Discussions

I have recessed lights under the garage eaves and when changing a couple of bulbs the ceramic covering of the socket broke - is this an important part of the socket or can I just screw the new bulbs into the exposed socket?  
If you think I need a new socket and electrician who do you recommend - a reasonable price would be nice also.

By either you or an electrician, it must be addressed now. The ceramic is the insulator of the socket to keep it from touching anything else within the fixture. I'm assuming the fixture housing is metal and if the bulb moves for whatever reason, the socket may come in contact with the exterior part of the fixture. Depending on how well the light fixture is "grounded", the whole light assembly could end up becoming live. ...Along with your metal soffits, fascia and eaves troughs may also become charged as well. The ceramic broke for a reason. Probably because there is already movement within the socket every time the bulb gets replaced. So, when the next time that bulb needs changing, and you're standing on the aluminum ladder... just by bracing yourself against the underside of the roof, while fiddling with the light, could end up you getting jolted.  
 
Fix it soon before something bad happens.  
 
Just my opinion, I could be wrong.

Call an electrician, I will send you the name of the guy we always use

replacing the socket is a pretty easy fix, the plain light sockets are a few bucks a the store and only a few wires but if you dont feel comfortable doing it yourself any handyman could do that for you pretty reasonably

Yeah, it's not a very difficult job and you can buy replacement sockets. If you don't feel comfortable doing it yourself then call an electrician, but don't just leave it broken.

DIY..man

Thank you for your input - I don't feel comfortable doing any electrical repairs so have a friend who is a qualified electrician coming to do the repairs.