If a lamp goes out, first get a bulb that you see lighted or a new one and put it in the lamp. If it will not light when you turn the switch, the switch is probably faulty. The switches are normally chain pull, push in, or turn knob styles. Turn knob switches also come in three-way styles as well as variable intensity dimmers.
- Disconnect the lamp from the wall outlet.
- Press on the side of the "brass top" with your thumb and lift it and the insulator off.
- If your socket is brown bakelite plastic, it will normally unscrew into two halves.
- Loosen the little screw on the side of the "brass bottom" and slide it down the wire or pull gently to let some wire up.
- Remove the wires from either side of the switch by turning the screws counter clockwise.
- If the wire has burned edges or burned through, cut, strip, and reattach.
- If old wire is stiff from age, replace it with new wire. 18/2 zip cord or lamp wire is available in many neutral colors plus shades of clear.
- If the switch is the fault, bring it to a hardware, electrical or home center store and get one like it to re-install.
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