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How to Rewire a Lamp

What you need

  1. How to Rewire a Lamp, Cord: step 1, image 1 of 3 How to Rewire a Lamp, Cord: step 1, image 2 of 3 How to Rewire a Lamp, Cord: step 1, image 3 of 3
    • Before starting the process, remove the lamp shade and bulb by hand.

    • Make sure the lamp is unplugged to avoid the risk of electrocution.

  2. How to Rewire a Lamp: step 2, image 1 of 3 How to Rewire a Lamp: step 2, image 2 of 3 How to Rewire a Lamp: step 2, image 3 of 3
    • Loosen the setscrew with the screwdriver so you can unscrew the socket base.

    • Unscrew the socket base from the threaded tube with your hand.

  3. How to Rewire a Lamp: step 3, image 1 of 3 How to Rewire a Lamp: step 3, image 2 of 3 How to Rewire a Lamp: step 3, image 3 of 3
    • With your hand, pry the socket shell out of its base.

    • Remove the socket with your hand and then cut the wires with the wire cutters.

    • The neutral wire connects to the wide plug blade and is distinguished from the hot wire by ribs, color, printing, or indentations in the plastic insulation.

  4. How to Rewire a Lamp: step 4, image 1 of 2 How to Rewire a Lamp: step 4, image 2 of 2
    • Strip off 1/2" of the insulation with the wire stripper and twist the wire strands together by hand.

    • If you pull off any wire strands while stripping, cut back the cord with the Diagonal cutter.

  5. How to Rewire a Lamp: step 5, image 1 of 3 How to Rewire a Lamp: step 5, image 2 of 3 How to Rewire a Lamp: step 5, image 3 of 3
    • By hand, tie an underwriters knot in the cord.

    • Also by hand, connect the wires by wrapping them clockwise around the screws and tighten and connect the neutral wire to the silver screw.

    • An underwriter's knot prevents the wires from pulling out of the screw terminals when cord is tugged. ( The entire process of tying an underwriter knot can be done by hand . Form a loop using the first wire. Then, form a loop around the first wire and pass the tail through its loop. The strain on the cable is now taken by the knot.)

  6. How to Rewire a Lamp: step 6, image 1 of 3 How to Rewire a Lamp: step 6, image 2 of 3 How to Rewire a Lamp: step 6, image 3 of 3
    • By hand, pull the excess cord down through the lamp.

    • Still using your hand, slip the insulation sleeve and socket shell over the socket and snap the shell into the base.

Finish Line

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Molly

Member since: 10/20/17

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