Rewiring A Lamp

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If a lamp cord is damaged, the only safe solution is to buy a replacement cord with plug at a hardware store and install it. Here is how to rewire the lamp:

• Unplug the lamp and remove the bulb. Unscrew the finial, if any and lift the shade off the metal harp that holds it. Slide up the harp sleeves, exposing the clips at the end of the harp holder, squeeze the harp arms to release the harp.
• Depress the outer shell of the socket where it is marked “Press.” Pull off the socket shell and insulating sleeve to expose the socket.
• Free the old cord from the socket by loosening the terminal screws. Untie the underwriters knot and unscrew the socket cap.
• Remove the felt from the base of the lamp. Cut the plug off the old cord and unite any knots in the cord. Splice the nonplug end of the new cord to the old one by hooking the ends of the wires over each other and securing the splice with tape. Pull the old cord up the lamp tube until the tape appears.
• Remove the old cord. Split the top 3 inches of the new cord, strip 1 1/2 inches of insulation from the ends. Replace the harp holder and socket cap, then tie an underwriters knot.
• Connect the cord’s ridged (neutral) wire to the silver terminal, connect the smooth (hot) wire to the brass terminal. Reassemble the rest of the lamp.

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