The best way to change an electrical light socket   

Most people are afraid of electricity. And for good reasons, because it can kill when it's not handled properly. We tend to call an electrician even if the work is as simple as changing a light fixture such as a socket. But come to think of it, changing a light socket is not that difficult at all. With a bit of research about precautions and steps to take, you can do the job yourself. So instead of asking somebody to change the faulty light socket for you, learn how to do it and you will save some money.

Test the light socket first before doing anything else. Get a working bulb and screw it into the socket. Turn on the switch. If it doesn’t work, it is most likely that you need to replace the light socket.

Safety First

As you do not want to get electrocuted, turn off the power from the fuse board. You can also achieve this by removing the main fuse or turning off the power breaker. But the safest way is to turn off all the breakers from your circuit breaker panel. Just make sure that there is nobody who might turn the power back on as you work. You can post a warning or notice on the panel saying you are working.

Tools and Things Needed

Pliers with cutter, screw drivers, small wrench, ladder, and electrical tape are the things you will need to accomplish the job. And of course, do not forget the new light socket.

Taking out the Old Socket

Use the ladder to reach the light socket you are going to work with. Remove any obstacles to the light socket like the bulb and cover. Usually, light sockets are just held by a couple of screws and are joined by a couple of wires. Typically the wires are colour coded with red and blue but in some cases they are of the same color. In any case, memorize how these wires are originally installed before disconnecting them because you should install them later in exactly the same position.

Use the proper screw driver to detach the light socket from the ceiling. Set the screws aside and let the light socket dangle by its wires. Again take note how the wires are hooked up to the socket.

Unfasten the wires using a small wrench or just cut the wires closest to the socket with pliers in order to take out the socket completely. If the wires were fastened by nuts, keep them as they will be of use later.

Install the New Light Socket

Strip the two wires 3/4 of an inch from their tips. If they were previously fastened by nuts, attach them now to the new socket using those nuts. Check your notes regarding their original position with the old socket and make sure you fasten them accordingly on the new socket. Otherwise, if the new socket is supplied with wires attached to it, twist each wire with the corresponding wire from the fixture. Bind the wires with electrical tape making sure that no stripped wire is exposed.

Before fixing the light socket to the ceiling, you might want to test that it works. Screw a bulb into the light socket and put the power back on. Flick on the switch and see the result. Assuming that the result is positive, turn the switch off, remove the bulb, and turn off the main power. Insert the fixture wires back into position and fix the new light socket into the ceiling using the screws.

Finally, screw back the bulb into the socket and put any covering. Turn the main power on, flick on the switch and enjoy the light once again.

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