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

jimithing78

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.

Gigs

Yes they make them, no they aren't a good idea, not for permanent use anyway.

http://www.buyhardwaresupplies.com/?...Number=3190592

The main problem is the wires laying against that hot light bulb can get heat damaged. At least use a CFL if you are set on this plan.

KE2KB

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.

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theatretch85

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.

rgsgww

I had one of these for my coaxial amplifier...the cable melted and shorted out.

Clutchcargo

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.

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47_47

Replace the light with a duplex outlet and plug the fluorescent lamps into that.

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What we've got here is... failure to communicate. Some men you just can't reach. So you get what we had here last week, which is the way he wants it... well, he gets it.

thegonagle

How about replacing the existing fixture with a fixture that has a built-in grounded outlet? The ceramic type is usually less than $5, and you should be able get one at any hardware or big-box store.

Steven Jackson

They are illegal by code, but they will work.

You can find them at Home Depot.

Gigs

They aren't illegal any more than an extension cord is illegal. What's a violation is using something like an extension cord wiring as a permanent substitute for new wiring.

Steven Jackson

They are illegal by code.
Take it up with the NFPA, not me.

Gigs

I can't if you don't tell me where in the code.

Steven Jackson

Thought you would never ask.
410.47

Gigs

"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.

Steven Jackson

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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