How to Change a Lamp Cord
Lamp cords are subject to the same wear and tear as all other appliance cords in that they can crack and fray. If you see that the cord's housing is damaged or wires are exposed, you need to replace the cord as soon as possible to avoid the risk of electrical shock or fire. Even if the lamp is still functional, if the cord is visibly damaged, you need to change it out for safety reasons. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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1
Unplug the lamp from the electrical socket to avoid electrical shock and grip the top of the lampshade to pull it and the harp assembly free. Unscrew the bulb in a counter-clockwise motion with your hand. Place the bulb aside in a safe area so it won't get broken while you are replacing the cord. Unscrew the shell in a counter-clockwise motion. Use your hand to do this.
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2
Find where the lamp cord comes out of the base of the lamp. Push some of the lamp cord back into the hole to give the cord some slack at the top where you are working. Pull the electrical insert up from the lamp housing so you can see where the cord is connected.
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3
Inspect the cord connection. The cord should be split into two pieces and connected on each side of the electrical insert with two screws, unscrew the screws with a properly sized screwdriver approximately 2 to 3 turns in a counter-clockwise motion. (Do not try to back them all the way out. All you need to do is loosen them enough to remove the wires.) Lay the assembly aside.
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4
Snip off the lamp cord with wire cutters approximately 2 to 3 inches from where it comes out of the base of the lamp. Tape the new cord to the original cord with electrical grade tape and pull the old cord up from the top of the lamp housing so that you can draw the new cord up through the lamp stem and out of the top.
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5
Remove the electrical tape and discard the old cord. Separate approximately 1/2 inch of the top two halves of the electrical cord by pulling each side away from the other with your fingers. Strip 1/2 inch of cord insulation from the separated pieces of cord with wire strippers. Twist the exposed copper wires on each half in a counter-clockwise motion to make them more compact for wrapping around the terminal screws.
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6
Connect the new cord to the electrical insert by wrapping the neutral wire (covered with ridged insulation) clockwise around the silver terminal screw and tighten a couple of turns with the same screwdriver you used to loosen the screw in Step 3. Wrap the smooth wire (hot wire) clockwise around the the brass terminal screw and tighten in a clockwise manner with the screwdriver. The copper wires should be secure under the terminal screws.
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7
Push the electrical insert back down into the lamp stem. Screw the shell back onto the electrical insert by turning it in a clockwise motion until is it completely tightened. Replace the lamp shade and harp assembly and screw the light bulb back into the socket in a clockwise motion. Plug the lamp in.
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Tips & Warnings
Lamp cords are usually 18-gauge thickness. If you are in doubt of what you need, after you snip off the cord in Step 3, take the piece of cord to your local hardware store and ask for help finding the replacement cord you need.
If the cord is soldered instead of screwed you will likely need to contact a professional unless you know how to solder a connection.
When in doubt, call a professional electrician. If you are not comfortable dealing with electrical components, let someone who is experienced handle it.
References
- Photo Credit lamp image by Marek Kosmal from Fotolia.com
