Lightbulb police? (was RE: Anyone off to VCF-UK)

[Tony Duell]

> It's also possible that some idiot (or kids) would plug in the ballast with

So? In the case of an iron-cored ballast (assuming the connector for the 
tube is non-touchable), there would be no problem at all doing that. I 
doubt there'd be much problem with electronic ballasts, and in any case 
it would be trivial to provide some kind of interlock (like an extra 2 
pins on the tube connector, bridged inside the tube module, and with the 
contacts in the balast wired in series with the mains supply)

> no tube at all! Maybe even stick some wire or something into it that
> shouldn't be there. Either way, I'm sure the HSE wouldn't like it here in

It always amazes me that the common ES and BC lampholders are still 
allowed. They have accessible live parts if a bulb is not fitted (yes, 
some of the better ones do have interlocks, but they are not common).

> the UK. As an employee, I am not allowed to change fuses at work or do
> anything with our machines unless we have been trained by the appropriate
> engineer first.

I think my views on the HSE are well-known by now...

-tony