corroded light bulb

[rosyposy]

Hi, the bulb went last night in our light fitting, but we cannot get the bulb out, the glass bit goes round but the baynot fitting seems to be corroded into the holder. Any suggestions how we can get it out. it has been in years, in fact I cannot ever remember changing the bulb in 12years!! TIA rosy

[redman41]

Make sure the Light Switch is 'Off' and trip the Circuit Breaker if necessary for extra safety.
Pull glass bulb away from holder and using a pair of Pliers turn the Bayonet Cap part
by hand as it should come away no problem.
If there is corrosion then the Light holder fitting will have to be replaced.

[rosyposy]

Thank you Redman for your very prompt reply, but when I went back my husband had already tried your suggestion with no success, the baynet cap refuses to budge! There is a heavy glass shade on a chain too, which makes it difficult to work on, I suppose he will have to cut the cable to get the thing down and replace the lightholder? ( Why does a simple walk turn into a mountain climb?) Thanks again rosy

[redman41]

There is an old Chinese saying 'Many Hands make Light work' :-) Good luck !

[MalcolmY]

Switch off etc, exactly as Redman41 says and remove all the glass. Now put the closed pliers inside the broken bulb and open the pliers so that you are using them in the opposite way to how you would normally use pliers. Push the bayonet in slightly and then try to turn a little way anticlockwise. It worked for me!

[rosyposy]

Thank you too, Malcolm but nope-again would not move! OH has cut the cable now so at least we have the shade off and will have to buy a light holder fitting tomorrow. Thanks again rosy

[Bob906]

Be careful as to what you are doing the PC Brigade at H & S say you have to be a qualified electrician to fit a light holder

[carlton23]

What Bob906 says is true, and if anything goes wrong you will be fined very heavily. It`s getting so`s you can`t break wind nowadays without being accused of atmospheric warming

[rosyposy]

Thank you both for the warnings, I read it is £65 to fit a new light holder fitting, so a lot of people will try to do it themselves! We are still deciding what to do, while sitting in the dark!!! ROFL Thanks again rosy