These simple steps will revive an old lamp.

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Floor ortable lampscan last for years in good working order.

But eventually, they may need to be rewired.

Mint table lamp on its side to be rewired

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Cords often become frayed near the plug end unless you use an underwriter’s knot.

Floor lamps' cords especially are impacted by foot traffic.

Or you might purchase a vintagelampand want to rewire it for safety or a different look.

Materials and tools to rewire a floor or table lamp

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Lamp kits can be purchased at your localhome centeror crafts store.

Before You Begin

Clear off a table or a desk for the rewiring project.

verify you have a good light source.

Finial on top of lamp unscrewed to remove white lampshade

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Keep your tools nearby for ready access.

Unscrew the finial from the top by hand, counterclockwise, to lift off thelampshade.

Remove the Harp

Take off the harp.

Metal harp removed from around lightbulb by pushing both ends with fingers

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

The harp is the metal stanchion surrounding the lightbulb that holds the lampshade.

Remove the harp by gently pushing the two ends together while pulling straight upward.

Many lamps have a base at the very bottom that is meant to protect tables or floors.

Felt-lined base pryed off bottom of lamp next to yellow utility knife and towel

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Often, this protective base is made of felt-lined cardboard, especially with vintage lamps.

Loosen the Socket

Loosen the screw on the side of the socket with thescrewdriver.

This screw holds the socket in place at the top of the lamp.

Screw loosened on side of lamp socket with screwdriver

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Unscrew the socket counter-clockwise but leave it in place.

Holding the socket, pull the socket and attached wire out.

Remove the socket shell from the socket.

Wire pulled out of bottom of lamp with wire stripper removing electrical cord

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Secure the wires bytying them into an Underwriter’s knot.

you could trim off the excess wire as is needed.

Attach the exposed wires to the terminals on the new socket.

Outer metal socket shell popped open to remove from socket with flathead screwdriver

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Use the screwdriver to screw the wires into the terminals.

Usually, the socket has a silver-colored screw and a brass-colored screw.

The silver is for the neutral wire, and brass is for the hot wire.

Pushing the new wire inside of the lamp

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

If your cord is clear, the copper-colored wire is hot, and the silver wire is neutral.

Reassemble the Socket and Lamp

Reassemble the socket shell around the socket.

Screw the socket onto the lamp.

Attaching the new wire to the socket

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Pull excess cord out of the bottom of the lamp.

Replace the harp, then replace the protective base at the bottom.

You may need to glue the protective base to the bottom of the lamp.

Reassembling the lamp

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Electrical Safety: Safety and Health for Electrical Trade.Electronic Library of Construction, Center for Construction Research and Training.