How to repair/replace the pull-chain switch in a bankers lamp

Anything containing moving parts is at risk of breaking at some point, and the pull-chain switch on a bankers lamp is no different.

When the pull-chain mechanism on a bankers lamp breaks, it pretty much leaves the lamp useless as you cannot turn it on, however, fixing it is really easy. In this article, I will explain how you can do it in 3 easy steps.

Some quick terminology

A lamp socket typically consists of 3-4 pieces, depending on the type, and in order to make it easier for you to understand which piece I’m talking about during the process, lets lay out some fundamental terminology.

A lamp socket is made up of 3 fundamental pieces, an outer shell, a cap and the inner socket piece.

The cap is at the back end of the socket and is the piece that attaches the socket to the lamp itself. The actual socket is the inner piece in which the light bulb is screwed into and to which the electrical wires attach. This is also the piece that contains the pull-chain mechanism. The outer cap is the outermost piece, which is fitted onto the cap to enclose the inner socket piece.

All sockets whose cap is screwed onto the lamp tend to have a standard thread size, making any socket fit. Newer lamps generally have plastic sockets where the outer shell is screwed into the cap. In older lamps, the outer shell is fitted onto the cap with small indentations at the site of attachment. These older socket types typically also have a 4th piece, which is the insulation sleeve, which is a tube of cardboard which surrounds the inner socket piece which has to be fitted on before enclosing it with the outer shell.

What do you need?

There’s not a lot you need to fix the pull-chain switch, as it can be done with simply replacing the inner socket piece of the lamp socket.

If your lamp is equipped with a standard 3-piece plastic socket, which is the case with most bankers lamps sold today, this inner socket piece from amazon should do the trick. To make sure it’s of the right size, compare the size to the one in your lamp already.

If you are unsure whether the inner piece will fit, you can simply buy a completely new socket that will fit your lamp as long as you have a screw-on socket as they have a standard thread size. This plastic one from amazon is a good choice in a newer bankers lamp, but if you want a more retro look you can go with one of these brass sockets that come in different colors.

For an emeralite, I would recommend getting a socket where the outer shell is not screwed onto the cap, as in some lamps (like the 8734 emeralites), the cap is a part of the lamp itself, and not screwed onto it.

This aluminum bronze socket or this one in polished brass from amazon should replace the old one without putting the lamp to shame.

It might be a good idea to trim the ends of the wires when replacing the socket, for which a wire cutter and stripper can come in handy. You can find one at your local hardware store or get one from amazon like this wire cutter/stripper from Irwin, which should serve you well in your DIY projects in years to come.

▶ Video Instructions

This guide is applicable to all bankers lamps, newer ones and antique emeralites alike, as long as the socket is attached to the lamp with threads (screwed on to the lamp). Because this is rather visual, you can also watch this video on youtube from 03:26 min, in addition to reading this guide:

The mechanism is a bit different in the emeralite model 8734, but replacing the socket should work (see towards the end of article).

Step 1: Remove the outer shell and inner socket

To remove the outer shell you simply screw it off which should reveal the inner piece, to which the wiring is attached. Get a small screwdriver and detach the wires, but be sure to note which wire goes to which screw, if the wires are colored it will certainly help you out.

In all lamps, the hot lead goes to the gold/brass screw and the common lead goes to the silver screw. With colored wires, the hot wire (which goes to the hot lead) is usually black or red, while the common wire is white. If the wires are not colored you can easily identify the neutral/common wire by its ribbed insulation covering, while the hot wire insulation is smooth.

If you are replacing the entire socket, you do the same, but after removing the inner socket, you also detach the cap by unscrewing it from the lamp.

Step 2: Attach the new socket

Get your new socket piece and prepare to attach the wires. If the wires appear worn you might want to fresh-end the wires by cutting the ends and removing about 5/8 inch of the insulation to bring out some new fresh wire.

Before attaching the socket, you would want to check if the wires have an underwriter’s knot, which will prevent the wires from detaching from the screws when pulled. To tie one is really easy and this short youtube video will show you exactly how to do it:

Once you have everything in place, twist the wire ends and reattach the wires to the new socket, just make sure you attach the correct wires to the right screw (hot lead to gold/brass screw), before putting the socket into the cap.

If you are replacing the entire socket, you simply screw on the cap where the old one was, and follow the steps above.

Step 3: Assemble the new socket

Now you are on the home stretch, all you need to do is assemble everything. One thing you want to make sure of before finishing up is that the hole where the pull chain exits is directed downwards so that you don’t pull it an angle once you are done.

Most sockets are equipped with a set screw at the back end of the cap, and keeping it untightened should enable you to adjust the angle of the pull chain by turning the socket, just make sure to tighten it before finishing up, or else your socket might move when pulling the cord.

If your new socket is equipped with a cardboard insulation tube, make sure it’s in place, around the inner socket, before attaching the outer shell.

Considerations for the emeralite

As mentioned, there might be some differences in antique emeralites. While some of them have the traditional screw-on threaded sockets, like this one (link to youtube video), others, like the 8734 models, have the cap of the socket attached to the base. In which case replacing the inner socket and outer shell should be possible with the socket recommended earlier, or you could simply buy the whole socket, but only replace the inner socket piece.

Although it might seem a bit excessive to buy a whole socket just for the inner piece, keep in mind that an antique emeralite in good condition with its original base and glass shade is worth  up to $400 or even more, and investing 5 bucks to get it working again isn’t that big of a deal.

If your socket is just dirty and looks bad, you can use these steps to dismantle the socket in order to clean it.

Conclusion

There you have it! It’s a relatively easy fix, its more a matter of having the right replacement parts or getting a new socket that will fit. Although the sockets recommended above should fit, an easy way to avoid purchasing something you won’t be able to use is to compare it to the socket in your lamp, measure it, and compare it to the dimensions in the product description.

I hoped this helped you out and I wish you good luck in getting your lamp back in working order with a brand new pull-chain switch.

If you have any comments or other useful tips not included here be sure to leave a comment in the comment section below.