GLS bulbs?

Google is your friend.

Ben,

search for "GLS" brings up both "general purpose lamps" and "energy saving lamps" - I'm none the wiser...

Bert

"general purpose lamps" is what it requires anything below a 100w for standard lamps.

GLS = General Lighting Service

In other words a normal, common or garden light bulb.

"General Light Service"

Just an old-fashioned normal bulb! "General Lighting Service"

A GLS, or General Lighting Service Bulb is just a standard bulb, they are usually ES (Edison Screw or BC (Bayonet Connection) - BC seems to be the most common in the UK.

Sparks...

When using a google a helpful hint is to use the define keyword. Just type define:gls into google and you get the answer.

"Matt Beard" wrote

I think they say this to mean 'don't use energy saving or halogen'.

Dave

Thanks to everyone who responded. Illuminating.

And separate thanks to Mr Fizzion: I didn't know about using "define:" in Google.

Bert

Yes. General Lighting Service. The sort you buy in packs in a supermarket.

It's a term which has been in use for many years.

Many fittings designed for GLS can use either CFLs or mains halogen - provided the wattage rating isn't exceeded (and it can physically fit), as both will run colder than an equivalent GLS.

Well, no-one told me. I'm afraid that to me there are just "light bulbs" - that's the say, the proper kind - and all the new-fangled modern stuff with fancy names. In my poor restricted mind, real light bulbs don't need any name beyond just that: light bulb.

Bert

Of course in some places you can still buy the old heavy bulbs.

That's good news. I thought they were completely obsolete. They used to be very useful for getting the kinks out of the bit of flex that dangles from the ceiling rose.

Bert

Speaking of which, is it still possible to get maroon braided twisted twin flex?

I used to have some of this which had pvc insulation rather than rubber, so the stuff can't be *that* obsolete :-)

Possibly, but not officially for mains use.

Unfortunately twisted twin (or even figure-8) isn't legal any more as mains flexes have to have separate insulation and sheath. Which is a shame as twisted twin was rather useful for 100V loudspeaker connections, as you could pin through the flex at any point.

You could get some maroon single PVC flex from somewhere like RS, take two lengths and a power drill and twist it yourself.

Owain

There are so many types it's surely obvious that they will have designations to differentiate them? And the 'real light bulb' has had many changes throughout its life. Started as vacuum 'filled' carbon filament. But I doubt you'd find one of those these days.

Christopher Wray used to sell it by the metre last time I wanted some (at least the gold/brass coloured version -- not sure about maroon). Cheap, it wasn't.

The current stuff is two sheathed and cotten covered singles, to confirm to current regs.