How to Repair Old Electric Light Sockets

Unplug the lamp. Examine the plug and as much of the cord as you can see for any signs of burning, fraying or other damage. Plan to replace the entire cord if any damage is found.

Remove the shade and bulb and set them safely aside. Lift the two small ferrules that hold the shade harp in place and gently squeeze the harp to remove it from the lamp base. Look at the socket and decide if you want to replace it with a twist, push-button or pull-chain type and whether it should be of the single or three-way variety.

Check for a set screw that holds the top of the socket to the base and remove it if there is one. Grasp the top of the socket and rock it gently back and forth to loosen it from the base. Use a small screwdriver inserted between the side of the socket and the base to gently pry it loose, if necessary. Pull the socket out of the base as far as the wires will allow. Slip off the insulating cardboard sleeve.

Examine the two wires connected to the socket, again looking for any signs of burning or damage. Note that the wire connected to the darker or brass-colored screw is the hot wire, and the wire connected to the lighter or silver-colored screw is the neutral. The neutral wire of a lamp cord is also identified by ribs, lines or similar markings along its length. Unscrew and remove both wires. If the wires are soldered instead of screwed, cut them with wire clippers. Discard the old socket.

Untie the knot in the wires. Remove the socket base by either removing the set screw holding it to the lamp base or unscrewing it from the threaded rod that travels through the lamp. Discard the old socket base.

Separate the new socket from its base. Insert the lamp wires up through the new socket base and either screw it onto the threaded rod or place it on the base and tighten the set screw. Make sure there is sufficient wire to attach the socket, then tie a knot in the wires.

Strip 1/2 inch of insulation from the ends of the wires if you cut them to remove the old socket or if they have been damaged. Remove the insulating sleeve from the new socket. Wrap the neutral wire around the silver-colored screw and tighten the screw. Attach the hot wire to the brass-colored screw.

Slip on the insulating cardboard sleeve. Carefully arrange the wires beneath the socket and press it into the base. Tighten the set screw if there is one. Install the shade harp, bulb and shade. Plug the lamp in and test for proper operation.