I need to repair a pole lamp; one of the sockets went bad. The lamp currently has porcelain sockets, in particular they are bottom knob turn sockets. Not only can't I find a replacement socket at Home Depot / Lowes, I can't even find a porcelain one on the web. I can only find bakelite. Does bakelite withstand as much heat as porcelain?
Porcelain vs. bakelite socket
Aug 22, 2006
1 Replies
Bakelite, phenolics, most electrical grade thermosets don't come close to porcelain in high temperature performance. That's why the lamp maker chose it. You have some options: 1) contact the lamp maker for a new socket. 2) Check McMaster-Carr or Grainger catalogs. 3) Find a friendly warehouse where the pros buy their stuff and buy a Pass & Seymour Cat # 3152-8,
9880, 10045 or 10085 socket to fit your lamp. 4) Check Yellow pages for a lamp specialty house if you live in one of the larger cities. 5) Find a used furniture outlet and buy a lamp with a salvageable socket. 6) put the lamp out for your yard sale and buy a new one. You may be stuck with a totally unique design, in which case #1 is your only choice. Good luck.Joe
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