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We change the monitor backlight lamps (ourselves). How to change a light bulb correctly: analysis of the technical nuances of a non-trivial task

The fluorescent lamp is very common due to its efficiency. The lifespan of such lamps is quite long, but still not infinite. You can learn how to easily and quickly replace a fluorescent fluorescent lamp, and what nuances need to be taken into account when replacing them, from this article.


Such lamps are most often used in ceiling lamps, to illuminate the work surface of kitchens, in bathrooms, as lighting in mirrors, etc. Lamps are available in various sizes and wattages.

In most cases, the reason for the lack of glow is the lamp itself, although sometimes the culprits are the inductor (ballast) or (if present) the starter. A burnt-out lamp can most often be identified by a dark-colored ring on the bulb near one end of the lamp.

Replacement procedure

1. Turn off the lamp. If the lamp has burned out and you are not sure whether the lamp is on or off, it is better to look at the panel.

2. Remove the lamp shade or grille to provide access to the lamp. Transparent shades of ceiling lamps can be attached to the lamp body with screws or latches. Inspect the lamp and unscrew the screws, or release the latches and remove the lampshade or reflective grille.


On small single-lamp lamp models, the shade is often fixed to the lamp itself. To remove such a lampshade, simply gently pull it, starting from any edge. After this, you will have access to the lamp for replacement.


3. Remove the lamp. To do this, take both hands closer to the edges of the cylindrical bulb of the lamp and rotate it around its axis 90 degrees (the direction of rotation does not matter). Gently pull the lamp away from the fixture. The contact pins of the lamp should come out of the socket guides with little effort.

4. Buy a lamp of a size and power that matches the parameters of your lamp. If you cannot accurately determine the characteristics of a burnt-out lamp, take it with you to the store so that sales staff can select the correct replacement lamp.

5. Install a new lamp into the fixture. To do this, carefully insert both ends into the socket until it stops and carefully rotate the lamp around its axis 90 degrees (the direction of rotation is still not important). In some cases, you will feel a slight click as the lamp locks into position.

6. Turn on the lamp and check its functionality. If everything works fine, reinstall the lampshade or decorative grille. If the lamp does not light up, then turn off the lamp switch and try to carefully move or slightly rotate the lamp in the socket, or remove it and install it again.

If, after all attempts, the installed working lamp refuses to light, most likely the problem lies in a burnt-out inductor (replacing it is often comparable in cost to the cost of the lamp) or starter. All these parts are located inside the lamp body, and replacing them will require additional skills, especially replacing the choke.

If you do not have independent experience in performing such work, entrust it to a specialist or buy a new lamp if the cost of repair is equal to the cost of the lamp itself.

We should also talk about replacing a burnt-out fluorescent lamp in a tabletop office or home lamp. Such luminaires mainly use fluorescent lamps with sockets such as G23, GX23, 2G11, etc.

There may be some differences in the size and shape of the bases, but the principle of connecting the lamp to the lamp socket is the same for all. Thus, these instructions can be applied to all such lamps.

Replacement procedure

1. Before removing a fluorescent lamp with a G23 socket from the lamp, it is necessary to turn off the lamp, i.e. unplug the power cord from the outlet.

2. Place the lamp on the table and turn the shade up so that it is convenient for you to remove the lamp. Most often, the free end of the lamp is attached to the lampshade using a special plastic clamp.

In order to remove the light bulb from the socket, first gently pull it by the edge of the bulb in the direction from the lampshade, as if bending it, thereby removing it from the retaining bracket. If this bracket is already broken off (a fairly common occurrence), then skip this point.

Take the lamp with your hand (grab it with your fingers) by the bulb and simply pull it, shaking it slightly, in the direction from the socket hidden in the lamp body. The lamp should, with slight resistance, jump out of the socket.

3. Buy a new lamp. If you cannot unambiguously determine the size of the lamp and the type of base, then take the burnt-out fluorescent lamp with you to the store or market when you go to look for a replacement. This way, the seller can easily select the new lamp you need.

4. Install the lamp in the lamp. Once you have mastered the procedure for removing the lamp, it will not be difficult for you to do the reverse. Insert the new light bulb with the base into the socket and press the end of the bulb, pushing the light bulb into the socket. It should go into the cartridge all the way with a barely noticeable click.

