How to Get a Broken Light Out of a Light Canister Socket
Sometimes a light bulb can become brittle after sitting in a light canister for a while and when you try to remove it by hand it just shatters. Whatever the reason that your light bulb broke, you now need to get it out of your canister fixture so that you can replace it. Some people would recommend the potato method where you use half of a potato to turn the remains of the bulb. This method works but it is very messy and can leave potato juice behind, which is not advisable for a live electrical lighting fixture. There is a better way. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Work gloves
- Safety goggles
- Flathead screw driver
- Needle-nose pliers
- Towel
- New light bulb
Instructions
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Removing a Broken Lightbulb
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1
Turn off the power to the room the canister fixture is in. Since it is not a lamp you can just unplug, you will need to turn off the power to the entire room to prevent electrocution. If you are unsure what turns off the power to that particular room, then turn off the power to the house.
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2
Wedge a flat head screw driver in between the light socket and the base of the broken bulb, and carefully bend a portion of the bulb base inwards. This must be done wearing safety gloves to protect your hands and goggles to protect your eyes in case glass falls from the bulb. Be very gentle doing this to prevent damage to the light socket.
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3
Turn the bulb base counterclockwise by grabbing on to the bent part with needle-nose pliers. If the bulb has been in the socket for a while then it may not want to move right away. Keep working gently back and forth with the pliers until the base moves.
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4
Continue to turn the base with the needle-nose pliers until the base is completely removed. If you get the base unscrewed a little and you can safely reach it with your hand, then finish removing it by hand.
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5
Wipe the inside of the socket out with a towel to remove any rust or debris from the socket.
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6
Install the new light and then turn on the power.
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1
Tips & Warnings
If you do this during the day then you can use the natural light as your work light.
If the needle-nose pliers are not moving the bulb base then try vice grips. Always be gentle and be patient. Eventually you will get the base to move.
