How to wire a lamp with multiple bulbs. Lighting adds a lot to an overall look, and for most people, it’s the first step when adding finishing touches to a room. There are quite a few different options when it comes to table lamps or floor lamps.
Oftentimes, table lamps or floor lamps offer two or more bulb sockets, and wiring these involve some challenges not just related when dealing with single-bulb lamps.
In addition to the main outlet plug that feeds up through the base of the lamp, there are also connecting wires connecting to each socket.
Usually, these connections are made within wiring housing that is connected to and placed somewhere inside of the body of a lamp up on top of its stand (near the top).
How to wire a lamp with multiple bulbs
The first thing that you have to do is dismantle the lamp. Cut 3 cords of lamp wire to a sufficient length.
Run the lamp wires up through the base of the lamp, from where you can plugin and replace the bulb when needed.
Connect your new socket from the electrical wiring on either side of the bulb so that you can use it when necessary for illumination purposes.
Remove the wiring and detach the lamp
Taking the lamp apart is pretty straightforward. Just be careful about taking it apart so you can put it back together later. The first thing to do is disconnect the power cord from the plug and then unplug it from your lamp.
Next remove any dust covering the base of the lamp or along with its wiring by wiping it down with a dry, lint-free cloth.
Using needle-nose pliers begin removing any screws that might be holding together parts of your lamps’ base or electrical components.
Once unscrewed gently wiggle off each part post its removal rewiring any loose connections using a wire nut if possible before moving on to reattach them to your brand-new light bulb base.
Preparation of new lamp cord
Three lengths of lamp cord should be cut. Several feet of cord will be required to reach through the lamp’s base to the plug.
Both other cords will be short enough to reach the center wire housing on the lamp base from the socket connections.
With your hands or a small utility knife, carefully separate the ends of the wire, along their central seams, so that there are two separate halves, each about 2 inches long.
To remove the outside insulation from each half, use a combination tool or simply strip it off with your fingers and teeth.
The cords need to be run
The cords of this lamp must be threaded carefully in order for it to function correctly. The long cord goes through the base of the lamp, and the shorter ones pass through the channels in the socket.
This can be a tricky process, so work slowly and refrain from kinking or binding as you push each wire into place.
Socket connections
Insert the wires into the wire nuts with the ends of the bulbs still attached. Leave about a 4-inch long tail.
Strip both ends of each wire and connect them together to create one long length of lamp cord, twisting the ends together in a clockwise direction.
Connect this electrical wire or string to the socket. Repeat this process for the other lamp socket.
Connect the socket cords to the lamp cord
Join together the lamp wires at their center point by twisting the bare ends of each wire together. You’re done attaching the lamp wires to one another when you cover this joint with a wire cap which is like a tiny piece of wire that goes over the end of your wires in order to keep things held together.
Once this has been successfully completed, prepare an electrical cord and attach it to your lamps so that they can be run along or hidden behind walls or underneath carpets or furniture as needed.
Plugin the new plug
Connections Choose a pre-wired plug and connector for permanent installation, or you can use wire nuts to connect individual wires.
Connect the three wires from the lamp cord directly to the terminals of a pre-wired plug, one red to positive, white to neutral, and black to negative.
Manually twist and crush the ends of coat hangers so they don’t fray or create an electrical hazard. Bend the ends of these wires around screws in covers or collars that are attached directly over fuses in your home’s circuit box, then tighten them with pliers.
Test and reassemble the lamp
Unplug the lamp and dismantle the socket assembly by removing the connecting wires from it. Slide one of the shells away from its base, allowing you access to the receptacle chamber.
Using your screwdriver, remove the caps on each side of the chamber to reveal two screws underneath. Unscrew these two screws and pull out both halves of the hook-and-loop closure together to access the sockets.
Use your needle-nose pliers to reassemble a wire inside every opening and attach a bulb in every socket immediately after replacing each part. Once all parts are in place, plug inYour lamp should be working again.
The Best Way to wire 3 bulbs in a row
Related Guides