Bulkheads in Collection
The bulkheads I have are displayed below in the order in which I received them.
For easier viewing, I've linked their names to a description.
Philips XWC 121 KP (NEW)
70W SON-E
This bulkhead is unused, however the Wallpackette fittings are very common as security lights and even for general street lighting where particularly narrow roads mean that regular lanterns cannot be installed. Surprisingly, I have seen more mercury examples than SON ones - maybe Holophane had trouble fitting ignitors to these in the past and didn't want to use internal-ignitor lamps.
70W SON-E (I)
From the high-quality Wallpackette to a somewhat more budget offering now. In fact, this fitting is probably more designed for the domestic market due to its simple construction and wiring. Having said that, the fitting sees considerable use in Derby thanks to the City's Magistrates' Court having several installed on the outside of its building.
18W SOX
Bringing back the quality balance now comes this unused offering from GEC. The '18' designation in the bulkhead's name is due to GEC also marketing a 10W example for a brief period. The 18w fitting continued to be made by WRTL for a time; however it has sadly now been discontinued. Examples of any version are rare in this area - examples do exist but most have quite yellowed diffusers these days.
Installation and Operating Instructions
Catalogue Entry from Marwood Electrical
16W 2D
Another unused bulkhead here - bought primarily as a test unit for my coloured 16W tubes. The CPS 16 is based on the classic circular bulkhead design made by Coughtrie from the 1960s onwards. The design has changed little since then - and the fittings are still made in Glasgow.
Installation and Operating Instructions
18W SOX
Another popular SOX bulkhead, the Robust was one of Crompton's 'famous' designs. It could either be used with SOX or fluorescent lamps and had the option of having a clear or opal bowl. This example features the former type.
Thorn Escort Fluorescent
2x 8W MCF
This small bulkhead was one of several fittings which made up Thorn's 'Escort' family - the others being the 'Escort Tungsten', 'Escort Wellglass' and 'Escort Patio'. Whilst it is no longer made, the design remains popular and has been adopted by other manufacturers over time.
11W PL-S
This bulkhead is commonly seen on the outsides of both domestic and commercial buildings - its popularity presumably stemming from the simple construction and wiring. The design can be ordered with or without a minicell fitted - making it useful in areas where automatic switching is required.
100W GLS
Whereas minicells hadn't even been invented when this bulkhead was made! This very industrial-looking fitting dates from 1973 according to an etch on the bowl - making it the oldest unit in the collection to date. However, as with the majority of the other bulkheads in collection, it has never been used. Whilst the design is similar to the Coughtrie fitting, the actual diameter of this unit is much smaller.
2x 4W MCF
This bulkhead is often used in the domestic situation and in these cases is usually fitted with a tungsten lamp. The fluorescent version is seemingly quite rare but is used in various places, especially when energy costs are a consideration. 7W and 9W PL-S versions are also available.
8W MCF
This bulkhead bears more than a passing resemblance to the Escort, although this version is the 'Emergency' version, and has a built-in battery back-up to allow the lamp to keep running in the event of mains power failure. Whilst the bulkhead is virtually new and unused, it has been in storage for some time as a date on the battery pack gives 1993 as a year of manufacture.
18W SOX
Inbuilt Photocell
This is yet another brand new bulkhead and happily is another to run a SOX lamp. I have never seen this design of bulkhead in use but I would think that it is intended to be used to provide a greater degree of 'down' light due to the positioning of the lamp.
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© 2002-2008 Mike Barford