2d44d6ab   
   XPost: uk.d-i-y   
   From: mail@michaelhumphrey.me.uk   
      
   On Thu, 07 Oct 2021 08:56:46 +0000, Tim+ wrote:   
   > Martin Brown <'''newspam'''@nonad.co.uk> wrote:   
   >> Old style screw ones had threaded brass at potentially mains voltage.   
   >   
   > Surely not when they were wired is series? In a string of 20 bulbs there   
   > would be at most 240/19 volts (I think).  Or are you suggesting that   
   > this is the case when all the bulbs have gone short circuit?   
      
   With a bulb removed, there's no current flowing and so no voltage drop   
   across the remaining bulbs. One side of the empty holder will be at mains   
   voltage and the other side at zero. In the worst case, you've removed the   
   first bulb and it's connected directly to mains live. In the best case   
   you've removed the last one and it's connected through all 19 other bulbs   
   - but cold unlit bulbs have quite a low resistance so this might not be   
   enough to save you.   
      
   Also even with the string lit, there might only be 12V across each bulb,   
   but the bulbs at the "live" end still have over 200V to earth.   
      
   Mike   
      
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