Three pin light bulbs????

[silverfox1961]

Morning all,

This has got me confused.

My daughter recently moved into a new house (housing association) and all her light fitments are of the bayonet type but they are three pin? I have never seen this type before and the only bulbs she has managed to get are energy saving and cost nearly 12 quid each. She has to travel miles to get them as they don't stock these type of bulbs anywhere except near a U.S air base.

The housing association say that she can have the light fitments altered but she has to pay an electrician to do it. I can do it for her as it's only two wires to screw in but I remember that last year a new ruling that said any electrical work needs to be done by an electrician (except minor work-plugs etc.)

My thinking is that light fitments are classed as minor work.:?

Any thoughts?

 

fox:-|

[ceebee]

I,m an electrical engineer so might be able to help. These lampholders are quite unusual for domestic properties could you get more details of the actual lamp or the fitting it goes into. You say energy saving lamps fit but i don't know any energy saving lamp with a 3 pin bayonet holder.

[silverfox1961]

My daughter lives quite a way from me but I'll phone her (unless she sees this post on here as she just joined CAG). I had a look last time I was over and the fitment looks exactly like a two pin socket but with three pins. I'm quite prepared to go buy some "proper sockets" when i go over next and fit them for her.

just checked out a web site and they are MEM BC3 3 pin type bulb and a 20 watt is £10.87 EACH. I for the life of me cannot see the point unless the housing association has commission from the manufacturers.

As it's such a simple job to replace, am I allowed to do it without getting anyone into trouble. I have a healthy respect for electricity:)

 

fox

[ceebee]

i know the ones you mean now these are special lampholders put into new houses/flats so that only energy saving lamps are used to make them comply with Building Regulations. You could change it yourself but the HA might want you to change it back when your daughter moves out, assumming they find out! Ordinary energy saving lamps i.e. with two pins can be bought for a couple of pounds from any DIY store like Homebase

[silverfox1961]

Thanks Ceebee,

Yes that's what I was thinking of doing. I read the building regulations about this and it states that new houses have to be "green" and have systems in place to ensure that energy efficient lighting is used, hence the MEM sockets. She loves this house as it's in a very quiet cul de sac and her kids can play safely.

As I'm on benefits I get free bulbs sent every so often which I pass on to her. for that matter so does she but she can't use them yet.

When I go over next time I'll go via B&Q and pick up some light fittings. Even for the whole house it isn't going to cost too much and my time is free anyway.

Cheers:D

 

fox

[ceebee]

Just a tip in my experience B&Q etc have quite limited ranges and believe or not can be expensive, try this link they are very reasonable (Edit)

Edited November 25, 2008 by maroondevo52
Removed commercial link

[silverfox1961]

Thanks for the info BUT you may get a small slap on the wrist because the site team don't allow advertising. I'll get my daughter to pay for the bits as I don't have a credit/debit card and I'll give her the money back.

Thanks for all your help. I'll remember your name should I need help in the future.

 

fox

[silverfox1961]

LOL. Told you

[silverfox1961]

Sorry scott

[ceebee]

My apologies to the site team for the link just trying to be helpful and i don't have any connection with the company

[maroondevo52]

No problem ceebee.(well it was because I removed it)

 

Why I was reading a thread 'titled' Three pin light bulbs is anybodys guess

 

Regards.

 

Scott.

Edited November 25, 2008 by saintly_1
oops wrong button

[silverfox1961]

Why I was reading a thread 'titled' Three pin light bulbs is anybodys guess

 

 

 

I'm sure it was the curiosity factor. How many people have heard of let alone seen 3 pin light bulbs. Until I visited last, I'd never seen anything like it.

Apparently, new regulations in new build houses mean that they need to ensure that only energy saving light bulbs are used so by fitting 3 pin sockets (MEM type) makes sure that these type of bulbs are used rather than letting the consumer use their own judgement in what type of bulb should be fitted.

My daughter has found some bulbs. Only £10.50 EACH. ridiculous.

 

fox

[callumsgran]

Why I was reading a thread 'titled' Three pin light bulbs is anybodys guess

 

 

 

I'm sure it was the curiosity factor. How many people have heard of let alone seen 3 pin light bulbs. Until I visited last, I'd never seen anything like it.

Apparently, new regulations in new build houses mean that they need to ensure that only energy saving light bulbs are used so by fitting 3 pin sockets (MEM type) makes sure that these type of bulbs are used rather than letting the consumer use their own judgement in what type of bulb should be fitted.

My daughter has found some bulbs. Only £10.50 EACH. ridiculous.

 

fox

Yes indeed, it is ridiculous!

Whatever happened to freedom of choice?

If the government want us to use these more expensive 'greener' items then they should supply them or at least give us money off coupons

[buzby]

This site will give more info on the problem, and how to resolve the issue:

 

A bright idea? :: Architectures of Control :: Dan Lockton

 

The 'new' energy saving bulbs have a pin at the 12/3/6 o'clock positions, whilst the old ones just have the pins at 12 & 6 - so removing the pin that does not have one opposite it, will solve the problem and not compromise the fitting.

[saintly_1]

 

Why I was reading a thread 'titled' Three pin light bulbs is anybodys guess

 

Regards.

 

Scott.

proberbly the same reason I was ;-)

[silverfox1961]

Buzby,

thanks for the link. I don't even think my daughter has even tried to fit normal bulbs in. I didn't check the positions of of the pins because if they were at 4/8/12 then the light socket would never work with two pin bulbs.

looking at the pictures of these bulbs, she should be able to use a standard bayonet fitting in the socket. I'll ring her tomorrow to try one and see.

 

fox

[Michael Browne]

This site will give more info on the problem, and how to resolve the issue:

 

A bright idea? :: Architectures of Control :: Dan Lockton

 

The 'new' energy saving bulbs have a pin at the 12/3/6 o'clock positions, whilst the old ones just have the pins at 12 & 6 - so removing the pin that does not have one opposite it, will solve the problem and not compromise the fitting.

Looking at the picture the pins seem to be more like 11.30, 2.30 and 6, so I don't think that would work

 

Notice those three prongs are irregularly spaced. A normal bayonet bulb won’t fit in a BC3 fitting, and a BC3 bulb won’t fit in a normal bayonet fitting.

[silverfox1961]

Looking at the picture the pins seem to be more like 11.30, 2.30 and 6, so I don't think that would work

 

Oh bum! you're right. oh well, more money for daddy to pay out when i change the sockets for her:D

 

fox

[maroondevo52]

How many Caggers does it take to change a lightbulb

[Michael Browne]

At the last count more than 7, but hopefully less than 198,986

[robin9342]

I fail to see the point of these exclusive bulbs/fittings. The EU is banning incandescent bulbs in 2010 anyway. Though I hope that only applies to standard bulbs: What happens to, for example, lava lamps running on small incandescent bulbs?

[Michael Browne]

What happens to, for example, lava lamps running on small incandescent bulbs?

The skip

[ceebee]

that's not actually quite accurate they are initially banning 150watt lamps and restricting the sale of 100watt, specialist lamps such as golf balls, candle lamps and the ones you are referring to will be available for years although these will be phased out no doubt as replacements become more readilly available. P

[maroondevo52]

I did'nt know lightbulbs were so complicated

[saintly_1]

I did'nt know lightbulbs were so complicated

You just need electrickery for them.