Be careful when inserting the bulb back into the plastic retainer. Over time, the plastic of the retainer becomes extremely brittle and can easily break. At the same time, do not be too upset if this happens - this will not affect the operation of the lamp in any way.

IMPORTANT: A fluorescent lamp contains 3 to 5 mg of mercury, a very toxic metal. You should absolutely not throw away used lamps with household or construction waste. As a result of damage to the bulb of such a lamp, mercury will be released into the environment. Please ensure safe disposal of the fluorescent lamp.

By clicking on the image below, you can watch a short video on how to replace a fluorescent fluorescent lamp. The video will open in a separate window.

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At first glance, replacing lamps seems like a simple operation, but there are many features. Reasons for replacement:

  • the old lamp is out of order;
  • power needs to be changed;
  • not satisfied with the type or design of the lamp;
  • new organization of interior lighting.

Replacing the lamp yourself

In all these situations, the first thing you need to do is find new lamps.

Choice

First you need to determine what is best to install in the lamp. The simplest solution would be to replace the lamps with the same ones, since finding a new one is not difficult with all the variety of lamps: fluorescent (FL), incandescent, LED, halogen and others.

Most buyers take regular lamps of the same power, they are the cheapest and are always on sale. In the price range, LL are above them, and then LED. As the model becomes more complex, the cost increases.

What are the types of lamps?

The correct organization of diffuse, reflected and directional lighting allows you to control the shape of objects, zone areas and highlight the necessary objects in the premises.

Replacing faulty lamps

Failed lamps are replaced with new ones. Each type has its own characteristics.

Incandescent lamps

As lighting is used, its intensity is redistributed. In some places you need to increase the power, and in other places you need to reduce it. Therefore, they often take a slightly different light bulb. If practice shows that it is worse than it was, nothing will prevent you from returning to the previous option. For a medium-sized room, 100 W main lighting is sufficient.

In incandescent lamps, the bases are destroyed over time by exposure to high temperatures. Therefore, you should always have a spare cartridge at home.

First of all, to replace the light bulb you will need the following tools:

  • chair or stepladder;
  • tester, probe;
  • new lamp;
  • several pliers of different sizes, a screwdriver, a knife;
  • gloves.

Unscrewing a faulty incandescent lamp

The wire to the light bulb is predominantly supplied through a single-pole switch. The phase must be passed through it so that there is no voltage on the cartridge when it is turned off. This is simply checked with an indicator screwdriver.

It often happens that sometimes you have to unscrew the light bulb, but the base remains in the socket. It can be removed using pliers. They should be available in several sizes and with insulated handles. A film should be placed under the lamp.

When replacing a lamp, the light must be turned off. It wouldn't hurt to turn off the machine either. You should use an indicator to check the presence of voltage on the destroyed base. Not every owner remembers which position of the switch key corresponds to de-energizing the circuit.

Small pliers open inside the base, after which it is unscrewed. If it does not give in, you need to grab its edge with pliers and gradually loosen it until it moves. It’s even easier to unscrew the base along with half of the cartridge body, after which it will be much easier to remove it.

The new lamp is screwed into the socket clockwise. Here you cannot press hard on the glass body and apply a lot of torque so as not to damage it.

The functionality of the lamp is checked by applying voltage to it. If it does not light, it must be screwed in all the way or the contact tabs in the socket must be bent. When switching on, do not stand under the lamp due to the risk of explosion.

Luminescent

Replacing an LL with an E27 cartridge is no different from the previous ones. For one room, a power of 50 W will be enough. At the same time, the light of this type of lamp is soft and evenly diffused. They have built-in electronic ballasts with high frequency current and do not flash.

Tubular lamps are somewhat more difficult to replace if you do not know how to connect them. In addition, they are often mounted on the ceiling, and at high altitudes, working with them becomes difficult.

The room is de-energized, and the transparent diffuser is removed from the lamp. There are two pin contacts on each side of the tube. They fit tightly in sockets with clamps, and to release the lamp you need to turn it in one direction until it stops at 90 0, holding it on both sides.

Fluorescent lamp with diffuser

The new tube is installed perpendicular to the cartridges in the slot, and then turned 90 0 until it clicks. After it is fixed, you need to check the reliability of the fastening by slightly pulling towards yourself. Over time, the socket wears out and the lamp may fall out if not secured correctly.

