Changing a PVC lamp holder

This is a particularly useful skill if you wish to upgrade the fittings in a room or simply replace an old or broken lamp holder.

Your tools:

Step Ladder
Small Screwdriver
Pliers/wire cutter combination
Wire Strippers
Insulation Tape
Important:
Before starting on any work, make sure the electricity is switched off at the Distribution board (DB).

1. Remove the old bulb and unscrew the top section of the old lamp holder to expose the two connecting wires.

These wires will be held in place by screws.

2. Using a screwdriver, undo the two screws to release the wires and remove the damaged bulb holder and lamp holder cover from the cord. You will notice that the ends of the wires have become brittle, caused by heat from the bulb over a long period of time.

3. Using wire cutters, cut off about 25mm of wire from the damaged end of the cord, removing the brittle section of wire. Using a wire stripper, strip about 10mm of insulation from the cut end of each wire, exposing the copper wiring.

4. Unscrew the top section of the new bulb holder and slide this over the wires and up the cord.
Then use a strip of tape to hold the top section of the lamp holder out of the way and stop it from sliding down while you are connecting the wires to the main body of the new bulb holder.

5. Using a screwdriver, undo the screws on the back end of the new bulb holder, insert the stripped wire ends of the cord into the termination holes one at a time and tighten the screws. For a PVC pin-type (BC) lamp holder, it does not matter which side you connect each of the 2 colour-coded wires into, BUT for a screw-type (ES) lamp holder, always ensure that the live (brown) wire is connected to the centre pin connection position!

6. Remove the temporary tape to release the top part of the lamp holder from the cord and screw the top part of the lamp holder to the main body of the lamp holder, enclosing the wiring connections.

7. Screw the retaining ring back onto the front of the holder. Your new lamp holder is now ready for the new light bulb to be fitted.