Do you have a broken light bulb inside of a socket? Are you wondering how do you remove a light bulb holder or get it out? We can help with that.
The safest way to remove a broken light bulb from a holder is to use a pair of needle nose pliers. Make sure the power is off first before you do this. Squeeze the broken metal part of the socket that threads into holder.
How Do You Remove A Light Bulb Holder
So you broke off a lightbulb inside of its socket or holder. Now you’re not sure what to do how to get it out.
Sometimes they can break off or rust in place especially in damp or wet environments like outside light fixtures.
These can be a little bit troublesome to remove. There are many solutions on the internet today offering ways to get the broken lightbulb out of the socket.
We noticed anything from potatoes to pop bottles are being used. If you’re trying to remove the lightbulb from the socket and there are shards of glass left on the lightbulb in the best way to do this is with a pair of rubber insulated gloves.
Cotton gloves or rubber gloves will protect you from getting electrocuted.
Keep in mind that you should always shut the power off before playing with electricity.
Take your rubber gloves and screw the broken shards of glass in the socket to the left.
Turning it counterclockwise will get it to come out.
You can also work it back-and-forth from left and right slowly until you can completely remove it from the socket.
How Do You Remove A Light Bulb Holder If It’s Broken Off?
If the lightbulb is completely broken off inside of the socket. You can look in and you can only see the interior part of the bottom of the lightbulb and obviously you cannot twist this out with a pair of gloves.
Firstly we recommend to shut the power off either by the switch or the breaker or fuse located that protects that circuit.
You will then take a pair of needle nose pliers to stick down inside of the socket.
You will need to force these needle nose pliers apart to grab a hold of the inside of the socket and then turn left.
Again you may need to go left and right to get it out slowly.
It’s usually works for us and saves time from having to remove the light shade. Especially in open ended light fixtures where it’s hard to reach your fingers and grab a hold of the lightbulb.
How Do You Remove A Broken Light Bulb Holder With Power On?
Simply do not try to remove a broken light bulb from a socket with the power on.
Especially with anything they can get you electrocuted or cause sparks.
So in this case you would not use a pair of needle nose pliers with the power on because you will most likely cause a spark or blow something up.
If you cannot find the circuit fuse or switch that the light fixtures on and we recommend shutting the main power switch off to the house.
This will kill power to the whole house and then you can ensure that there’s no power to the light fixture and in that case you can then use a pair of pliers.
What If The Light Bulb Is Rusted In
The same applies as mentioned above to socket set rusted in.
Sometimes in exterior locations were light fixtures can be prone to rust they will rust right into the socket.
Firstly you shut the power off and then use a pair of needle nose pliers. However this time you approach it a little differently.
Instead of trying to needle nose pliers open to grab a hold of the socket you will clamp down on the lightbulb metal part itself.
Be careful not to grab a hold of the light fixture socket itself and only the bulb.
When you get a hold of the bottom of the bulb with the needle nose pliers you will pinch together the bottom part of the lightbulb.
That seems a little bit excessive but will get a good grip on it and will also break any rust that may be holding it in there.
You can start to turn it counterclockwise as you were squeezing it together.
You may need to rotate it back-and-forth a little bit and only squeeze it as hard as you can or as hard as you need to to break it free.
If you completely squeeze it together you will deformed the shape of the bottom of the lightbulb and most likely break the socket so have some finesse when you were doing this.
What Other Methods Can I Use?
There are many methods mentioned in other articles and on the internet about how to do this.
We have seen people use pop bottles and screw them down inside of the old lightbulb that is broken off to turn it out.
It only works if the glass is completely broken off of the bulb.
If the glass is completely not broken off of the bulb and we’ve seen people cut a potato and a half and stick a potato down over the top of the glass to act as a buffer so they can turn it out.
This method only works if you’re 100% certain if the power is off.
Since potatoes have moisture inside if you try to do this then you’ll most likely get a shock or sparks to fly or even worse .
There are also purpose tools for sale on the internet call bulb extractors.
These go down inside of the socket allowing you to turn the bulb out.
However if you do not have any of this equipment on hand most people have a pair of needle nose pliers in their home.
We recommend needle nose pliers simply because of the easiest tool to grab.
Remember they are metal so if you need to be 100% certain that you have your power turned off before you try to do this.
I Broke The Socket Now What?
Some sockets especially in a damp or wet locations become worn over time.
Especially ones that are exposed to the sun which causes the porcelain or plastic to become weak and crack.
You may accidentally crack the socket as you were turning the light bulb out.
Unfortunately there’s nothing else we can tell you other than the fact that you will have to remove the light fixture and either replace it or replace the socket.
Most local hardware stores keep universal sockets in stock that you can make work with the light fixture itself.
You may want to consult with a local electrician about how this is to be done. At this point it may be more beneficial for you just to buy a new light fixture.
How Can I Stop This From Happening Again?
To stop this from happening again there are a few different things that you can do.
Number one make sure you do not over tighten the new lightbulb.
Number two add some lubricant around the outside of the screw head of the lightbulb before you put it in the place something that will not dissolve and dry up.
Only put this around the threaded part of the lightbulb.
Thirdly the best solution although not the smartest is to pry up on the bottom part of the lightbulb socket base.
This will allow you or allow the light bulb to make easier contact one screwing it in.
You will not need to screw the lightbulb in it’s tightly to make electrical contact.
Although we do not recommend sticking your finger inside of a light socket you should wear a pair of rubber gloves.
Grab the end of the tab down inside the light socket and pull up on it a little bit as it becomes worn overtime and does not make a good contact.
Keep in mind that not all light sockets are designed this way. So you may not be able to bend the tab out.
Again we do not recommend that you stick your finger in a light socket. If you were going to do this make 100% certain that the power is off. Or consult in your local licensed electrician.
How Can I Replace The Socket?
Replacing a light socket in a light fixture can be a little bit tedious even for us as professionals.
We prefer not to do it for the simple reason that the socket is usually not the same as the old socket.
Wiring the new socket is not the issue mounting it to the old light fixture is.
Most times the bracket that holds the socket to the light fixture will get broken as well and you just simply cannot replace it.
When we do the wiring on the back of a socket we simply match the colours up from brass the white and gold or black.
if you are looking for a new light fixture then you can find more Here….