The current market for light-emitting diode (LED) lamps is continuing to grow. It has been fueled by several factors including an energy-concerned public. LEDs offer significant energy savings as well as longer life span. The result has almost mean a growing interest in various components, including LED lampholders.
LEDs: Usage Continues to Rise
The first LED lights were created in the 1960s. Their use was as limited as their wattage options. It was not until in the 1990s that commercially available LEDs could produce significant brightness to impress the public enough to consider switching from conventional and/or fluorescent lighting. At that point, they glowed blue. Today, you can also purchase them in white.
The invention of the “white” LED marked an increased interest in using lights that were energy-efficient and lasted longer. Although initially avoided by many as being too expensive, the continued movement towards LEDs has resulted in increased production. In turn, this has resulted in a decrease in cost that is more than enough to make the lights cost-effective purchases. This has become linked to an unofficial phasing out of other lighting formats to further increase the market share and production levels, while decreasing the costs further.
LED Lampholders: Making the Right Switch
With a further increase in the availability of LEDs, comes the need to provide the right parts. Without such components as LED lampholders, the change from one format is irrelevant and not sustainable. In the case of switching from one format of lighting to another, it is extremely important to know the current type of lamp holder or socket. In particular, it is essential to know whether the socket or lampholder containing the current lightbulb is shunted or non-shunted.
Shunted Lamp Holder
Shunted lamp holders are connected or joined. They feature continuity across the contacts. The sockets are usually connected to the electrical circuits internally. As a result, the electrical current can freely flow directly from the ballast to the lamp’s pins. These are commonly found for fluorescent lamps.
Non-Shunted Lamp Holder
Non-shunted lamp holders have no continuity across the contacts. They have separate, not joined or connected electrical contacts. The electrical current has not a single route but two to travel to the pins. Non-shunted lampholders can use LED tubes.
While the type of lamp holder may seem unimportant, it is not. Not all light bulbs are compatible with the different shunted sockets. If, for example, an LED light is placed into a shunted socket, the result could be a dead short. This will blacken the socket and damage the bulb/tube. Worst-case scenario – if you combine the wrong bulb with the right LED lampholders, you could create an electrical fire.