Inline Switch Replacement

A customer brought in a lamp with an inline floor switch.

40122 - Push Button Floor Switch

They said it didn't reach the floor and was awkward to use by hand. They wanted to change out the floor switch for an inline rocker switch.

First, of course we inspect the lamp for other issues. Make sure the cord is not crimped, burned, nicked or damaged. Check the prongs for polarity. Feel the switch mechanism for a tight click. WHY? 1) Safety is important. 2) We want to fix things, not patch them.

This lamp checked out so we only need to replace the inline switch. UNPLUG THE LAMP! We start by disassembling the floor switch.

Now remove the wire from the center part. Two set screws hold the wire in place.

Next, we get our new switch ready for installation.

The rocker switch uses tiny prongs to pierce the wire sheath. There is no need for the stripped wires in the rocker switch so they are clipped off.

The lamp cord is tucked into the rocker switch.

The bottom of the switch is attached to the top.

Viola! New switch installed.

Note: If you are installing an inline switch for the first time and are not sure what cord to cut, the hot wire (smooth cord) is the one normally cut to add a switch. The neutral (ribbed wire) is left intact.

Large Bronze Table Lamp Flickers

A patient came in the other day and was complaining of flickering and not working well. These are common symptoms so we start the service by replicating the problem. Plugging the lamp in and turning the switch nothing happens. Unplugging the lamp and unscrewing the bulb reveals the problem: the tongue on the socket is broken and soldered to the bulb.

This can happen with a high wattage bulb and long burn time. A simple replacement of the socket interior should fix the problem. First I remove the socket shell from the cap. This socket interior has a newer style wire terminals. This style interior is not good for repairs. The wire clamps are made to go one direction. If the wire needs to be moved or changed, this style interior will need to be replaced as well.

 I clip the wire from the bottom of the old socket interior and retie the UL knot and strip the wires. The ribbed wire connects to the nickle screw and the smooth wire connects to the brass screw on the new socket interior.

The new socket interior is in place. I slip on the insulator and socket shell. Before clicking the socket shell into the cap, I pull the slack of the cord through the base of the lamp.

The socket shell clicks in to the socket cap twice and is firmly in place. I plug the lamp in, add a bulb and test to make sure it works.

This lamp is back in working order and ready for many more years of service.