Submitted by imdoingmyroutine t3_10ybgef in DIY
I am quite new with wiring and my knowledge so far basically just extends to how to safely replace sockets/stitches etc. I ran across this weird old painted over outlet at my house and am trying to replace it with the bulb socket shown in photos. I see that 2 different white wires are coming into it coming from 2 separate wires. Would love some help understanding what is going on and how i should wire up new outlet. thanks!
photos here https://imgur.com/a/YCjo42C
wardseths t1_j7x61lm wrote
Two whites are neutrals going onto the silver screw. You'll need a third wire coming from the two whites to connect to the light socket. The red goes straight to the gold screw. It's the return wire from the black hots in that box go to the switch and come back on the red to turn it on. If you wanted the light to be on all the time you'd hook into the blacks.