An often overlooked but very
important safety feature in
many sockets is the cardboard
insulator (A) seen in figure 1. It
is used to prevent the inner
thread of the socket (B) from
making contact with the outer
shell of the socket (C). It is
also used to prevent the
thread of a light bulb from
accidentally connecting with
the outer shell of the socket
when being screwed in.
Hundreds of lamps come into
the shop with these insulators
badly deteriorated, and this is
a big concern when one thinks
of the damage that can be
caused by this neglect.
In figure 2 we see what can
important safety feature in
many sockets is the cardboard
insulator (A) seen in figure 1. It
is used to prevent the inner
thread of the socket (B) from
making contact with the outer
shell of the socket (C). It is
also used to prevent the
thread of a light bulb from
accidentally connecting with
the outer shell of the socket
when being screwed in.
Hundreds of lamps come into
the shop with these insulators
badly deteriorated, and this is
a big concern when one thinks
of the damage that can be
caused by this neglect.
In figure 2 we see what can
was brought to me shortly after it was "re-wired" by
another repair shop. In fact, a new cord was simply
brought up just inside the base and attached to the old,
inner cord. This is not only lazy, it is dangerous. When the
socket was opened, I found the insulator was badly
burned out even towards the bottom, and the cord's
insulation had been burned off from over use. This should
have been caught by the repair person. One way or
another this lamp was going to short out. Unfortunately it
shorted out in the worst possible way. When the customer
put in the bulb it connected with the outer shell and the
result is pictured here. Part of the light bulb is still welded
to the socket. The customer not only received a nasty
shock, she was cut and burned on the hand by broken
glass and hot metal.
It should be pointed out to the reader that the socket
another repair shop. In fact, a new cord was simply
brought up just inside the base and attached to the old,
inner cord. This is not only lazy, it is dangerous. When the
socket was opened, I found the insulator was badly
burned out even towards the bottom, and the cord's
insulation had been burned off from over use. This should
have been caught by the repair person. One way or
another this lamp was going to short out. Unfortunately it
shorted out in the worst possible way. When the customer
put in the bulb it connected with the outer shell and the
result is pictured here. Part of the light bulb is still welded
to the socket. The customer not only received a nasty
shock, she was cut and burned on the hand by broken
glass and hot metal.
It should be pointed out to the reader that the socket
Another danger in the world of lighting is the
widely growing use of halogen lamps. These
high-intensity, sometimes low-voltage lamps
have gained much popularity of late for their
brilliant white light and low profiles. Look closely
behind the light bulb in figure 3 at left. This is a
12 volt, 50 watt swing arm wall light brought to
me for testing. What I found was the aluminum
heat shield behind the bulb had melted, which
in turn destroyed the wiring. The
widely growing use of halogen lamps. These
high-intensity, sometimes low-voltage lamps
have gained much popularity of late for their
brilliant white light and low profiles. Look closely
behind the light bulb in figure 3 at left. This is a
12 volt, 50 watt swing arm wall light brought to
me for testing. What I found was the aluminum
heat shield behind the bulb had melted, which
in turn destroyed the wiring. The
resulting short circuit burned out the transformer. The point here is that although there was
no personal property damage other that the light fixture, what would the results have been if
this lamp had been near flammable materials? If it got hot enough to melt aluminum, then
certainly draperies or bed linens would have posed a great risk to one's home. This warning
often goes ignored by my customers. They want the light for the brilliance of its illumination.
Might I suggest to all that the General Electric Reveal bulbs be given a chance? They are
incandescent bulbs used in traditional lamps, and they provide a brilliant, natural white light
for tired eyes. Check them out in your local hardware store (I have no connection
whatsoever with GE, I just discovered these bulbs and now use them frequently in my
custom made table lamps).
no personal property damage other that the light fixture, what would the results have been if
this lamp had been near flammable materials? If it got hot enough to melt aluminum, then
certainly draperies or bed linens would have posed a great risk to one's home. This warning
often goes ignored by my customers. They want the light for the brilliance of its illumination.
Might I suggest to all that the General Electric Reveal bulbs be given a chance? They are
incandescent bulbs used in traditional lamps, and they provide a brilliant, natural white light
for tired eyes. Check them out in your local hardware store (I have no connection
whatsoever with GE, I just discovered these bulbs and now use them frequently in my
custom made table lamps).
| To be continued... |
© 2008 THE LAMP REPAIR SHOP
shown here is made of solid brass, which has a melting point of 1700°F (926°C)! That just
shows the power released during a short circuit. It astounds me when people knowingly
ignore this problem, especially professional trades people.
shows the power released during a short circuit. It astounds me when people knowingly
ignore this problem, especially professional trades people.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 1
happen when such neglect is ignored by repair shops. This socket is from a lamp that
FIGURE 3