3 Pin Low Energy Bulbs BC3 Fittings

petshopgirlemma

I like in a flat an in our hallway only the builders put in 3 pin sockets which fit only these bulbs:

http://www.lightbulbs-ukonline.co.uk/15watt-energy-energy-saver-light-bulbs-3pin-bayone-p-312.html

It's a MEMLIGHT BC3 15W

Anyone know where I can get them cheaper than this price? Cheapest I can find them on eBay is £10. I asked the landlord (rent from the original builders) and go no response.

They are rubbish as well - they fade after a few months of use.

Just found this online! http://architectures.danlockton.co.uk/2008/07/21/how-to-fit-a-normal-bulb-in-a-bc3-fitting/

gibbsy65

Just swap the fitting, they only cost a few pence from somewhere like Screwfix

petshopgirlemma

Is that just the little bit at the end or do I need to rewire the whole thing?

gibbsy65

just the end bit. try http://www.screwfix.com/prods/21495/Electrical-Supplies/Switches-Sockets/White-Moulded/Crabtree-Range/Crabtree-Safety-Pendant-Lampholder

glitter_sunflowergold

no they are so expensive & mine are forever blowing, but they have put them in for energy etc, the landlord will say you can change them but you have to pay.
The shop I get them from is £10.00 but they are so hard to buy.

Dan_Lockton

Hi everyone,

I wrote the 'How to fit a normal bulb in a BC3 fitting' article and also a couple of others investigating the MEMLITE BC3 - this post might also be of interest.

As an occasional lurker on here, I had actually been meaning to bring the whole thing to Martin's attention at some point as a major potential consumer rip-off going on under our collective noses in the name of the environment - my job involves researching ways to help people use products more efficiently, and this sort of strategy, forcing people (often in social housing) to pay over the odds for a strange type of bulb which is no better than any other compact fluorescent but costs ten times the price seems to be just about the worst idea for influencing more sustainable behaviour that I've come across in the UK. All it is going to do is make people resent the 'eco-lobby': it is extracting extra money from hard-pressed consumers while giving us absolutely zero benefit.

The disingenuous propaganda from the manufacturers and suppliers, including the leaflet that is supposed to be left in any new-build home/flat explaining the BC3 system, is very careful to compare the energy costs of the BC3 only to a filament bulb rather than a (much cheaper) standard 2-pin bayonet compact fluorescent, presenting a false dilemma and (by omission) almost implying that the BC3 is the only type of 'low-energy' bulb out there. Certainly, as CFL technology and design improves, the limited range available in the BC3 format makes it even less desirable, yet householders are locked in to what is, fundamentally, a dead-end format. Some of the comments I've received when I've blogged about this show just how frustrated and incredulous people are at being faced with this very odd system in their homes.

Anyway - I'm glad petshopgirlemma brought the subject up here, as it's almost inevitably bound to become a big issue in the next few years...

Cheers
Dan Lockton
(Design with Intent blog)

petshopgirlemma

Thanks all, one of the bulbs was playing up and I've fiddled with the bayonet part to get it going again. Think I'll have a go at changing the fitting when it finally dies.

Dan - great site!

petshopgirlemma

gibbsy65 wrote: »

Just swap the fitting, they only cost a few pence from somewhere like Screwfix

Did this today, best 58p (got it from Asda) I've spent in ages. I nowhave a lovely bright hallway using of course an energy saving bulb. Plus it was really simple to do. Thanks for the encouragement!

Fire_Fox

Just been round a friend's new flat and we were all stumped by the three pin lightbulb that needed replacing ... knew I would find the answer here! Thanks.

dasophster

We just moved into a flat and two of the bulbs had already gone by the time we moved in (its brand new build), I tried to change the bulb only to notice a smug label attached to said light fitting! Unfortunately I don't have a local Asda and screwfix were out of the cheap ones; still I got them for 78p each (not including postage) from somewhere called ryness which isn't too bad, thanks for the tip just proves this eaton company are idiots; they didn't even make their whole fittings incompatible with everything else; just the bulb holders. If they had made the whole ceiling rose, wiring and bulb holder in as weird a fashion as they have the bulbs, then they could have had a real monopoly. Ah well.

granmizz8

Im new on here4 and do have a problem with those 3 pin light bulbs I have read your post and replies and thank you for your help and know now what to do.

Very helpful
thanks
granmizz8:T