After installation, the operation of the lamp is checked and the cap is installed in place. If the new lamp does not start, you need to check the functionality of the ballast elements.

The built-in LL for a suspended ceiling is replaced in a similar way, but a certain skill is required here, since there is little space left for its dismantling and installation.

Installing a fluorescent lamp in a built-in lamp

Built-in lamps have 4 lamps, but they are short and easier to work with. Having removed the outermost tube, access to the others will be easier if you remove them sequentially and install them in the reverse order.

Halogen and LED

In modern interiors, suspended ceilings with spot lighting are often used. To change a light bulb, it must be unlocked in the luminaire. First, the room is de-energized, and then the lamp clamp in the form of a spring ring is removed. Then you should unscrew the lamp and install a new one with similar characteristics in the vacant space. It is screwed in all the way and secured with a ring. At the same time, the parts are held so that they do not slip out of your hands.

Replacing a light bulb in a spotlight can be done by increasing the light intensity without increasing their power. To do this, purchase the same lamps with a spectrum closer to white. They are brighter than yellow ones with the same energy consumption.

Even lamps of the same type can have different appearances. It is advisable to use light sources from the same manufacturer and with the same power.

When replacing halogen and LED lamps (HL), they should not be touched with bare hands to protect them from rapid failure. If touching occurs accidentally, wipe the flask with a cotton swab moistened with alcohol.

If the problem is more serious than replacing the lamp, you need to know how to remove the ceiling light. The sequence of operations for removing it from the suspended ceiling is as follows:

  • turn off the automatic voltage supply;
  • take out the light bulb;
  • pry off the decorative rim with a knife or screwdriver;
  • Press the fastening latches to the body and remove it from the groove.

Reinstallation is done in reverse order.

Replacing the lamp with a different type

Incandescent lamps consume more energy and have a short lifespan. Now there is a fashion to replace them with energy-saving ones. The reason is lower energy consumption. But here it should be borne in mind that the electrical goods market is flooded with a large number of counterfeits, negating all the advantages of new models. Branded products are expensive, but counterfeit products are not cheap, although in the end they do not provide any advantages, including in terms of service life.

If you decide to replace an incandescent lamp with a halogen or LED, the easiest way is to purchase them with the same E27 or E14 sockets, and then install them in the old socket.

It will be more difficult with spotlights, since the entire lighting system will need to be changed. Them or a plasterboard ceiling. You can hide all the wiring behind them. For a stretch ceiling, this is more difficult to do, since it will be visible through the transparent material.

The cheapest linear LLs use electromagnetic ballasts and ballasts. The disadvantages of the lamps are low efficiency, choke rattling and lamp blinking. Replacing them does not help, since they are not the cause. Replacing the equipment with electronic equipment (electronic ballasts) eliminates the above-mentioned disadvantages.

Another way to increase the efficiency of energy consumption is to replace the luminaires with LEDs, which are completely identical in appearance and have similar glow characteristics. The G13 base is the same as on fluorescent tubes. From the inside, adjacent SL pins are short-circuited with a copper conductor, and a voltage of 220 V is applied from opposite ends of the tube. Inside it there is a strip with a driver and soldered LEDs. All starting equipment is dismantled, significantly lightening the luminaire. In its place you can place another lamp.

Question:

Good afternoon, I have a suspended ceiling in my room, but the lamps in it have started to go out. I tried to pull it out myself, but I couldn't unscrew it. The canvas is deformed and the lamp cannot be pulled out. I'm afraid of damaging the ceiling. Tell me how to properly restore the backlight?

Answer:

Stretch and suspended ceilings are often used to decorate interiors and embody design ideas. The lamps that are installed in them are called point or “spot”, which is translated from English as “Point”. These can use both 12-24V lamps and the usual 220V. The design of the device, although standard, is installed in different sockets, and the lamps in them are also fixed in different ways. This approach helps to create a multi-zone ceiling light that is appropriate both in the home and in the office. Let's find out how to change a light bulb in a suspended ceiling without damaging it.

What kind of lamps are used in spotlights?

