Light Bulb Socket Troubleshooting,How to select the correct socket?The following scenario happens all too often: someone has a light fixture with an incandescent light bulb. After many months of service the bulb burns out. The bulb is replaced, but the fixture still is not working. The bulb is checked in another fixture to make sure it works, and the connections are examined to see if there isn't a break in the line. All seems to be ok. Sound familiar? So what is happening?
Part of the problem are the many cheaply made light sockets found here in Israel. Some have a thread that doesn't seem to fit the bulbs, making them hard to screw in. This in itself can cause the bulb not to make good contact, causing it to flicker or not work at all. This can also cause the bulb to burn out prematurely. Many sockets don't have a spring under the bottom tab to help with the contact to the bulb.
Never-the-less, I still find that the #1 cause for the above scenario is to be found further inside the bulb socket. The bulb needs to make contact at two points in order for it to work (see fig 1)- at the end (nipple) and on the threads of the bulb. Sometimes the "nipple" on one bulb is slightly bigger than the next. So when a bulb burns out and is replaced, the second bulb doesn't quite make the connection because the first bulb pushed the metal tab too far in (partly due to the bad design of the
bulb socket).
Lamp holder Materials,Interior Screw Shell:
Aluminum: Aluminum is the most common and cost effective material for the socket interior.
Copper: Copper is an alternative to Aluminum where the fixture is exposed to weather. Porch fixtures should use sockets with copper screw shell and porcelain body.
Exterior Cap and Shell:
Brass: Brass is the most common materials in a socket shell. There are different finishes in the brass shell like; polished (shiny), antique, and unfinished
Brass plated: Brass plated shells are similar to the brass shells in appearance with a cheaper price. A brass plated shell comes with similar finishes to the solid brass shell.
Nickel plated: Shiny silver finish.
Bakelite/Phenolic: These socket shells are thick black plastic and are typically found in less expensive lighting where the sockets are hidden by the lamp body.
Porcelain lamp holder : The most durable and long lasting shell, porcelain is more heat and weather resistant than any other shell type. Where the light is outside or hangs with a bulb facing down, a porcelain socket is highly recommended.
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