How to Fix the Chain on a Desk Lamp
- 1. Turn on another light source. ...
- 2. Unscrew the metal ring attached to the socket at the point where the chain exits, using your fingers. ...
- 3. Disassemble the socket to troubleshoot a problem inside. ...
- 4. Look for a visible break in the chain. ...
- 5. Spray lubricant into the switch aperture if the chain appears to be stuck inside. ...
Full Answer
How do you fix a stuck pull chain light bulb?
To fix a stuck pull chain, you will need to remove the bulb from the socket. Then unscrew the screw holding the chain to the socket. Once the chain is removed, you can replace the bulb. Step 1: Turn off the power switch. Step 2: Remove the light fixture. Step 3: Unscrew the screws holding the chain to the fixture.
Can you replace a broken pull chain on a table lamp?
Pull chains are common switch types for table lamps, but even high-quality pull chains can sometimes snap off. If only the last few inches of a pull chain has snapped off, you can easily replace it with a chain extender; but if the entire chain snapped off at the base of the pull you'll need to replace the entire socket shell.
How do you fix a pull chain switch that won't work?
Carefully reattach the wires from the switch to the light, remembering to pair black to black and ground to ground. Wrap electrician's tape around the exposed wire ends and push them back into the fixture. Reattach the end cap, then replace any bulbs and coverings. Turn the power back on to test the new pull chain switch.
What should I do if my pull chain snaps off?
Replace the pull chain if it snaps off. Pull chains are common switch types for table lamps, but even high-quality pull chains can sometimes snap off.
What is a pull chain lamp?
The pull-chain lamp is a familiar sight on the desk of a writer, accountant, seamstress or any other professional who burns the midnight oil.
How to get a chain to stop sticking?
2. Unscrew the metal ring attached to the socket at the point where the chain exits, using your fingers. This ring is designed to prevent the chain from sticking, but despite that, the chain can still stick on it. Pull the chain after unscrewing the ring, and if the switch works, screw the ring back onto the socket.
What to spray on a switch?
Spray lubricant into the switch aperture if the chain appears to be stuck inside. The lubricant may loosen the mechanism enough to restore operation.
Can you disassemble a pull chain switch?
Replace the socket if the chain is connected but the switch doesn't operate. You can't disassemble pull-chain switches, and although you can replace one, it's easier and no more expensive to replace the entire socket.
How to remove the outer shell of a socket?
To remove the outer shell you simply screw it off which should reveal the inner piece, to which the wiring is attached. Get a small screwdriver and detach the wires, but be sure to note which wire goes to which screw, if the wires are colored it will certainly help you out.
How to fresh end wires?
If the wires appear worn you might want to fresh-end the wires by cutting the ends and removing about 5/8 inch of the insulation to bring out some new fresh wire.
How to tell if a lamp is neutral or common?
If the wires are not colored you can easily identify the neutral/common wire by its ribbed insulation covering, while the hot wire insulation is smooth. If you are replacing the entire socket, you do the same, but after removing the inner socket, you also detach the cap by unscrewing it from the lamp.
What are the parts of a lamp socket?
A lamp socket is made up of 3 fundamental pieces, an outer shell, a cap and the inner socket piece.
What is the inner part of a light bulb?
The actual socket is the inner piece in which the light bulb is screwed into and to which the electrical wires attach. This is also the piece that contains the pull-chain mechanism. The outer cap is the outermost piece, which is fitted onto the cap to enclose the inner socket piece.
How many pieces are in a lamp socket?
A lamp socket typically consists of 3-4 pieces, depending on the type, and in order to make it easier for you to understand which piece I’m talking about during the process, lets lay out some fundamental terminology. A lamp socket is made up of 3 fundamental pieces, an outer shell, a cap and the inner socket piece.
What is the outer shell of a lamp?
In older lamps, the outer shell is fitted onto the cap with small indentations at the site of attachment. These older socket types typically also have a 4th piece, which is the insulation sleeve, which is a tube of cardboard which surrounds the inner socket piece which has to be fitted on before enclosing it with the outer shell.
How do you fix a pull chain on a light fixture?
To repair a pull chain light switch, you need to unscrew the bulb holder from the switch plate. Remove the old bulb and replace it with a new one. Screw the bulb holder back into place.
How do you bypass the pull chain on a ceiling fan light?
To bypass the pull chain on the ceiling fan light, you need to remove the switch plate from the ceiling. Once you remove the switch plate , you can easily access the pull chain. Remove the screws holding the switch plate to the ceiling. Then, remove the switch plate. Now, you can easily access and repair the pull chain.
How do you unstick a pull chain?
1 To unstick a ceiling fan’s chain, you need to tighten the screw that holds the chains to the ceiling. After tightening the screw, you can remove the chain. 2 To open a stuck light fixture, you need to loosen its screws. Then, pull the fixture away from the wall until the screws pop out.
What to do if a pull chain snapped off?
If only the last few inches of a pull chain has snapped off, you can easily replace it with a chain extender; but if the entire chain snapped off at the base of the pull you'll need to replace the entire socket shell. Be careful when working with anything electrical, as failing to take proper precautions could cause an electric shock.
How to unscrew a lamp base?
Unscrew the socket base off the lamp by holding the nut beneath the base with a pair of pliers and twisting the base off.
How to connect a lamp to a socket?
Pull the cord through the bottom of the lamp and press the socket into the socket base.
How to get a socket out of a switch?
Pop the socket shell from its base . The socket shell is the cylindrical component that houses the switch. If the shell doesn't come out easily, wedge a screwdriver between the base and the shell and pry it out.
How much of the wire is exposed when stripping plastic?
Strip the plastic covering off the wires so that ½ inch of the wires are exposed.
How to test if a light fixture is off?
Gently pull the fixture down without touching the wires. With a voltage tester, touch one end of the probe to the black wire and the other to the white wire. If the tester lights up, the power is not shut off. If it doesn't, you're safe to proceed.
Do ceiling fans break down?
Many ceiling fans and some ceiling light fixtures use pull chains to operate the unit. Most commonly found in ceiling fans, these chains can break down and stop working. Unfortunately, the only practical way to resolve this issue is to replace the chain.
