yeletah Posted April 13, 2014 Share Posted April 13, 2014 I'm about to use domestic incandescent bulbs to light a performance. I have to make them safe as they will be hung overhead and I've heard it's possible to dip bulbs in silicon. Does anyone know about this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryson Posted April 13, 2014 Share Posted April 13, 2014 What inclines you to think that they are unsafe in their normal condition? If you do have good reason to need them coated (food preparation beneath seems to be the primary reason) I would buy them pre-coated, rather than attempt to do it yourself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yeletah Posted April 13, 2014 Author Share Posted April 13, 2014 They are going to be hung within arms reach of performers who will be handling them, potentially swinging them and so on. For that reason I am looking into the idea of silicon coating them which I believe is a method used to render bulbs shatterproof. Pre-coated does sound less messy. Although I've never seen pre coated domestic bulbs apart from the energy saving variety which flicker when you try to dim them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the kid Posted April 13, 2014 Share Posted April 13, 2014 You can get coated lamps, not sure where from but I know someone who has used them. They are also not going to turn shatter proof, my understanding from them being used is they "stick" the chunks together, so you end up with less splinters, as they are stuck together, but its not shatterproof like a shatterproof ruler. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryson Posted April 13, 2014 Share Posted April 13, 2014 In Canada the pre-coated ones are sold as "Rough Service" - not sure if the naming convention is the same (it doesn't mention coating) but: http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/100w-rough-service-gls-light-bulbs-10-pack-bc-a28kq Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olit Posted April 13, 2014 Share Posted April 13, 2014 Why not give these a try https://www.easy-lightbulbs.com/light-bulbs/halogen-g9-adaptors/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boatman Posted April 13, 2014 Share Posted April 13, 2014 CPC stock a wide variety of rough service lamps. Link Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the kid Posted April 13, 2014 Share Posted April 13, 2014 Why not give these a try https://www.easy-lightbulbs.com/light-bulbs/halogen-g9-adaptors/ Those as lamps are great! I did find that the globes are really fragile, the difference between them and a real lamp seemed to be minimal so it is that super thin glass you expect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
top-cat Posted April 13, 2014 Share Posted April 13, 2014 You can get plastic 'vandal proof' bulbs. We got a load of them for festoon on a festival last year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musht Posted April 13, 2014 Share Posted April 13, 2014 Rough service have more filament supports and lower efficacy, not necessarily coated. Silicon is the hard stuff processors are made on, siliconE is the rubber http://www.colourcover.co.uk/products/gls.html http://www.covershield.co.uk/shatterproofbulb.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timsabre Posted April 14, 2014 Share Posted April 14, 2014 Have a look at www.colourcover.co.uk as suggested above. They are stretchy silicone sleeves which you put over the lamps. I've done festoon lighting for a few festivals where we used these and it made the lamps quite resistant to being broken. Also known as lamp condoms! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin D Posted April 14, 2014 Share Posted April 14, 2014 They are going to be hung within arms reach of performers who will be handling them, potentially swinging them and so on. That'll make an interesting risk assessment especially if they are lit and being swung! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomo Posted April 14, 2014 Share Posted April 14, 2014 They are going to be hung within arms reach of performers who will be handling them, potentially swinging them and so on.Depending on the specifics of the "swinging them" I would suggest that it may be difficult to justify the use of mains-voltage GLS lamps for this. If performers are swinging them around it is quite probable that performers may get burns, one or more lamps will get broken, or the cabling damaged and expose live conductors.Coatings will not prevent any of that. I'd recommend using 12V capsules inside "GLS-like" plastic covers, powered by (dimmable) SELV transformers.That eliminates the risk of electric shock (or even electrocution!), and greatly reduces the risk of burns. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daemon Posted April 14, 2014 Share Posted April 14, 2014 Have you thought about using 12V or 24V lamps ? I always do if they are touchable by any performer. Doesn't help with breakage, but at least I know that it's not going to electrocute someone if it does smash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jivemaster Posted April 14, 2014 Share Posted April 14, 2014 12, 24 and 50v lamps tend to be available from specialist suppliers they can be GLS or Rough Service and are likely found in RS and machine tool supplies catalogues as they are normally used as bench lights and cutting tool lights (Lathes etc) As yours are not to be respected as normal "lamps in fittings" low volts lamps and even plastic housings may be a good idea. Remember however that a low volts halogen lamp will probably run hotter than the same wattage GLS lamp so with reduced risk of electric shock hazard you could get increased risk of burns on contact. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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