How to Change a Light Bulb - Step by Step Guide
How to Change a Light Bulb
Are you operating by the dull din of your computer monitor in an otherwise dark room and been so pampered your entire life that you’ve never had the distinct pleasure or felt the glowing sense of accomplishment that changing a light bulb brings?
Well then my friend, you have somehow managed to find this page and will now learn how to change a light bulb. If by chance you’re brighter than average and a bit curious as well, you’ll also be enlightened with answers to a few other burning questions.
Step 1: Safety First
The most dangerous aspects of changing a light bulb are the risk of having a hefty jolt of electricity surge through your body and cutting yourself on a broken bulb. Find this shocking? Pay attention.
The best way to avoid an electrical shock is by turning the power off at the source. You don’t need to go to the Bonneville Dam to keep your hair from standing on end. Simply locate the switch that controls power to the bulb you want to change and be certain it’s off.
Three main scenarios to consider:
1. If you’re changing the bulb in a lamp, unplug it from the wall socket.
2. If you’re changing the bulb in an overhead light fixture, turning the wall switch to the off position will suffice.
3. If you’re changing a light that is wired directly to a main electrical box or wired through some other type of switch without a handle (e.g. a photo-electric switch), cut the power at the main electrical box in your humble abode. Typically this is a gray box embedded in a wall with a small rectangular door - check the basement or a closet. If an electrician with a sick sense of humor was involved you might need to search a bit harder. Locate the breaker switch that controls the faulty bulb and switch off. If you’re lucky the electrician provided a legend that will help. Otherwise, you’ll be left to trial and error and invariable running up and down several flights of stairs before you find the right breaker.
Again, be certain the flow of electricity to the bulb receptacle you’ll be changing is off.
Is the bulb in question not only broken in the sense of not providing light but also shattered? Use this handy trick for removing the broken bulb instead of the directions in Step 2 (Remove the burned out bulb) below.
1. Go to your fridge or your garden and fetch a potato.
2. Carefully cut the potato in half and put one half in the fridge so you’ll have the main ingredient for that special dinner when you need it most.
3. With the other half, gently press it into the exposed shards of the broken bulb – wearing gloves will add another level of protection in case you slip.
4. Now carefully twist the potato counter clockwise and the potato should have enough purchase on the bulb to remove it safely.
5. Once removed, be sure to dispose of it carefully in a waste basket and also be sure you’ve swept up any glass shards that are in the surrounding area.
Step 2: Tools of the Trade
If the burned out bulb is within reach about the only tools you’ll need are your opposable thumbs and a fresh bulb. Here is a primer in finding the right bulb and a few ideas if the situation demands more:
* The right bulb for the job. It’s critical that you use a light bulb that meets the specifications for the bulb socket. The bulb socket is the portion of the light fixture which holds the bulb in place. Typically there are markings on the side of the bulb socket providing specifications including both the wattage and the voltage. Match these specs with those found on both the replacement bulb packaging as well as the bulb itself. Acceptable replacement bulbs may have a lower wattage but never use a bulb of higher wattage than specified on the bulb socket. Be kind to the environment and use an energy efficient bulb emblazoned with the Energy Star label.
* Hard to find bulb? Replacement light bulbs can be found at convenience stores, grocery stores, hardware stores and sundry other retail locations. If you’re having a difficult time finding a replacement bulb, most major metropolitan areas are graced by at least one specialty lighting store – let your fingers do the walking. A great online source is 1000bulbs.com.
* Bulb out of reach? Use a step ladder or an extension pole with a special bulb replacement tool.
* Bulb concealed behind a shade? Finding a friend to help might be useful in this situation – especially if the shade is heavy or has an awkward retaining mechanism. It’s always a good idea to remove a light shade and clean it thoroughly to remove any flammable bits that have accumulated. This is no time to play junior entomologist – put the dead guys aside for later inspection. Trust me; they’ll be easier to catalog with proper illumination.
* In the dark? Grab a flashlight to keep from fumbling and also to spot the manufacturer’s markings on the bulb socket. Better yet, grab a headlamp and keep your hands free to concentrate on their primary task.
Step 3: Presto-Chango
The power is turned off. Your tools are a hand. It’s time to make the change. Follow these last steps and prepare to bask in the warm radiation of your favorite fixture.
1. Remove the burned out bulb. A large portion of modern bulbs are held in place with a screw like mechanism. The bulb is the male portion of the connection and has raised threaded base (the non-bulbous part of the bulb). The bulb socket is the female portion of the connection and has the corresponding indented threaded grooves. Carefully grasp the bulb and turn counter clockwise until the bulb is free of the socket. If the bulb is stuck resist the temptation to grip the bulb harder. Instead use a rubber glove or a towel to get a better hold on the bulb. If the bulb isn’t the screw-in sort, unfortunately you’ll need to keep searching the web for instructions – no help to be found here.
2. Discard the burned out bulb in a waste basket.
3. Insert the fresh bulb. Remove the fresh bulb from the bulb packaging and position the threaded portion level with the bulb socket. Lightly grip the bulb and begin slowly twisting the bulb into the bulb socket in the clockwise direction. Applying slight pressure against the bulb – towards the bottom of the bulb socket – will help seat the bulb. Gentle persistence is the key to getting the threads aligned and started. Once the bulb has caught the threads continue to twist in the clockwise direction until the resistance is about the same as is needed to open a door with a doorknob. Don’t over tighten as you’ll risk shattering the fresh bulb and worse yet, cutting yourself.
4. Turn the power back on. And then there was light. Assuming you have followed these directions, paid your electric bill and don’t need to invite that pesky electrician over to help fund his next trip to the Bahamas, you’ve just greatly improved your outlook. Congratulations.
Taken from http://students.washington.edu/dmooers/Lightbulb/