In stores you can find a whole range of products for spotlights; they differ in both voltage and design. When replacing a lamp, you need to pay attention to both factors:

  1. Supply voltage – 12, 24 or 220 V.
  2. Base type.

The 12V supply voltage allows the use of such lamps in any room, including wet ones - the bathroom and kitchen. The type of base already depends on the lamp itself; for spotlights there are quite a lot of them, among them the most common ones can be identified:

  • GU5.3;
  • GU10;
  • GX53;

Generally speaking, they can be divided into two groups:

  1. Threaded base.
  2. Pin (the lamp must be inserted with or without rotation).

The last difference is the type of lamp:

  • Incandescent lamp;
  • Halogen;
  • Luminescent;
  • LED;

The last two types are usually called “Energy Saving”. Let's figure out how to change an LED and any other light bulb in a spotlight.

How to remove a light bulb from a suspended ceiling: 4 rules


 Layout of a spotlight in a suspended ceiling

Spots are not fixed in the suspended ceiling, but basically. Its frame is mounted on the ceiling, and its decorative part is located on the tension fabric. The socket can either be fixed to the frame of the spot, or simply hang on a wire, and the lamp is fixed in the lamp; we will tell you more about this below. The main thing when replacing is to adhere to the following rules:

  1. Use a stable ladder or stand. This is mandatory, because You cannot rest your hand on the suspended ceiling, you will damage it.
  2. Wear gloves. Halogen lamps should not be touched with bare hands. If greasy marks remain on their surface, this can lead to premature failure of the lamp. It is worth thinking about replacing halogen with diode analogues.
  3. When servicing lamps of the MR16 type, you must carefully remove the stopper so as not to lose it, otherwise the lamp will fall out.
  4. Make no effort. You must remove the light bulb or the spot itself carefully so as not to damage the suspended ceiling or drywall; determine the type of lamp and read the instructions for replacing it.

Replacing MR16, GU5.3 lamps


 Layout of a spotlight with a GU5.3 base

Lamps for MR16 with GU5.3 base hold the lamp using a locking ring. It is less like a ring and more like a bracket. Let's find out how to remove a light bulb from a spotlight.

  1. Turn off the power. To avoid electric shock, it is better to turn off the electricity completely, because the switch does not always break the phase wire, although the correct circuit involves disconnecting the phase from the light bulb.
  2. If there is a decorative shade on the lamp, remove it.
  3. Squeeze the locking bracket with two fingers using the antennae provided for this purpose. Now you need to take it out. The removed stopper can easily jump out of your fingers, be careful.
  4. The lamp will hang on the wire; now you need to remove it from the socket, holding onto it. Do not pull on the wire to avoid tearing it off.
  5. Reassemble everything in reverse order and install the retaining ring in its place. Please note that there are grooves (windows) on the lamp body for this purpose.

There are some nuances. If the stopper does not sit in its place, this could be due to two reasons. The first is that the lamp was not inserted completely or its housing is not made to the standard. The second is that the ring may not be from this lamp; you could have confused them if you changed several lamps at once.

Instead of a spring stopper, there may be a threaded ring. We simply unscrew it and repeat the described steps.

Replacing lamps type GX53 (tablet)


 Layout of spotlight type GX53

GX53s actually resemble a pill, they are usually round in shape with a white matte diffuser. Let's look at how to change gx53 light bulbs in a suspended ceiling. The procedure for replacing them is a little simpler than that of GU5.3. There are two pins on the lamp, but they are of a different shape. The pins have two diameters, the one closer to the lamp is smaller, and the one closer to the edge is twice as large. This is necessary to fix the light bulb in the socket. You don't have to disassemble anything here.

To replace this light bulb:

  1. Grasp the flask with one hand.
  2. Hold the frame of the lamp with your other hand.
  3. Turn the lamp counterclockwise 20 degrees.
  4. Pull out the lamp.
  5. Install the new one by turning it clockwise until it stops.

There is no need to remove the GX53 from the cartridge if it does not fit. The design allows for easy removal and insertion should be just as easy. It is fixed by turning and inserting the stops on the pins into a narrow place on the connector in the cartridge.

Replacing light bulbs with E14, E27 sockets

Light bulbs with such sockets are less common in spotlights than pin ones, but still. You just need to unscrew them and remove them from the lamp. Now we will tell you how to change it in a spotlight. Depending on its design, there may be a locking ring, as described in the first type of lamp, or the lamp itself may be removed from the ceiling. On plasterboard ceilings, these are held in place by spring-loaded legs located opposite each other and spread in different directions under the action of a spring. You need to carefully remove the spot from the ceiling without damaging the latter, after which it will be convenient to unscrew the light bulb and screw in a new one. The stops, under the action of tension, will close towards each other and release the lamp.

