How to Install a Three-Way Lamp Switch

[nybaby40]

Thank you, Ron! I never had to worry about any of these things, good ol' hubby used to take care of everything, until I was on my own! I am so proud of myself for "fixing" my living room lamp that I love! I learned how to change the socket after watching your video and voila' it worked! ! I even got a high five from my daughter when she saw it worked! But I couldn't have done it without watching your video first, so THANKS!

[thebiterz]

your awesome, Ron!

[dana9716]

Hey Ron,

You helped me. Thanks much for putting this together.

What I didn't know was to look for the 'press here'.

U DA MAN

[johneastmond]

This must be done so that the metal screw shell doesn't get energized. I detail below.

[johneastmond]

One very important detail was missed! If you feel the outside of the cord carefully you'll notice that over 1 of the wires the plastic coating has a series of little ridges that make it feel rough. The other is smooth. Looking at the plug you'll notice that it's polarized(1 blade is wider than the other). The reason I tell you this is, that the hot(black,smooth covered) wire is to be hooked to the brass colored screw that goes to the little brass tab at the bottom of the socket!

[nybaby40]

@johneastmond ...would the fixture still turn on if you didn't connect it properly? and if so, what can happen?

[johneastmond]

@nybaby40 Yes, it would turn on and work exactly as intended. The only thing that would change if connected incorrectly is that the metal shell that has the threads to receive the bulb would be always energized and the switch would only shut off the return path. If set up this way and you casually change the light bulb and touch the socket threads in any way, you'll instantly see why there's a preferred method!

[DamienColletti]

Nice job!

[sapitoboy]

Thanks Ron for the video!

[ronhazelton]

Yes, that's absolutely right. If you're interested in a brief description of how the three-way bulb works, go to How Stuff Works.com and search three-way light bulb.

[LahainaDad]

Don't you also have to change your regular bulb to a three way bulb? For example, you have to replace the original 150 bulb with a 50--100-160 bulb?

[ronhazelton]

Three-way switches like those used to control overhead lights, do require three wires. They are designed to control a single light from more than one location. Three-way lamp sockets, like the one featured in this video, require only two wires. The "three-way" here refers to three levels of brightness and this capability is build into the socket itself. T

[SkyhawkFlyer]

But, you don't show a three-way socket! There is no third wire being used in this scenario.

[dobos27]

Hi!

My problem is with the turn knob. After only a few months, my new table lamp's turn knob starting getting harder and harder to turn on. And now I cannot use it at all.

Not great at even simple repairs but would like to use this lamp.

Any ideas?

Thanks...Vikki

[eulex10]

no problem,just replace the socket.that s what i did today