The fluorescent lighting industry has grown rapidly in the past few decades. More and more industries have begun to phase out incandescent bulbs, and have instead begun using fluorescent lights. As incandescent bulbs have become a thing of the past, a number of companies have begun to sell fluorescent lighting equipment. If you are interested in buying fluorescent bulbs, you will need to know a few things about the different lampholders. There are two main kinds of lampholders that you can choose from: non-shunted and shunted lampholders. Here are a few things that you should know about them:
The Difference
Shunted sockets and lampholders generally have two holes in each unit. Non-shunted variants, on the other hand, have four holes, and can accept a total of four wires per unit. The shunted sockets are generally used with Rapid Start Ballasts. The contacts in the shunted lampholder meet each other directly at the socket, which allows power to be transferred from one contact to another. Obviously, the shunt isn’t clearly visible. In most cases, the shunt remains invisible and is installed inside the lampholder. If you are confused about which type of lampholder you currently have, just take a voltage meter and set it to “continuity.”If the reading is positive, it means that power is flowing between the contacts. This means that the lampholder is shunted.
Non-shunted sockets, in contrast, do not have connecting contacts. The voltage reading will not show a continuity reading when you place it on the lampholder. However, you should know that a non-shunted lampholder may be converted into a shunted variant if you want to use it with LED tubes.
Making a Purchase
If you are interested in buying shunted lampholders, you will need to do your research. There are many local companies that sell shunted and non-shunted lampholders to customers. If you are going to place an order in bulk, it is important that you get quotes from different companies in your vicinity. The lampholders can be used in a variety of different applications. They are generally sold to electrical companies, vending machine companies, OEMs, and even aquarium manufacturing companies.
However, since most of these companies buy their equipment in bulk, it is important that you first ask for a quote regarding all the different components you want. This will give you an idea of whether you are getting the lowest prices or not. Obviously, the biggest companies are able to offer lower prices. However, smaller, family-owned firms might charge a bit more, but the customer service you will get from them is unparalleled. Finally, make sure you test all the holders after you receive them.