Replacing a lamp in a suspended ceiling

The lamp in the suspended ceiling is fixed through plastic mounting rings. The spot itself rests on spring-loaded legs. The paws rest against the ring through the tension fabric. To remove such a lamp, do just two steps:

  1. Grasp the ring in the stretch ceiling with your hand, slightly resting on it.
  2. Pull the lamp body.

The springs will give in and the stops will come out of the ring.


The rings can be located on the reverse side of the tension film. Do not mindlessly pull on the body; do it with smooth but confident movements. Usually the wire to the cartridge is long enough and should not create obstacles.

We told you how to change an LED lamp in a suspended ceiling, now let's learn about some of the subtleties. Our tips will help you do this without damaging the wiring and ceiling covering, as well as quickly burning out the lamp.

  1. If a lamp burns out in the same place more often than others, the problem is in the socket. Pin sockets are not designed for high power, so it is better to use energy-saving lamps, then the socket will last longer, but if it is already damaged, replace the lamp or socket.
  2. Do not paw the flask - use napkins and gloves. In addition to visual defects, this can lead to burnout of halogen light sources, as we have already mentioned. Such lamps need to be handled with a napkin or with gloves; simple HB from a hardware store will do. If you don’t have them at hand, you can even use medical ones. A napkin will also help avoid problems. The last option is paper tape.
  3. If the lamp does not work, do not use force. It can stick to the cartridge, this happens due to power surges and overheating. Duct tape or paper tape will help. You can cover the protruding edge of the flask and pull the edge of the tape. This way you can apply more force without damaging the ceiling.

Errors

The main mistake is the use of powerful halogen lamps. For example, the GU5.3 base does not tolerate working with lamps over 40 W. To make the lighting brighter, add more lamps, or use LED or fluorescent fixtures. With the same power consumption, LEDs shine five or more times brighter. The price of LEDs has dropped significantly over the past five years, and the quality of the products has improved. They are suitable for both backlight and main lighting

If you already have high-power LED devices installed, try white lamps. Warm light visually seems dimmer and softer, although they provide the same luminous flux.

Video on the topic

To consolidate the material covered, we suggest watching a video with tips on replacing lamps in spotlights. In the first video, the author shows how to get the lamp itself; it clearly demonstrates the fastening mechanism.

The second video shows replacing the MR16 GU5.3 12V lamp from halogen to LED.

The latest short video shows how to replace lamps with GX53 socket

Changing lamps is quite simple, but without certain knowledge you can damage the ceiling structure. Do this carefully and follow the tips in this article.

Ask a new question

Hi all!
I have a lot of information on the website on repairing and replacing LED backlights, and on repairs lcd backlight And replacement CCFL lamps no information.
Well, this article will, in some way, correct this shortcoming.
Everything you need to know about backlighting before you climb inside your monitor or TV.
1.The first and main signs of problems with the lamp:
— the image has acquired a constant or periodic pink tint;
— the backlight goes out completely after switching on or after a while, while the sound remains and the picture can be viewed if you bring the lighting device to the monitor. A similar symptom may indicate problems with the inverter, which is responsible for transmitting the signal to the lamps.
  1. Quantity lamps in LCD on monitors there are usually at least 4, and on TVs it can be one or several. This depends on many factors: the age of the device, its diagonal, etc.
  2. Before replacing, you need to make sure that the new light elements fit the parameters. For this purpose, there are tables on the correspondence of lamps to display diagonals. Better to follow it. It is possible that you will be able to install a lamp with a length difference of 1-2 mm, but this will take more time and effort.
  3. The process of replacing lamps for a beginner will take approximately 3-4 hours if you follow the instructions and do not experiment.
  4. Caution doesn't hurt! When working with an inverter, be extremely careful, because its voltage output is approximately 1000V. And when you change the lamps, try not to break them, because... they are very fragile and contain mercury vapor.
Process replacing lamps lcd backlight TVs and monitors.
For the lamp replacement procedure itself, you will need:
- a well-cleaned room and a clean surface;
— rubber gloves (medical gloves are ideal);
- a sharp thin knife (for example, a stationery knife);
— heat-shrinkable tubes;
- Screwdriver Set.
So, you need to get to the lamps. At first monitor (TV) must be freed from the protective plastic box - unfasten it from the narrow panel, which is located along the perimeter of the screen in front. Then carefully, by unscrewing a few screws, remove the entire LCD module from the metal frame.

