regular LED medium base light bulb in a 3-way socket.Can this be done?

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bio mass

Member
Location
Ontario
Occupation
Building Industry
Hello,
I'm having trouble finding good 3-way LEDs in my three-way lamp. the lamp is in the maximum setting ( third) all the time. We only shut off the light using a light switch on the wall. Meaning we never turn the light on at the socket.

I want to use a regular 150 W LED if I can find it. But I don't know if this is safe or recommended

does anyone know?
 
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Hv&Lv

Senior Member
Location
-
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Engineer/Technician
A 150W equivalent LED bulb is only ~20W.
here are some three setting and the last one is lots of Amazon lights.





www.homedepot.com

EcoSmart 50/100/150-Watt Equivalent A21 Energy Star 3-Way LED Light Bulb Soft White (1-pack) FG-04258 - The Home Depot

The EcoSmart 50/100/150-Watt Equivalent A21 Energy Star 3-Way LED Light Bulb Soft White is a stylish replacement for traditional incandescent bulbs with all the benefits of LED technology. The color temperature
www.homedepot.com



 
LarryFine

LarryFine

Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
Location
Henrico County, VA
Occupation
Electrical Contractor
A regular bulb will work in a 3-way socket with no problem.

As for bulbs:

www.homedepot.com

Philips 50-Watt/100-Watt/150-Watt Equivalent A21 Energy Saving 3-Way LED Light Bulb in Soft White (2700K) (1-Pack) 556936 - The Home Depot

Philips Energy Saving LED 18.5-Watt A21 light bulb is ideal for use in kitchens, living rooms and dining rooms. This 3-way light changes from 50-Watt to 100-Watt to 150-Watt. It is ideal for use in all
www.homedepot.com

www.homedepot.com

Philips 150-Watt Equivalent A21 Dimmable Energy Saving LED Light Bulb Daylight (5000K) (1-Pack) 558239 - The Home Depot

This Philips 29-Watt LED A21 household light bulb is the perfect replacement for anywhere traditional light bulbs are used, such as table or floor lamps. This 29-Watt 5000K LED A21 provides a light similar
www.homedepot.com

www.homedepot.com

Feit Electric 300-Watt Equivalent Oversized High Lumen Daylight (5000K) HID Utility LED Light Bulb (1-Bulb) T100/4000/5K/LEDHDRP - The Home Depot

This T100/4000/5K/LEDHDRP E26 (medium) base LED light bulb from Feit Electric provides maximum illumination for large rooms, yards, or anywhere you need more light. LED technology puts out and ultra-bright
www.homedepot.com
 
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bio mass

Member
Location
Ontario
Occupation
Building Industry
Dennis Alwon said:
Why spend the money on a 3 way bulb if you don't use it. A standard bulb will work and is much cheaper.
Click to expand...
Good point. The reason why I don't like the three-way, is that they are directional. I have a lamp beside a sofa and people read when sitting beside it. When the light is pointed up, it doesn't work so well.

I would use a 3-way filament LED, but I can't seem to find one anymore. Let alone shipping it to Canada. The 150 W filament seems to be easier to find.
 
LarryFine

LarryFine

Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
Location
Henrico County, VA
Occupation
Electrical Contractor
bio mass said:
Good point. The reason why I don't like the three-way, is that they are directional. I have a lamp beside a sofa and people read when sitting beside it. When the light is pointed up, it doesn't work so well.

I would use a 3-way filament LED, but I can't seem to find one anymore. Let alone shipping it to Canada. The 150 W filament seems to be easier to find.
Click to expand...
You can't get the first one I inked to where you are? Heck, I'll buy a couple and mail them to you if you like.
 
LarryFine

LarryFine

Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
Location
Henrico County, VA
Occupation
Electrical Contractor
I don't know where you are in Ontario, but look at what I found:
https://www.homedepot.ca/product/philips-philips-3-way-50w-100w-150w-soft-white/1001015360

14in Stock at Niagara Falls|Aisle 4, Bay 009
33in Stock atSt. Catharines|Aisle 8, Bay 011
3in Stock atHamilton Mountain|Aisle 5, Bay 011
20in Stock atHamilton|Aisle 5, Bay 012
61in Stock atBurlington|Aisle 8, Bay 013
23in Stock atOakville Burloak|Aisle 4, Bay 009
31in Stock atTrafalgar Village|Aisle 5, Bay 011
10in Stock atMississauga South|Aisle 8, Bay 012
6in Stock atMississauga Britannia|Aisle 5, Bay 013
24in Stock atMississauga West|Aisle 4, Bay 010
 
Flicker Index

Flicker Index

Senior Member
Location
Pac NW
Occupation
Lights
A 3 way socket has a second hot pin that touches along a wider part of the center button. The low setting simply causes the light to not turn on and medium and high will be just "on". It will be off, off, on, on. instead of off, A, B, A+B.

Your best bet is probably a 100 or 150 watt equivalent regular light bulb "look alike". If you look at the clear glass version of those, you will find LED rods suspended in the middle as if they're filaments. If you get the frosted version, it is visually indistinguishable from the old school light bulb. Those are gas cooled LED bulbs. The bulb is filled with a helium or hydrogen blend (don't worry.. it's not a flammable blend) instead of relying on thermally bonded heatsink.

Those are preferred over the more common bulbs, because the light distribution is more similar to a regular light bulb.
 
N

norcal

Senior Member
If you use a standard medium base lamp in a 3-way lampholder, one turn will not do anything if someone turns the knob, since the OP says they use a wall switch it really does not matter, use a standard lamp & save money.
 
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