An Electric Lamp - Project 1 | Appropriate Technology | IDST 300 | Study Guides, Projects, Research Humanities

Exploring Electrical Technology (IDST 300)

Names:_______________________

Messiah College _______________________

Dr. Harold Underwood Group Bag#: ______

Project #1: An Electric Lamp

Objectives: 1. Assemble a simple working lamp socket and plug to become more familiar

with a common household electrical device.

2. Learn some basic electrical wiring procedures and how to use a wire cutter.

3. Compare lighting with compact fluorescent versus incandescent bulbs.

Introduction:

While a lamp is a fairly simple electrical device, all of the assembly steps must be performed in

proper fashion. Failure to do so may lead to a hazardous situation. IMPORTANT: Do not

attempt to plug in your lamp at anytime during this exercise. Your lamp must first be

tested by your instructor. Only your instructor will plug in the lamp for testing.

Procedure: Check off each step with a pencil, when completed, before continuing to the next

step. This will be especially helpful if you have to stop before you finish, so you can pick up

again later, right where you left off.

A. Wiring the plug.

____1. Locate the plug.

____2. Select a suitable screwdriver from your blue plastic toolbox to remove the two screws

next to the prongs that keep the plug in its case. Be sure not to lose these two small screws, you

will need them again later. Pull the plastic plug pieces apart and set the components aside.

____3. Locate the piece of white line cord (also called zip cord or lamp cord).

____4. If not already split, on one end separate the lamp cord wire as shown in Figure 1 (see

attached). You may use a blade of the wire cutter (and stripper) from your toolbox to start the

split, if necessary. Be careful, since the blade may be sharp. Separate about 2 inches of wire.

____5. Use the two loose ends to tie the underwriters knot as shown in Figure 2, leaving about 1

inch of wire to the free ends beyond the knot.

____6. At the knotted end of the cord, use the wire stripper this time to remove a 1/2 to 3/4 inch

length of insulation from each of the two free wires. When using a wire stripper, put the

insulated piece of wire in the notch and squeeze GENTLY so as to cut only about halfway

through the insulation. Try to avoid cutting any of the copper wire! Once the insulation is cut,

use your wire stripper to pull the loose piece of insulation off the exposed end of wire. See also

Figure 3.

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Exploring Electrical Technology (IDST 300) Names:_______________________ Messiah College _______________________ Dr. Harold Underwood Group Bag#: ______ Project #1: An Electric Lamp Objectives: 1. Assemble a simple working lamp socket and plug to become more familiar with a common household electrical device.

Learn some basic electrical wiring procedures and how to use a wire cutter.
Compare lighting with compact fluorescent versus incandescent bulbs. Introduction: While a lamp is a fairly simple electrical device, all of the assembly steps must be performed in proper fashion. Failure to do so may lead to a hazardous situation. IMPORTANT: Do not attempt to plug in your lamp at anytime during this exercise. Your lamp must first be tested by your instructor. Only your instructor will plug in the lamp for testing. Procedure: Check off each step with a pencil, when completed, before continuing to the next step. This will be especially helpful if you have to stop before you finish, so you can pick up again later, right where you left off. A. Wiring the plug. ____1. Locate the plug. ____2. Select a suitable screwdriver from your blue plastic toolbox to remove the two screws next to the prongs that keep the plug in its case. Be sure not to lose these two small screws, you will need them again later. Pull the plastic plug pieces apart and set the components aside. ____3. Locate the piece of white line cord (also called zip cord or lamp cord). ____4. If not already split, on one end separate the lamp cord wire as shown in Figure 1 (see attached). You may use a blade of the wire cutter (and stripper) from your toolbox to start the split, if necessary. Be careful, since the blade may be sharp. Separate about 2 inches of wire. ____5. Use the two loose ends to tie the underwriters knot as shown in Figure 2, leaving about 1 inch of wire to the free ends beyond the knot. ____6. At the knotted end of the cord, use the wire stripper this time to remove a 1/2 to 3/4 inch length of insulation from each of the two free wires. When using a wire stripper, put the insulated piece of wire in the notch and squeeze GENTLY so as to cut only about halfway through the insulation. Try to avoid cutting any of the copper wire! Once the insulation is cut, use your wire stripper to pull the loose piece of insulation off the exposed end of wire. See also Figure 3.

____7. Pull the wire through the plug housing as shown in Figure 4 so the underwriters knot is seated snugly at the bottom, but does not pass through the hole. ____8. Twist each exposed end of bare wire so the wire strands are tightly packed (as in Figures 3 and 4). It is important for safety to twist all of the fine strands into a tightly packed bundle. ____9. Use pliers from your toolbox to bend a small hook in the wire (see Figure 4). Using pliers rather than your fingers may be preferred, if the pliers can make a neater hook. ____10. Loosen the screws on the prongs of the plug. Continue turning them out until they stop, but do not force them beyond this point. ____11. Wrap the wire hook around the screw, so the hook points in the clockwise direction. This way, tightening the screw will also tighten the hooked bundle of wire. With a screw driver, tighten the screw and secure the wire. See also Figures 5 and 6 for further illustration. ____12. Make sure no loose strands stick out from underneath the screw. If you see loose strands, remove the wire, twist the strands together again, and reconnect. ____13. Attach the second wire to the other prong, as above. B. Wiring and Assembling the Lamp Socket ____1. Locate the lamp socket. Open the socket by squeezing and pulling on the upper part in the area marked APress.@ Identify the socket parts as illustrated in Figure 7. ____2. Separate about 2 1/2 inches of cord on the free end and put it through the center tube and base as shown in Figure 8. ____3. Tie the underwriters knot, as before. Refer to Figure 9 and/or Figure 2. ____4. Strip off from 1/2 to 3/4 inch of insulation at the free end of each wire. Twist strands of each wire into a tight bundle, as before. Use pliers to form a half-loop (hook) in each wire. ____5. Loosen the terminal screws on the lamp socket, but do not force them all the way out. ____6. Wrap one wire around each terminal screw in the clockwise direction and then tighten screws. ____7. Again, make sure no loose strands are visible. If loose strands exist, remove wire, twist strands together, and reconnect. C. Checking : Before final assembly, have your instructor check your plug and lamp socket, and initial below. Plug checked: ________ Lamp socket checked: _________

Technology (IDST 300) at Messiah College, by Dr. Harold Underwood.

An Electric Lamp - Project 1 | Appropriate Technology | IDST 300, Study Guides, Projects, Research of Humanities

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