How to Replace a Porcelain Ceiling Lamp Holder

Porcelain lamp holders for ceilings connect to the house wiring in the same manner as a wall switch or electrical outlet. The porcelain fixtures are common in basements and other unfinished areas where it is desirable to have a lamp socket that helps dissipate heat from the bulb. Replacing the fixture takes less than half an hour. Ask a friend to hold the ladder steady while you work, if the ceiling is higher than you can reach easily with a step stool.

Ladder or stepstool
Screwdriver
Wire stripper

Instructions

- 1
  Turn off the circuit breaker switch that controls electricity to the room where you are replacing the lamp holder.
- 2
  Place a ladder or stepstool on the floor below the existing fixture. Get a friend to spot you for safety.
- 3
  Take out the two screws in the porcelain base to release the fixture from the mounting plate in the ceiling. Pull gently on the fixture to remove it far enough from the ceiling that you can turn the fixture to inspect the back where it is attached to two wires.
- 4
  Pull off the insulator tube from the back of the lamp socket.
- 5
  Loosen the two screws in the socket to release the wires, which are typically black and white. Make a note of where the wires attached to the old socket.
- 6
  Remove 1/4 inch of insulation from the end of each wire, if necessary. Removing the old fixture may cause some of the exposed wiring to break off.
- 7
  Wrap each wire under its corresponding screw head on the socket for the new fixture. Tighten the screws with the screwdriver.
- 8
  Slide on the insulator tube over the wiring.
- 9
  Secure the new porcelain holder to the ceiling plate with the two screws removed in Step 3.
- 10
  Screw in a new lightbulb before turning on the electricity at the breaker switch.

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