I have some horizontal flourescent light fixtures that have sockets to
accept horizontal bulbs with 2 pins at each end. in trying to replace
the bulbs, the bulb pins are stuck in the sockets.

would it be useful, and also safe, to spray wd-40 into the sockets
before inserting the bulbs?

best, Aaron

Head to your local auto supply place and get some of te dielectric
grease(white sff in a smal tube or a vinyl pouch) that is used for spark
plug boots and bulb connections in cars. One tube will last you forever,
its a good lubricant and conductor.

Remember that WD 40 is essentially kerosene with perfumes. Eventually it
will gum up, attract dirt and dust, and possibly interfere with good
electrical contact.

--
Jim McLaughlin

Reply address is deliberately munged.
If you really need to reply directly, try:
jimdotmclaughlinatcomcastdotcom

And you know it is a dotnet not a dotcom
address.
wrote in message
oups.com...
I have some horizontal flourescent light fixtures that have sockets to
accept horizontal bulbs with 2 pins at each end. in trying to replace
the bulbs, the bulb pins are stuck in the sockets.

would it be useful, and also safe, to spray wd-40 into the sockets
before inserting the bulbs?

best, Aaron

wrote:
I have some horizontal flourescent light fixtures that have sockets to
accept horizontal bulbs with 2 pins at each end. in trying to
replace the bulbs, the bulb pins are stuck in the sockets.

would it be useful, and also safe, to spray wd-40 into the sockets
before inserting the bulbs?

best, Aaron

Not WD-40 (WD=Water Displacement). Use a dielectric grease. You can
find small qualities at an auto parts store. It is cheap enough.

--
Joseph Meehan

Dia duit

dear Jim & Joseph: thank you for your quick replies. I have gone
ahead & purchased the DIELECTRIC product from Autozone. $3.95 for a
small tube. Pep Boys had it only in the larger size for $9.00.
best, Aaron

************************************************** ***************
Joseph Meehan wrote:
wrote:
I have some horizontal flourescent light fixtures that have sockets to
accept horizontal bulbs with 2 pins at each end. in trying to
replace the bulbs, the bulb pins are stuck in the sockets.

would it be useful, and also safe, to spray wd-40 into the sockets
before inserting the bulbs?

best, Aaron

Not WD-40 (WD=Water Displacement). Use a dielectric grease. You can
find small qualities at an auto parts store. It is cheap enough.

--
Joseph Meehan

Dia duit

Jim McLaughlin wrote:
One tube will last you forever,
its a good lubricant and conductor.

Conductor of heat but an insulator electrically.

Steve Kraus wrote:
Jim McLaughlin wrote:

One tube will last you forever,
its a good lubricant and conductor.


Conductor of heat but an insulator electrically.

Yes, and perfect for the described use.

wrote:

I have some horizontal flourescent light fixtures that have sockets to
accept horizontal bulbs with 2 pins at each end. in trying to
replace the bulbs, the bulb pins are stuck in the sockets.

would it be useful, and also safe, to spray wd-40 into the sockets
before inserting the bulbs?

It's OK, but generally it's safer to use silicone-based lubes around
plastics since mineral oils will damage some types, such as vinyl
(PVC). Here's a web site that can tell you which chemicals are
compatible with various materials:

www.coleparmer.com/techinfo/ChemComp.asp

Any dielectric (electrically insulating) characteristic of the oil or
grease doesn't hurt electrical conduction in this application since the
metal pierces through the film. This is why it's perfectly acceptable
to apply grease to car battery terminals before installing the clamps
to them.