Lamp Repair Kit – Bring Your Lamp Back to Life

When a lamp flickers or stops working entirely, don’t simply toss it. With a few basic lamp parts and about 30 minutes of work, you can repair the electrical wiring and bring it back to life–and make it safer as well.

Before you begin, plug the lamp into another outlet to make sure it’s not just a bad bulb or an overloaded socket. You’ll also want to check the cord for signs of deterioration. A wire that’s worn or cracked creates a potential fire hazard.

Lamps often become overworked and the sockets can break, but the most common cause of a failing light is a worn-out cord. If you’re not careful, the bare wire ends can contact each other or the switch in the cord and short out. The wires can also get stiff and brittle over time. Attempting to fix a worn cord with electrical tape can actually increase the risk of a fire or shock.

Most home centers and hardware stores carry basic lamp parts like sockets, cords and plugs. For a wider selection, visit a lighting store or online. If you’re planning to rewire your lamp, have the necessary tools lined up ahead of time. It will save you time and frustration if you don’t have to stop the project to hunt down a tool or an extra pair of hands.

When rewiring your lamp, be sure to use a new, properly sized cord. Most lamp cords are polarized, which means that the wires enter the plug with one side being wider than the other. This design prevents them from being inserted into an outlet the wrong way, which can lead to a fire hazard. Look for the label “SPT-1” or “SPT-2” on the cord sheathing. You’ll also need to buy a new plug that matches the cord listing.

When installing the new cord, carefully strip the ends of each wire and expose only 1/2 in. of insulation. Be sure to connect the neutral wire to the silver screw on the new socket. The neutral wire may be marked with a different color, have printing on it or have tiny ribs or indentations that distinguish it from the other two conductors. The polarity of the wires is important because if they are switched incorrectly, you could end up with an energized tab inside the socket that can burn out the socket or cause a shock. If you can’t tell which end is neutral, start with the wider plug blade.