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I bought a European chandelier not knowing there were light bulb size differences. I ordered 12 European to Candelabra Reducers (E14 to E12). I was so happy when I received them, and couldn't wait to install them on my new candelabra. I installed all 12 bulbs and reducers, but to my surprise only 2 really light up and the other 10 only glow.

Can you help me and tell me what's wrong and what I need to do?

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If you swap around the bulbs, does the problem track with the adapters or with the bulbs? – Niall C. Aug 29 '12 at 21:24
i'm thinking with the bulbs,not sure because i swaped both the adapters then the bulbs and still the same result – Maria Perez Aug 30 '12 at 0:39
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What is the voltage rating of the bulbs? European bulbs are designed to be at full brightness at 220 volts, American standard is 120VAC. If you are using 120 volt bulbs in the adapters they should work. – shirlock homes Aug 30 '12 at 9:40
that's exactly what they are, the bulbs are 120V – Maria Perez Aug 30 '12 at 13:05
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There may be something about the physical configuration of the bulbs, adapters, and chandelier sockets that is preventing a positive electrical contact inside the socket, typically the center hot terminal. This problem sometimes occurs with compact fluorescent bulbs placed in old fixtures. The ceramic or cardboard tube of the socket extends too far up and contacts the bevel of the bulb base. Sometimes firmly (and carefully) screwing the bulb tighter is enough to make contact. Other times it's hopeless, one needs to find a different bulb configuration. – bcworkz Sep 15 '12 at 2:51
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2 Answers

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Here several things you should know:

1st - what is phase wire ? do you switch it by wall switc (you need phase tester to find out) your switch should switch the phase wire (not null)

2nd such Cadelabra often have a possibility to switch only one set of lights, so you should make sure, if you have single switch, you connected together all switch wires. (should left only two wires - null and phase)

are your bulbs vacuum, neon or diod ?

this is phase indicator it should not light near the bulb places if you switch Candelabra off. phase indicator,

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240 volts is European standard 120 is U S So, if a bulb glows brightly at 240 volts and is 60 watts, then changes in U S It is due to the voltage. 240 volt 60 watt 120 volt 30 watt See the pattern? Your other two that glow brighter? More than likely higher wattage than the rest. Hope this helps.

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This doesn't answer the question. – ChrisF♦ Jan 13 at 13:06
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Your math is wrong: the power used is proportional to the square of the voltage, so a European bulb used in the US would emit about 1/4 of the light, not 1/2. – Niall C. Jan 13 at 14:40
@NiallC. Not to be too pedantic, but at 1/2 the voltage a bulb would use 1/4 the power. Actual light output for an incandescent bulb is likely to be less than 1/4, since bulbs don't have a linear relationship between power and light output. – Henry Jackson Feb 12 at 0:28

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