electrical
I just bought a table lamp which I assumed used a 3-way bulb since it has the knob that you typically have on a 3-way lamp. However when I went to put the bulb in I saw that it says 100 watt maximum. I tried a 3-way bulb just to check and it only works as a single-watt.
Can I replace the current socket with a 3-way socket? or is the wiring different, so this can't be done. Thank you.
Along the same lines as Brian, I've never had this problem. Some questions about other causes:
First off you do not want to hang the light by the socket that you purchased. With the poke in holes for the wires this is NOT an acceptable mounting system for your lamp - heavy glass or not.
Next note that the wire used to hang lamps is a special type that has strengthing cord built into the cable.
The conventional hanging lamp fixture has a two piece socket assembly that has a top part that slides up on the cord. The cord is then knotted with a special electricians knot that puts equal tension in all the conductors and fibres in the cord. The ends of the wires then attach to the lower portion of the conventional socket via screw terminals. Finally the top and bottom parts of the socket firmly snap together to hide the knot inside. The hanging lamp assembly pulls against the knot to transfer the weight into the cord from the ceiling.
Best Answer
Yes, you can. The sockets cost about $4, they are pretty standardized, and it requires "competent handyman" level skills.
However, the "100 watt maximum" is to be taken seriously. That is a thermal limit for that fixture, and the fixture could start a fire if a larger bulb is used. For purposes of this rating, this refers to the genuine, absolute, true wattage of the bulb (e.g. 26 actual watts for a "100 watt equivalent" CFL, or 16 actual watts for a "100 watt equivalent" LED) — not the actual light output (typically 1400-1600 lumens for a "100 watt equivalent" bulb.)
So for instance if you found a hypothetical 5000 lumen, 48 actual-watt, "350 watt equivalent" LED bulb that you just had to use in this thing, then yes, that is fine. However, a 50-100-150 actual-watt incandescent is Right Out.
I splurged on a $17 GE LED bulb that is 50/100/150 equivalent actually about 25W and I am in love with it. Interestingly, its sequence is Off-Lo-Hi-Medium, and they do that on purpose so if you stick it in a 1-way socket, you get the full "150W" equivalent.