This isn't always easy to discern just, in many cases, the hot wire has smooth insulation, and the neutral wire is ribbed. Piece through the hot wire where you wish to install the dimmer.
3 Use wire strippers to strip nearly ane inch of insulation from both ends of the cut hot wire.
4 Unscrew and remove the comprehend of the dimmer switch. Place the neutral wire along the within of the switch box, every bit specified by the manufacturer. Put the cut ends of the hot wire nether the two terminal clamps, and fasten them in place by turning the screws.
5 Spiral the dimmer switch's cover dorsum into identify. Plug the lamp in, and cheque to make sure the new switch works.
How to Examination a Light Socket
If you've established that the light bulb hasn't burned out and that the outlet is receiving power, how do you figure out whether the problem is with the socket or the plug?
A continuity tester makes checking a light socket easy.
You'll need a continuity tester, and you'll need to remove the socket from the lamp frame. Unplug the lamp and remove the shade, the low-cal bulb, and the harp (or frame) that supports the shade. Squeeze the socket's outer shell at the base and gently work it off. Then sideslip off the insulating sleeve.
Prune the continuity tester wire to one plug blade and touch on the probe to the silver spiral on the socket. Then impact information technology to the brass screw. Clip the wire to the other plug blade and touch the probe to the silver screw on the socket. Then affect information technology to the brass screw. The tester should low-cal with at least one combination in either case. If not, the cord is your problem and you'll demand to supervene upon it.
To test the socket, clip the tester wire to the threaded collar and affect the probe to the brass spiral. Turn or click the lamp'southward on/off switch. The tester should too go on and off. If not, the socket is your problem, and you'll need to supplant information technology.
A continuity tester is very helpful for checking to run across whether an electrical excursion is complete or broken. You can buy one for under $ten at hardware stores and home centers. Battery-powered, it'southward made similar a small flashlight with two probes. Complete instructions are included on the package.
How to Clean a Lamp Shade
Lampshades collect dirt and dust over time, but cleaning them can be tricky because some types of shade fabrics or materials are easily smudged or stained.
The post-obit instructions tin help you lot with common types of lampshades. Please note: If y'all take particularly delicate or valuable lampshades or if you are at all concerned about whether the following methods are advisable for your shade, consult a drycleaner.
Start use a vacuum castor or soft, dry cloth to wipe or brush off the inside and outside of the lampshade.
Y'all will need:
• A sink, tub, or bowl deep enough to fully submerge the lamp shade
• Laundry detergent or dishwashing liquid
• A soft brush or cloth
• Safety or latex gloves
Remove all non-washable trim from the lampshade. Make full a sink, bathtub, or basin with warm water. Add laundry detergent or dish soap.
Cleaning a Fabric Shade
Soak the lamp shade in the soapy h2o and employ some suds on a cloth or soft castor to lightly rub out whatever especially soiled spots. Classy the shade effectually in the h2o, dipping information technology up and down.
When the water gets too muddy, empty information technology out and refill the basin with clean, soapy h2o. Continue the process until the water stays relatively articulate.
The textile shade may seem to stretch and sag when wet. Most types of fabric will stretch dorsum to their original shape when dry.
Air-dry the shade, hanging it from a string over the bathtub or outdoors. If you have removed the cloth from the frame, put the fabric back on the frame before the fabric is fully dry. Then reattach the shade to the lamp and plow on the lamp to oestrus up the shade, which will speed up the drying/reforming process. If the shade is ruffled or ridged, press out the ruffles with your fingers to accentuate their shape.
Cleaning Other Types of Shades
For these types of shades, the play a trick on is non to get them too wet. Utilise only i/4 cup of clean, warm water in a bowl, mixed with mild detergent. Using a whisk or egg beater, whip the detergent to create "dry" soapsuds with the consistency of whipped cream.
Take a dry out cloth or sponge and apply a flake of these dry suds to launder the inside and exterior of the shade, small sections at a time. If parts of the shade, such as the binding, are glued together, brand sure not to get these areas besides wet or rub them likewise hard every bit this could cause the glue to loosen. Rinse the suds off of the surface with a clean damp sponge or cloth, and wipe dry out.
Using either of these methods, remember to clean the metallic reflector basin before you replace the lampshade. When doing this, apply only non-annoying cleaners on a soft cloth to preclude scratching the shiny surface.
How to Clean a Chandelier
Chandelier lights tin be beautiful, but because they have then many facets and surfaces, they can quickly accumulate grit and dirt, making their otherwise sparkling appearance dirty and wearisome.
Though cleaning a chandelier may announced to be an overwhelming task, information technology's actually relatively easy. Hither'south how we recommend y'all do it.
Yous will demand:
* Ii basins, deep trays, dishpans, or a double-basin sink
* Detergent or dishwashing soap
* Rubber or latex gloves
* Two towels and ii washcloths or dishrags
* Ammonia or drinking glass-cleaning solution
To make clean the chandelier:
1 Unplug the fixture at the wall or ceiling or turn off the light's circuit at the primary excursion breaker (be sure to attempt the light switch to make sure the power is off). Remove all calorie-free bulbs and ready them aside on a soft surface.
2 Fold a towel and lay it in a sink, deep tray, or dishpan to keep fine drinking glass from breaking. Fill up it a few inches deep with warm water and detergent or dish soap mixed to a sudsy consistency.
three Pad a second large pan, deep tray, or bowl with a towel and fill information technology with clean hot h2o mixed with i/4 loving cup ammonia (for extra sparkle).
4 Remove a few crystal drops and saucers from the chandelier. Don't remove likewise many at a time or else you may forget their guild when reassembling them. Soak a cloth in the sudsy water, wring it out, and wipe downwards the fixture's frame and arms.
5 Put the removed crystal pieces in the sudsy water bowl, swish them around carefully, and wipe down their edges if particularly soiled. Rinse the pieces in the hot ammonia-and-water mixture and wipe dry out with a clean fabric.
six Put each cleaned and stale piece dorsum in its original identify on the fixture. If you see whatsoever pieces or wire fittings that are bent, worn, or rusty, replace them with new ones. Proceed removing and cleaning the crystal parts—and wiping down the metallic body and artillery—moving in small sections around the body of the chandelier until all parts are clean.
vii Wipe downwardly the bulbs with a wrung-out, soapy material. Brand sure to wipe them dry out (especially their metal bases) and so put them back into their sockets. When you lot've finished cleaning all the parts, plug-in the fixture or plough the excursion back on and sentry it sparkle!
Source: https://www.hometips.com/repair-fix/light-fixture-troubleshooting.html
Posted by: ayresothere.blogspot.com
0 Response to "How To Repair A Floor Lamp Socket"
Post a Comment