Now begins the most difficult work that requires patience and accuracy - disassembling the electronic panel and module into components. To remove the matrix (and it will have to be removed), you will need to arm yourself with tweezers and peel off the protective film from the electronic board (matrix decoder). This must be done carefully, because the decoder is only 1 mm thick, and it is connected to the matrix by the thinnest data lines. If you try to cut off the film or pull harder, a breakdown will inevitably occur, after which it will be impossible to restore the functionality of the element.


When removing the matrix, like other elements, you need to wear gloves, because finger stains will subsequently be reflected on the image. In the same way, dust and other debris will make themselves known, so you should minimize their contact with open elements.

After removing the matrix, a set of filters and a light guide, where the lamps are located, will come into view. They can be located in pairs in pencil cases at the top and bottom of the monitor or in horizontal rows along the entire perimeter of the screen. In rare cases, it may not be necessary to completely disassemble the LCD module, because sometimes cases with lamps are removed in more accessible ways. But all this can be learned only in the process of work.

When you get to the lamps, you can immediately notice the faulty ones - blackened cathodes will tell about this. But if the lamps visually look the same, then you will have to figure out which one to change. The method of replacing a working (preferably new) lamp will be the simplest. If this method cannot be implemented, then using a special device you can create a resistance of approximately 1 kOhm-2 W through an inverter.

After replacing the lamps, perform the reverse process - collecting all the parts of the device into the original design. Assemble carefully to avoid fingerprints, dirt, dust and foreign objects. If everything is done correctly, the TV or monitor will work normally.

Replacing the standard CCFL lamp with an LED one.

Devices with an LCD system use CCFL lamps or, in our opinion, fluorescent lamps, which glow not by heating the cathodes, but by applying voltage to them. That's why they are called cold cathode lamps. Such a light source should ideally be replaced with an identical one. But we will briefly look at replacing it with an alternative LED lighting system:

  • First, you will need to disassemble the device according to the scheme described above.
  • Remove the lamps and remove the inverter.
  • Buy an LED strip of the right size and better white glow. You can find ready-made designs with a set of LEDs and a control device for them.
  • The LED strip is glued with double-sided tape to the place where the fluorescent lamp was.
  • Wires are connected to this design, which are brought out onto the board and soldered to where the 12V power supply is indicated.
  • The functionality of this circuit is checked and the monitor or TV is assembled.

This method has disadvantages and advantages. CCFL lamps definitely illuminate brighter and more evenly (better for the eyes), but LED strip is more affordable and less expensive. This backlight is not adjustable. Although you can try to create a more complex control circuit yourself, which will take more than one hour (maybe a day) or you can spend money and buy a ready-made design with a controller. But, perhaps, the main advantage of LED backlighting is significant energy savings and durability (120 years!!).


Light bulbs are consumables that, depending on the quality of production and operating conditions, have a certain “lifetime”. This “life” ends the moment when, after turning on the lamp again, you are still standing in a dark or partially lit room. Sometimes you come across lamps that are so complex in design that replacing them becomes a whole undertaking. This is especially true for built-in LED and halogen devices with non-standard models.

In this article we will look at the types of sockets found in everyday life, as well as ways to remove various light bulbs from any lamp and replace them with new ones. Separately, it is worth considering the issue of replacing them in a suspended ceiling. We will also find out how to change a halogen lamp.

Types of socles

A socket is a thread or other type of connector with which a light bulb is attached to a socket or lamp. The base contains contacts that, when interacting with the contacts of the lamp, conduct current.

The following types of bases are found in everyday life:

  • E27 is the most common type; it is screwed into almost all chandeliers and floor lamps. It has the form of a thread with a diameter of 27 mm.
  • E14 is the second most common base, thread with a diameter of 14 mm. It is available in low-power models that are installed in floor lamps, bedside lamps, and wall decorative lamps.
  • The picture below in the second row shows the bases of tubular fluorescent lamps found in long ceiling and wall lamps.
  • In the third row you can see those that are built into the ceiling lamp.

