Bayonet to Edison adapter - are the cheap ones safe

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Morgenmuffel

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Topic # 240160 23-Aug-2018 17:49

Went to replace a light bulb a few weeks ago only to discover I only had edison bulbs.
Decided I might grab some adapters as edison bulbs seem to be going cheap quite often but the cheapest adaptors were about $20 from suppliers I had heard of, there were other adapters from websites I had never heard of, for $1 - $2 but are these likely to be safe etc
Cheers

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mattwnz

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Reply # 2078082 23-Aug-2018 18:22

What is the model you have seen for $20, and is it a well known brand? You should be able to get B22 and E27 in the same type of bulb. What bulb is it?

SATTV

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Reply # 2078084 23-Aug-2018 18:24

Personally I would not touch them, going to someone like Bunnings or Mitre 10 will have approved adaptors.

In saying that LED bulbs are only a few dollars these days, just buy the correct bulb.

John

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Aredwood

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Reply # 2078085 23-Aug-2018 18:24

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Main safety hazard, is that Edison Screw fittings are meant to be wired with the thread connected to neutral. So you are less likely to be electrocuted if your finger touches the thread when installing / removing a lamp.

When using one of those adaptors, it will be a 50 / 50 chance as to wether the thread is neutral or live.

Even with the light switch off, there is always a chance that the fitting has been miswired, meaning that the contacts are always live.

Edit to add

And sometimes, part of the thread is exposed even when the lamp is installed. A major safety hazard if that thread is live.

If you must use those adaptors. Only use them in light fitting that are well out of reach of children.

andrewNZ

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Reply # 2078091 23-Aug-2018 18:44

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Will they work?
Probably

Are they legal?
No.

Are they safe?
No.

Edit to add:
If your fittings are standard batten holders, it would possibly be reasonably simple to change them to ES holders.

I personally don't like ES fittings, they're usually terrible to get lamps into and out of, and are prone to crapping out due to contacts bending.

Location: Dunedin

richms

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Reply # 2078206 23-Aug-2018 23:00

The thread being neutral thing only applies to some holders.

If it's a batten holders then swap them over to E27 ones. Bunnings have cheap deta ones.

Richard rich.ms

andrewNZ

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Reply # 2078467 24-Aug-2018 12:42

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No it applies to basically all ES holders. ASNZS3000/2007 4.5.1.2

Location: Dunedin

richms

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Reply # 2078504 24-Aug-2018 13:32

Had this discussion over DIY BC plugged in pendant with e14s on the dangly part. 3000 doesn't apply to things not fixed was the outcome and they were fine was told.

Richard rich.ms

kiwijunglist

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Reply # 2078579 24-Aug-2018 14:53

If you are in Wellington i have some you can have for free can pickup in Kingston.

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Morgenmuffel

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Reply # 2082528 1-Sep-2018 18:37

It was more of a case of I have edison bulbs and assumed an adaptor would be a dead cheap thing to get, as for being out of the reach of kids, well they are for the ceiling fittings and the 11yr olds 5'7 so no chance of him reaching it yet

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