I have a bayonet light bulb that wont go in.

[Zeepoo]

Hello im not a specialist but basically i tried to switch my lightbulb and change the lamp shade but now it wont go in. I touched one of the metal thingys inside and it zapped my finger like one of those pens. I have a picture of what it looks like

 

[pc1966]

Well the fact you are alive to report it is a good sign, and hopefully you now know to NEVER insert fingers it not electrical apparatus without first switching off the power and then verifying that it is safely off! Even if the shock to a limited part of your body does not cause serious harm, falling off a ladder/chair as a result can cause really serious injuries.

A photo of the inside of the socket might help. If it is our typical bayonet B22 fitting then sometimes one of the spring-loaded pins gets stuck (or damaged/bent sideways) and stops the lamp going in OK.

Often that means replacing the fitting and you might be best advised to get an electrician in for that, but a decent photo will help us advise you.

 

[James]

As above a picture would be great, sometimes the lamp (bulb) breaks when being removed, leaving just the shell stuck in the fitting.

 

[littlespark]

Any more poking about, you should turn off all the power to the house.

(I’d say just isolate that one circuit, but I don’t think you have any test equipment other than your finger)

Likely damage are:
As above, one of the pins is stuck
As above, lamp broken and base is still stuck in fitting
Plastic has heated up, become brittle and broken so the side pins of the lamp don’t hold. (Newer lamp holders are metal)

 

[Zeepoo]

Well the fact you are alive to report it is a good sign, and hopefully you now know to NEVER insert fingers it not electrical apparatus without first switching off the power and then verifying that it is safely off! Even if the shock to a limited part of your body does not cause serious harm, falling off a ladder/chair as a result can cause really serious injuries.

A photo of the inside of the socket might help. If it is our typical bayonet B22 fitting then sometimes one of the spring-loaded pins gets stuck (or damaged/bent sideways) and stops the lamp going in OK.

Often that means replacing the fitting and you might be best advised to get an electrician in for that, but a decent photo will help us advise you.

Hi, I fixed it you were right it was stuck i used a skinny chopstick to turn it and it made a clicky sound round the other way and now it works and yeah ill be more careful next time thank you for the helppp. I think its quite old and probably needs to be replaced i dont think its ever been replaced my whole life ive lived here thankssss it was the plastic thingy that wasnt letting my lightbulb go back in