How to unscrew a light bulb with your own hands

Each type of fixture and lamp has its own replacement instructions, but the first steps are the same for all cases.

  • Completely de-energize your home at the panel or meter. In this case, there is no need to worry about electric shock.
  • To access tall chandeliers and spot lights on a suspended ceiling, find a stable stepladder or stool. When working with such fragile parts, you need to be sure of where you stand.
  • We carefully stand on a stool (or remain on the floor if the light bulb can be reached without effort), working only with the switch off with dry hands.
  • Further steps for replacing lamps depend on their type. If these are threaded sockets, then with one hand we grasp the light bulb itself (attention, it may still be hot), and with the other we hold on to the socket. Using gentle movements, we begin to unscrew it counterclockwise. Do not squeeze the glass too hard - remember, it is thin. When unscrewing a halogen lamp, remove it only with clean and soft gloves.
  • If the light bulb cannot be unscrewed, you need to try to loosen it, then it will give in.
  • If it burns out because it burst, then unscrewing it will be quite difficult. How to change a broken light bulb in this case? There is nothing to grab hold of - only sharp shards of glass stick out from the cartridge. A regular potato will help you. Cut it in half, carefully place the cut on the protruding fragments, and then use gentle movements counterclockwise.

  • Even if the fragments do not stick out, but the base is firmly lodged in the socket, it can be unscrewed using an ordinary plastic bottle. Using a match or lighter, slightly melt the neck of the bottle, and while the plastic is hot, insert it into the empty base. Wait a minute for the plastic inside to harden, then unscrew the rest. The E14 base can be removed using a wine stopper. This method is not suitable for replacing light bulbs in a suspended ceiling lamp.
  • Long tubular fluorescent lamps have their own fixation method. To remove, grasp the body of the lamp with both hands and carefully rotate it along its axis in any direction. During the process, several characteristic clicks will be heard along the edges of the lamp - this is how it should be, these are the fasteners clicking. After turning approximately 45 degrees, the lamp contacts will appear along the edges of the mount, and it can be easily pulled out of the grooves.

  • How to change a light bulb in a spotlight? With built-in lamps the situation is a little more complicated. The lamps are secured in them using special springs made of hardened metal. To interact with them, there are special levers on the body; by pressing them, you will release the light bulb from the mount, and it can be removed. The main thing is not to overdo it with pressing the levers - they are quite fragile, they are very easy to break. In addition, if you suddenly release the light bulb, it may slip out and fall to the floor, which will lead to the formation of a large number of dangerous fragments and damage to the floor covering - not the best way to replace a lamp in a suspended ceiling.
  • If you can't find any levers, but you can grasp the device with your hands, try gently turning it 90 degrees counterclockwise. How to remove a spotlight? There are fasteners that, after turning the light bulb and making a quiet click, allow you to remove it. After removing the lamp, set it aside in a safe place.

How to install a new one

Installation is usually the exact opposite of removal in technology.

  • Threaded versions are screwed into the chuck clockwise until it reaches a sensitive stop. Do not overdo it with screwing, so as not to burst the light bulb or crack the socket. Halogen lamps are also replaced.
  • Long lamps are inserted with contacts into the slots from which the old lamp was removed. After this, the lamp is rotated by hand along its axis 90 degrees until a characteristic click is heard.
  • Light bulbs in ceiling and other built-in lamps are usually simply inserted back until the spring clicks; you do not need to press any levers for this. Using similar mechanisms, spotlights are replaced.
  • After installation, make sure that the lamp is securely fastened in its socket and does not dangle in it; this is especially important when replacing it in a spotlight.
  • Try turning on an LED or other installed lamp - be sure to turn away from it, and give the command “light” to everyone present so that they do not look either. Take care of your eyes when turning on new lamps - there have been cases when they, defective, burst the first time they were turned on.

Conclusion

Despite the abundance of models that can be found in everyday life, you can replace them all with your own hands. The main thing is to follow safety precautions both when removing the old lamp and when screwing it in. Be careful not to squeeze the glass or tamper with the thin and fragile parts of lamps and halogen lamps - the damage caused may be hazardous to your health.