In article ,
Allodoxaphobia wrote:
Actually 40W tubes are legal at the moment, but only in the premium
phosphors, not the old halophosphate stuff (CW, WW, etc) though far
less efficient incandescent stuff has regulations at all thanks to the
usual beaurocratic nonsense that makes up our largely useless energy
laws. The

I never did understand this law. Won't people just end up using more
bulbs to make up for their lower light output? Andy Cuffe

'Tis what happens when folks that believe in "Intelligent Design" help
make laws. See also: Low flush toilets that require 2-3-4 cycles to
clear all "solids".

Knee jerk reactions by politicians to 'public outcry'. Or more likely the
sensationalist press. "Something *must* be done" And trade organisations
looking after their member's interests or trying to increase their
subscription income by making it compulsory. Leading to poorly thought out
legislation.

In the UK, it's now just about illegal to add an extra socket to an
existing domestic installation. Despite this being well within the
capability of a decent DIYer, since the UK ring main power circuits don't
restrict the total number of outlets. And there being little evidence of
such DIY work being dangerous. What has been shown to be dangerous is the
use of overloaded extension leads etc - fire risk, and also the chance of
tripping over them. And perfectly competent jobbing electricians who would
do such work for a reasonable price are being pushed out of the market by
the high cost of registration etc.

--
*If you must choose between two evils, pick the one you've never tried before

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.