quality of China made electrical fixtures

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As for the third time in about a year I have had to replace the light bulb sockets in my desk lamps, there are different styles and types, the only thing that they have in common is the words "made in China". Is there a source of American made fixtures available anywhere out there? What brand name? Mail order maybe?

-- mitch hearn (moopups@citlink.net), September 19, 2001

Answers

Is it possible that you're using bulbs more powerful than the lamps are rated for? Most desk lamps here are only rated for 40 watts, and if more is used the extra heat just bakes the plastic in the light fittings, and it gets brittle. Personally I've given up using incandescent bulbs in anything I keep on for long periods - I use the bulb-sized fluorescent lights that use low power to produce a lot of light. They cost more to buy, but use a lot less energy, so their running costs are lower. My desk lamp is an older-style fluorescent tube, and these days you can inexpensive thin super-bright plug-in fluorescent lights that you make a permanent fixture - e.g. under an overhanging shelf.

-- Don Armstrong (from Australia) (darmst@yahoo.com.au), September 19, 2001.

I agree with Don on the overrated bulbs for the fixture. Being a former electrician I have seen a lot fire and safety hazards due to this. If you need more wattage you might could replace it with a three-way lamp socket that is rated for higher wattages. As for finding American made, good luck!

-- r.h. in okla. (rhays@sstelco.com), September 20, 2001.

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