Asked on Dec 15, 2014
My chandelier has issues!
by
957521
+25
I bought a 1980's brass and wood chandelier at a thrift store. I used a paint technique to give it an aged-old French style look; also added hanging Christmas ornaments from Hobby Lobby. It's going to look great in our French inspired laundry room. BUT.....One of the sockets keeps blowing a bulb. :-( The question is "Should I replace the chandelier, for safety's sake, or is there something I can do? Another question: "Is it possible we just got a bad package of bulbs?" Any help would be great! (I can get another "Chandy" and repaint again if necessary but we really like this one.)
Oh so pretty, but one bulb keeps burning out
Aged paint technique
21 answers
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Replace that mogg (the socket)!
Becky Jo Thoma
on Dec 16, 2014
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A socket has become defective, could be that the wires are loose. I recommend replacing the defective socket, and while you are at it, replace them all. Corrosion builds up on them with time.
Adrianne C
on Dec 16, 2014
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If replacing the socket doesn't work, you can buy a chandelier wiring kit at Home Depot or Lowes. Very easy to do yourself.
Lorraine Chipman
on Dec 16, 2014
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Definitely rewire the chandy and check for grounding. If one socket is bad, it's an alert for fire hazard. It's a beautiful fixture and worth the small cost and work to replace the wiring and sockets.
Robin @ Redo It Yourself Inspirations
on Dec 16, 2014
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rewire it, as it looks great. Sounds hard, but is easy!
Niki Hart
on Dec 16, 2014
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I rewired my old homes 75 year old fixtures with wire my electrician friend furnished me. They all worked great even thought they had ceramic sockets! Good luck!
Love tiny spaces!
on Dec 16, 2014
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Take to electric shop they can put new socket in one that blows bulbs.
Donna Mac Fadden
on Dec 16, 2014
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yes the sockets can be replaced, I recently did an 8 light chandelier that had the same issue. Better safe than sorry.
Gina Lock
on Dec 16, 2014
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The reason it keeps blowing can be many things. Using light bulbs that are rated higher than the fixture is a major reason. There could be an intermittent short in one of the sockets which means the socket needs to be rewired or replaced. I would verify that you are using the correct wattage of bulbs for the fixture and also have the entire fixture rewired.
Kelly S
on Dec 16, 2014
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I've rewired many, many lamps. It sounds like you have a defective socket. Since the sockets show I don't know but what you would have to replace all of them. Have an experienced person check it out for short circuits. It may be real easy to fix. If your socket is grounding itself out by touching ground it may be a simple thing to adjust.
Myrna Engle
on Dec 16, 2014
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I don't feel bad asking you this question because you did get many answers to your question. Would you share your aged paint technique. I love it! Thanks.
Phyllis
on Dec 16, 2014
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Niki, chances are, especially given how old it it, I would pull new wiring and too update/replace the sockets. The material used "back in the day" for the wires is highly flammable for one, and too doesn't hold up well. Like was said, Home Depot or Lowe's have DIYARBAKIR kits. Either your socket(s) are bad, or more likely the "skin" covering the wires is corroded and that section is going to ground. Also, since you didn't mention any house breakers popping, "going to ground" and shorting out is the safety!?! I say that with a tiny bit of sarcasm as in reality, you presently have a fire hazard. Is the "arm" to which that socket is on, does it get warm reference the others? That would tell you pretty quick if the wires are at issue as resistance isn't stable, thus the wire heats up. This too changes the value of how much the voltage is varying. Sorry, tried to keep my reply in laymens terms since you aren't familiar with working electrical. Options? As was said, you could hire and electrician (best and fasted resolution), or DIYARBAKIR with assistance from the knowledgeable folks at Home Depot or Lowe's. First thing they will tell you is find out which circuit (breaker) it is on, and isolate it (switch it off), then you can determine if it is wired the old way (power and ground - 2 wires), or as normal today (power, ground and neutral) or....red, green and white wires. Since the voltage is low, most likely #10 wire. They will then show you how to pull new wires and correctly incorporate the wires throughout the chandelier. They (both stores) have excellent DIYARBAKIR books for such projects. Good luck, be safe and take care.
Bba593579
on Dec 16, 2014
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Sorry, spell check fubared a few DIYARBAKIR should be just plain DIY.....and in my first sentence, the it it should be "it is". My apologies.
Bba593579
on Dec 16, 2014
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(I signed in with my business account....but it is me who asked the question.) Wow, thanks everyone for chiming in. Honestly since the fixture was only $20 I think it might be more cost effective to just chuck it and get a new one. It's not worth the cost of an electrician and hubby doesn't have the time to work on it....Me? I can always find another one without electrical issues. Thrift stores and local online classifieds have many. Of course I can always take out the sockets and use the chandy for an outdoor candle style when summer comes. :-)
CK
on Dec 16, 2014
- See 1 previous
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Rewire the chandelier with new bulbholders
Margaret Jeanne Agrue
on Dec 17, 2014
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change the socket!
Louis Lieberman
on Dec 17, 2014
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I may be speaking too soon, but I think since the bulb has stayed lit for many days now, we may have gotten a package of cheap, crappy bulbs that kept burning out. Fingers crossed :)
CK
on Dec 18, 2014
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You can rewire it.......I would definitely not get rid of it....
Angie W
on Dec 19, 2014
- See 1 previous
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It was a bad package of bulbs. It's been working now for weeks. Whaaa hoooo! :-D
CK
on Jan 04, 2015
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Connie, glad to see "all is well" now. Honestly though? Given its age, you might want to rewire that bugger with new wire and sockets just to be safe. The conduit material of old was replaced due to fire issues. If the history of this fixture is one of "cool and dry", then age might not have affected it much though. Again, very happy your mystery is solved!!! ;-)
Bba593579
on Jan 07, 2015
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If there is any question about the safety, especially if it was the same socket every time, re-wire it. The one thing you must never take for granted is electricity and its potential for starting fires. Better safe than sorry! Excuse the old cliche, but it's too often true. Good luck with your old chandelier!
Lainey Howell
on Jul 04, 2016
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