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Do they make light bulb converters that will still allow a light bulb?

4K views 15 replies 10 participants last post by  Moike 
#1 ·
In my garage I have a single lightbulb to light the garage. I bought some fluorescent lights to give me some extra light and right now I just have an extension cord running to a plug to turn them on. I'd like to be able to control them with the light switch so I was wondering if they make a converter that will let me have a screwed in lightbulb and an electrical outlet to plug in the new light. That make sense? I tried searching google for one, but I didn't know what to call it.
 
#3 ·
We used to use a lot of those when I was a kid. Never had enough outlets, or enough lights. Most of the time, they were temporary connections.
For some strange reason, as a kid I used to call them "satellites".
Maybe because they sort of looked like the old Sputnik satellites?
I don't know.

They aren't a good idea because the wiring in most light fixtures is very small, #18, and you don't want to be loading it up with power tools, etc.
For your fluorescent lighting, it should work fine for a temp hookup.
 
#4 ·
I am going to assume that since this is a garage, the sockets these would be screwed into are likely porcelain or fiberglass light bases and as such should have at least 14 gauge wire run directly to the socket.

I would think these would be ok for a temporary basis, but if you intend to use the fluorescents for a long time, would think about putting in a few outlets in the ceiling for them to plug into, something that wouldn't take a whole lot of work to do.
 
#6 ·
In an apartment a long time ago, there were very few outlets. My then GF and I used one of those adapters in a sconce to power a hairdryer. I'm surprised we didn't burn the place down, the lamp burned out though.
I would get a fluorescent lamp that you could wire into the box that the bulb is in.
 
#14 ·
"Lampholders of the screw-shell type shall be installed for use as lampholders only"...

Well, yes, of course they are installed for lampholding use, but the NEC can't govern what people plug into them after installation. Are you saying people should pull a permit to screw in a light bulb?

If your interpretation were true, then pretty much any device other than a plain light bulb would be "illegal" (in your words). Self-ballasted CFL would run afoul of this, since you are screwing the ballast into the socket, not the lamp. Home automation devices would surely violate, as would "the clapper", dimmers, touch switches, energy saving wattage lowering devices, etc.
 
#15 · (Edited)
Crappy cell pic.

Sorry bud its not my interpretation, its Mike Holts.

Now would I use one in the same situation as Jimi, ya I probably would, but its still illegal none the less.

Not sure if you can read the bottom text or not but it reads... Lampholders of the screwshell type are designed for lamps only and receptacle adapters are not permitted.
 

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#16 ·
At my parents house, we used the exact same set up using the screw in adapter for bulb/ outlet. We connected a standard light bulb and plugged in a two bulb fluorescent light strip, to provide light over our washer/ dryer. The extension cord was stapled safely away from the heat of the light bulb. This setup was used exclusively for lights, and nothing else for 20+ years with no problems (and that set up is still there as we speak) I'm not promoting this set up in any way or form, just stating our experience.
 
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