How to Remove
Broken Light Bulbs
Removing Broken
Light Bulbs
Introduction:
Very often
installed light
bulbs in lamps and
light fixtures get
broken. Most of the
time, these broken
light bulbs can be
difficult to remove
without getting cut
by the broken
glass. There is an
easy solution to
this problem. Here
are a few
suggestions on how
to remove broken
light bulbs.
Care should be
taken to prevent
injury.
1.
Before you start to
remove a broken
bulb, turn off the
power to the light
(or unplug the
lamp. To insure
that the power is
removed from light
fixtures, turn the
light switch to the
ON position and
place the tip of
your voltage sensor
in the broken bulb
base. If the sensor
beeps or lights up,
then the wires are
still live and are
not safe to work.
Check the main
circuit panel again
and trip the
correct breaker to
disconnect power to
the light fixture.
If the sensor does
not beep or light
up, the circuit is
safe to work on.
2.
Put on safety
glasses and a pair
of heavy leather
work gloves. Use
needle nose pliers
to remove any
broken shards of
glass still
attached to the
light bulb base. If
you’re working on a
ladder, have a
helper hold the
base of the ladder.
3.
Insert the needle
nose pliers into
the broken bulb
base as far as they
will go. Spread the
handles of the
pliers firmly
apart. This will
cause the jaws to
press against the
inside of the
socket to form a
grip to remove the
base. Turn the
pliers slowly
counterclockwise,
unscrewing the bulb
base. If the bulb
won’t move, try
wrapping the jaws
of the pliers in
duct tape for extra
grip.
4.
To
remove the broken
light bulb from a
lamp simply use a
dish towel or rag
placed over the
broken bulb and
unscrew it from the
lamp.
That is how to
safely remove a
broken light bulb.
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