A lamp is among the less complicated technological pieces that you can find out there. If you have the right tools, and you can set aside some time, you can fix all the issues that a standard table lamp faces. And of course, when you have a guide like this one, it makes things much easier.
Before You Start Repairing a Lamp
Lamps are electrical devices and you need to switch off the electric supply before you unplug the lamp before you commence any repair procedure.
Issues that may cause a lamp to be faulty.
Two main issues may make a lamp faulty and among them include:
1. Faulty power outlet or a burnt bulb
In any repair task, if you aren’t very sure about where the problem lies it’s always better to start with the common or basic things. Start by checking that the bulb is not burnt. Remove the bulb and put in another one. Also, confirm that the outlet that you are using has electricity. Plugin something else such as a phone, and see how it responds.
2. A Broken Power Cord
If the bulb and the socket are all okay, you can then go ahead and check the power cord. A broken cord may not always look faulty on the outside.
Tools required.
- Flatbed and star screwdrivers
- Wirecutter
- Pliers
- Sellotape
- Multimeter
Procedure
- Detach the cord from the socket before you cut. Open the screws that have been used to fix it and unplug them from the power surface.
- Move it to a flat and well-lit area, and then remove the lampshade and the bulb.
- Hold the base of the socket with one of your hands and pull the top using the other hand to free it. This will enable you to see the wire terminals.
- Unscrew the terminals that have been exposed, so that the cord is released. Remember that not all models have exposed screws. If the cords are broken, then the only thing that you can do is purchase a new lamp.
- In case the cords get damaged near the bulb socket, pull it up through the top, and you will be able to cut off the damaged area.
If the cord is damaged closer to the power plug
If this is the case, then you will need to replace the cord, but if the damage is closer to the plug. If your lamp’s plug is the rubbery type that doesn’t have visible screws, then you can cut it off and replace the plug. Remember that if the plug has some screws:
- Loosen them using the appropriate screwdriver.
- Lift the top cover so that you can expose the wiring. The neutral wire, which is ribbed, will be connected to the plug while the hot wire will be the one connected via a fuse.
- Loosen the screws which hold the wires, and you will have disconnected the cord. You will free the cord, pull it out and set the lamp’s plug free.
Important tip: Use cello tape to join the cables. When you pull the old cord outwards, the new one goes through the lamp.
When the Damage to the Cord is not clear
If this is the case, check for continuity using a multimeter. To do this:
- Put the multimeter on a continuity mode, and use a multimeter to check for continuity.
- Put together the multimeter probes, and if it beeps, it shows that there is continuity, and the connection is complete.
- If no beeping occurs, you can conclude that the cord is broken so you can replace it.
Conclusion
To succeed in repairing a lamp, you should start by examining your lamp carefully. Especially if it hasn’t been repaired for long, there is a possibility that the insulation rubbers and the cord require to be replaced. Also, an electrical fault may have occurred which may have damaged the wires.
