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Lamp Rewiring Diagrams & Instructions
Basic Table or Floor Lamp Lamp Rewiring Diagram
Rewiring a basic table or floor lamp is easier than you might think. The most important thing to remember is:
GOLD IS HOT, SILVER IS NOT!
First, in order to access the old socket, remove the metal socket shell. To do this press in where is says “Press” just to the right of the opening where the turn knob comes out. Sometimes it’s helpful to use a small flathead screwdriver in this area while pushing the top with your thumb. Once you have removed the socket shell you can now unscrew the two wires from the socket. Once you’ve removed the socket, pull the old cord out from the bottom and you are ready for the new cord and socket.
When attaching the new cord to a standard 2 terminal socket, make certain that the "hot" wire (which is the smooth side of the cord) is connected to the Gold colored terminal post (gold colored screw head) on the socket. Also, make certain that the "neutral" wire (which is the ribbed side of the cord) is connected to the silver terminal post (the silver colored screw head on the socket). When connecting, loop the copper end from left to right over and behind the screw and tighten by turning clockwise. Replace the socket sleeve and you are done!
Rewiring Diagram for Table or Floor Lamp
Gone-With-The-Wind Style Lamp Rewiring Diagram
Before you can rewire your lamp, the old sockets and wires will have to be removed. To do this, remove the metal socket sleeve by pushing in and pulling up where it says, “push here”. Sometimes it is helpful to use a small flat head screwdriver as a prybar while pushing the top with your thumb. Once the metal socket sleeve is removed you can now unscrew the black, silver and gold terminal points on the socket. At this point you can remove the socket and gently pull the cords free from the bottom of the lamp. Now you are ready to add the new wires and sockets.
The first step in this rewiring project is to take the ends of the New Lamp Cord and the (black and white) ends of the Candelabra Socket with Clips and insert them together into the bottom center threaded rod of the lamp until they both come out of the top of the rod. (You may want to pull the black and white wires of the candelabra socket up until there's just enough cord at the bottom to place the socket into the 1" diameter hole in the base of the lamp. Then cut the excess wire off the candelabra socket so that it is even with the new lamp cord. This will prevent you from having an excessive amount of the black and white cord left over at the bottom of your lamp.) Insert the wires from the new lamp cord and the candelabra socket through the silver threaded base of the 3-terminal socket. (Do not screw the socket onto the threaded rod yet.) Next, connect the black wire from the candelabra socket to the black terminal post. (black screw on the socket). When connecting, loop the copper end from left to right over and behind the screw and tighten by turning clockwise. Then, take the neutral wires from both the new lamp cord (which will be the ribbed side, not smooth) and the candelabra socket (which will be white) and connect them both to the larger, silver terminal post. Finally, connect the hot, smooth wire (not ribbed) from the new lamp cord to the brass terminal post. Now that the wiring is complete, pull the cords from the bottom of the lamp so that the silver threaded part at the bottom of the 3 terminal socket touches the top of the threaded rod and screw into place. While screwing the socket in place, you will need to turn the cords coming out of the bottom of the lamp in the same direction so that they do not get twisted inside of the rod.
Rewiring Diagram for Gone With the Wind Style Lamp
Vintage 3-Arm Floor Lamp Rewiring Diagram
A 3 Arm Floor Lamp with a center Socket has 13 wires (including the incoming cord, the socket at the top, the 3 side arm sockets and the 3-way switch) that all come together in one main cluster. Knowing how they all connect can mean the difference between success and disaster. However, this rewiring project is not nearly as complicated as it might seem if you follow 4 simple steps.
Before you begin however, be sure to remove all the old sockets, switches and cords. To remove the switch, turn the small metal ring on the outside of it in a counterclockwise direction while holding it in place from the inside. Once the metal ring is removed you can pull the switch out from the inside. However, before throwing the old cords away, measure the old cords coming from the 3 side arms and the top center socket. That way you will know the exact lengths to cut the new Black and White cords included in your kit.
Insert the new lamp cord up through the base of the lamp until it comes out into the bottom of the cluster. (the opening at the top where all the cords come together.) Then, run the new black and white cords for each of the 3 side arm sockets through the tubing to the side arms. Strip back about 3/4” of the plastic covering at each end of these cords, exposing the copper wire inside. At this point, screw on the new three 3” outer sockets and connect the wires to them, being sure to connect the black wires to the Gold (Hot) terminal points on the sockets and the white wires onto the silver (Neutral) terminal points. Loop the copper end from left to right over and behind the screw and tighten by turning clockwise. Take the last pieces of the black and white cord and connect it to the gold (hot) and silver (neutral) screws on the center socket. You can now replace the new 3-way, 2 circuit rotary switch in the opening where the old one was. After having done this, you are only 4 steps away from connecting all your wires and completing your project.
First, connect the blue wire from the 3-way switch to the black (hot) wires from any 2 of the side arm sockets. (When connecting, twist the copper ends together in a clockwise direction, then secure them with a wire connector, turning in the same direction until tight.)
Next, connect the red wire from the 3-way switch to the black (hot) wire of the remaining side arm socket.
Third, Connect the black (hot) wire from the 3-way switch to the hot (smooth, not ribbed) wire of the incoming lamp cord and the black (hot) wire from the main center socket.
Finally, connect all remaining wires which will include the ribbed side (neutral) wire of the incoming lamp cord, all the white (neutral) cords from the 3 side arm sockets and the white (neutral) side of the main center socket.
Rewiring Diagram for Vintage 3 arm Floor Lamp