How To Look At A House
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Are bare-bulb light fixtures (lamp holders) legal by code?
Saturday, October 2, 2021
They are called lamp holders because “lamp” is an antiquated term for a light bulb and “holder” is the socket base that the light bulb screws into. Lamp holders were once porcelain and now often plastic.They are still code-approved, but with a couple of limitations: lamp holders are not rated for exterior use, and not allowed in closets. The exposed surface of the light bulb can start a fire if it comes in contract with a stored item in the closet.
Yes, we know that a lamp holder in the ceiling of the closet is common in older houses, but they are no longer allowed in new construction. To find out how to make your old bare-bulb closet ceiling light safe, go to our article Is a bare bulb light in a closet alright?
To learn more, go to our articles What are the code requirements for light fixtures in a closet? and What is a keyless light fixture or lamp holder?
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Here’s links to a collection of our other blog posts about ELECTRICAL WIRING AND APPLIANCES:
• Which house appliances need a dedicated electrical circuit?
• Can a short circuit cause a high electric bill?
• What is the maximum spacing requirement for securing NM-cable (nonmetallic-sheathed cable)?
• Is it alright to just put wire nuts on the end of unused or abandoned NM-cable or wiring?
• What causes copper wires to turn green or black in an electric panel?
• What are typical aluminum service entrance wire/cable sizes for the electrical service to a house?
• Why is it unsafe to bond neutral and ground wiring at subpanels?
• Should I get a lightning rod system to protect my house?
• Why is a strain relief clamp necessary for the cord connection to some electric appliances?
• Does a wire nut connection need to be wrapped with electrical tape?
• What is the minimum clearance of overhead electric service drop wires above a house roof?
• What are the requirements for NM-cables entering an electric panel box?
• What is the color code for NM cable (Romex®) sheathing?
• Why are old electrical components not always "grandfathered" as acceptable by home inspectors?
• How can I find out the size of the electric service to a house?
• Can old electrical wiring go bad inside a wall?
• What is an open electrical splice?
• What are the most common electrical defects found in a home inspection?
• What is the life expectancy of electrical wiring in a house?
• What is an "open junction box"?
• How dangerous is old electrical wiring?
• I heard that aluminum wiring is bad. How do you check for aluminum wiring?
• What is "knob and tube" wiring? 
• What is the code requirement for receptacle outlets in a closet?
Visit our ELECTRICAL page for other related blog posts on this subject, or go to the INDEX for a complete listing of all our articles.
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