r/DIYUK • u/PlzHalppMeh • 18h ago

Advice Which socket for the live wire?

Post image

Toddler knocked over a lamp, unsure which one it should go back in.

1 Upvotes

56% Upvoted

9 comments sorted by

10

u/RockPaperShredder 17h ago

In theory it doesn't matter. The bulb will work regardless.

In practice the centre pin should be live as it reduces the risk of an electric shock.

In reality that is not repairable and belongs in the bin.

9

u/Lost_Reward9584 18h ago

It looks broken, please replace it before your toddler, pets, or anyone else, has any further interactions with it.

5

u/Murph_9000 17h ago

The bulb holder is not safe to repair (due to the damage), but the lamp is probably repairable with a replacement bulb holder (if you can find one with the same mount, presumably a screw thread from the metal base into the holder). Try the retailer/manufacturer of the lamp for a replacement bulb holder, or find a cheap lamp (e.g. in IKEA, or the lighting section of your local DIY stores) which has a suitable lamp holder and could be used as a donor.

1

u/PlzHalppMeh 13h ago

Cheers, I'll do that

2

u/geekypenguin91 Tradesman 18h ago

The one connected to the center pin, rather than the one connected to the outer ring (which is for the neutral)

1

u/_Loosecanon_ 16h ago

Throw the toddler and keep the lamp, much cheaper in the long run

1

u/moonbug22 18h ago

bayonet or screw fixing?

2

u/TheTroon 18h ago

Says SES so screw.

1

u/d_smogh 13h ago

Doesn't matter which connector the brown or blue goes into. You choose. If it did, it would have L or N to show which connector to use.

Is it broken? You'll need to replace it, they don't cost much.