Making a light fitting for an American customer, or repairing a fitting originally made for the USA?
The lampholder is one of the parts you'll need to check carefully. American lighting commonly uses different bulb caps, mounting arrangements and electrical specifications from those found in the UK.
Lampfix stocks specialist USA-market lampholders, including E12 and E26 versions. Here's what to check when choosing the right part.
E12 or E26 — what's the difference?
The first thing to establish is the bulb fitting.
E12 (Candelabra Edison Screw) is a small screw fitting, commonly used in decorative lighting, chandeliers and wall lights.
E26 (Medium Edison Screw) is the larger screw fitting commonly found in American table lamps and other lighting.
These are not the same as the E14 and E27 fittings commonly used in the UK.
Don't choose a lampholder simply because the bulb looks approximately the right size. Confirm the required lamp cap and the electrical rating of the intended components.
Check the mounting thread
The thread used to mount the lampholder is separate from the thread that accepts the bulb.
Several of our USA E12 and E26 lampholders have a 10mm threaded mounting entry, making them useful for certain lighting assemblies made using metric components.
Other models, including our E12 candle lampholder, use an American ⅛-inch IP mounting thread.
These are different thread systems. Check the actual mounting arrangement and thread specification before choosing a replacement or adaptor.
Do you need to fit a lampshade?
Not every USA lampholder is designed to support a shade.
A smooth-skirt lampholder is generally intended for applications where a shade doesn't attach directly to the lampholder.
A threaded-skirt version may accommodate suitable shade-fixing components, depending on its construction.
One particularly useful arrangement in our range uses the 05152 threaded skirt adaptor with our 05732 or 05418 E26 lampholders.
This allows compatible shades to be fitted using our 05587 ES shade rings, which are supplied separately.
For British lighting makers working with American bulb fittings, this can provide a practical way to retain a familiar shade-fixing arrangement while using an E26 lampholder.
Always check the shade opening, adaptor, retaining rings and mechanical support before ordering.
USA lampholders available from Lampfix
Our range includes several specialist options.
E12 lampholders
06187 — E12 10mm lampholder with threaded skirt and shoulder.
06189 — White plastic E12 10mm lampholder with smooth skirt.
06724 — Brass E12 10mm lampholder with threaded skirt.
06725 — Brass E12 10mm lampholder with smooth skirt.
05994 — E12 candle lampholder with ⅛-inch IP mounting thread.
E26 lampholders
05732 / 05418 — E26 10mm lampholders with part-threaded skirt, available in brass and nickel finishes.
05641 — Brass E26 10mm lampholder with smooth skirt.
05152 — Threaded skirt attachment for compatible E26 lampholders, used with suitable shade rings.
Check the individual product pages for current dimensions, variants, ratings and availability.
What does UL certification mean?
If you're making lighting for the American market, you may be asked whether the components or completed light fitting have UL certification.
UL Solutions is one of the organisations providing product safety certification for the US market. Other recognised testing and certification bodies also operate there.
An important distinction is between certification of a component and approval of the finished light fitting.
For example, a lampholder may have a documented certification or component recognition for a particular application. That does not automatically mean a complete table lamp or chandelier assembled using it is certified.
Certification claims should be checked against the exact manufacturer's product identification, marking, applicable standard and supporting certification record.
If you're making finished lighting for the USA, establish the electrical and product-approval requirements that apply to your particular design and destination before manufacturing or shipping.
Lampfix can help identify components, but we cannot certify a customer's completed light fitting.
Don't forget the wiring and grounding arrangements
American lighting commonly operates from a 120V, 60Hz supply, although requirements vary by application.
Using an E12 or E26 lampholder doesn't by itself establish that the complete fitting is suitable for the USA.
The cable, connections, switching, mounting and any necessary protective grounding must also be considered.
American lighting uses both two-conductor and grounded three-conductor arrangements. Which is appropriate depends on the construction of the complete fitting.
In particular, a metal light fitting should not be assumed safe without considering the grounding requirements of its design.
Electrical design, assembly and testing should be undertaken by suitably competent people, with any required US certification or local approval addressed separately.
Need help finding the right USA lampholder?
If you're trying to match an existing American lampholder or adapt a lighting design for an American customer, we can help you identify the relevant components.
Send us the existing part number if available, or a photograph showing the lampholder, mounting arrangement and any shade-fixing details.
We can help identify a suitable part from our range or suggest a practical alternative where appropriate.