@@Alacritousthe weird thing is that now that we discovered we could put plugs in the wall, we kinda don't use those adapters anymore... Sure in a pinch they work, but most countries ask for less power in the lighting circuit which means you can overload the circuit if you plug a big load. Also, even if you don't overload the circuit, you will probably overload the plug as they're made expecting loads of less than 150/200W. Even if you're not overloading anything, those plugs have no ground, so they're risky to use. It's not gonna kill you instantly, but your friendly neighborhood inspector is not gonna be happy if they see you using it
I used to live in staff accommodation in a hotel. They would turn off the power sockets at 10PM every night to prevent gatherings/parties, so we hooked up an extension to the light socket. That socket adapter would have been very handy. 😆
@@zaks7it's super easy to open and replace the 18650 inside. I agree the battery that it ships with is trash, but with a reputable 18650 it lasts a lot longer. The battery it has inside isn't even soldered so it's not very hard to switch at all.
@@kokoeblighatian3631thanks. I already two multimeter so this option is better for me. Also higher speed while being cheaper. But I found non C2 version. Can someone let me know the differences?
Some time ago I had my gas water heater replaced, and in the toolbox of one of the workers, was a homemade bulb to socket adapter, made from soviet-era parts. When I asked him about it, he explained that he also does roof and attic repairs, and in my area, It's uncommon to have sockets in attic, but we usually have lights so he used it for some low power stuff
Had a similar case in a garage not having sockets, but a lamp. Being able to use like a small vacuum cleaner there was a game changer, using an old one. It also had lamp passthrough. Never left unattended though.
I've seen the same thing used to power outside christmas lights off an outside light fixture when there wasn't an outside receptacle close by, and bonus no need to unplug to turn them off, just use the switch :P
You can use battery internal resistance meters to measure any resistance; they are very accurate, up to 0.001 mOhms being a battery or not. And there are plenty on aliexpress
Came here to say the same thing. I use RC3563. You can also measure capacitor ESR. However, both ESR and internal resistance measurements aren't as accurate as measuring under load.
I use one in my storage locker where there is a light and not available outlets. Replaced the bulb with an LED and then ran an extension cable to charge only a few lead acid batteries on trickle chargers around 400mA total
If you have trouble reading small writing, a bright torch does wonders. The bright light shrinks your pupil, and that focuses your eye because the light beams converge at a single point. Looking through a pinhole does the same thing.
7:10 Kincony started doing this as a hobby and then started selling the electronic boards he designed for himself. Since he designs primarily for his own use, he uses high quality materials.
3:53 Where you using high speed mode? That steps up the frequency ceiling but at a cost of battery longevity. This scope has opened up a whole new world for me, as someone returning to the hobby on an extremely tight budget. Addendum: I would love to see you do a tutorial on scopes like this for the beginner because I really appreciate your teaching style. Back in the 80s when I started, oscilloscopes where far outside my reach. And now that I'm returning to the hobby, I am learning to use them from scratch.
At the beginning of electrification, homes often only had electric lighting, but over time various electrical devices began to appear, such as radios, record players, irons, and vacuum cleaners, so out of need, splitters appeared that allowed for connecting not only a light bulb but also, for example, 2 other devices.
Those socket to outlet adapters are used a lot here in the US as an easy and cheap way to use LED shoplights in places where there are keyless bases, like garages or basements. You take the old, dim bulb out, screw that in, and plug in a higher output shoplight instead.
You used to even be able to get ones that had power outlets on the side and an E26 socket on the bottom, so you could plug something in and keep the light bulb. Those were a bit sketchier in the days of incandescent bulbs, because you ended up cooking whatever you plugged into them, but they existed.
Exactly what I use one for. Instead of one bulb illuminating the garage when I open the door to pull in I have daisy chained LED shop lights gloriously showing me the way.
5:30 older days In my country, most public dormitories has socket ban for several reasons (Students uses dangerous materials or casual devices like kettle in dangerous ways or it is believed that telephones distract them and drops the succession rate among students) at those times, we were harvesting electricity from those light bulbs (ofc in dangerous way that most of the time there is open live wires). So this product was safer way to do that. I appreciated :)
Using light fittings as a socket was a life saver many times when travelling in India, where a lot of the cheaper hotel rooms have no sockets at all. The only way to recharge batteries.
Well it’s fine if you don’t pull too much current but realistically it’s not a good idea. Light circuits only have 6 amp fuses and are usually 1 or 1.5mm twin and cpc.
@@AK90I have one and it’s the greatest thing since sliced bread. I like to travel as light as possible to jobs and mainly only need a multimeter but a situation comes up every now and then where an oscilloscope is useful and this meter just makes that simple. Just the fact that it’s USB C rechargeable already makes it better than my regular multimeters.
@@r7boatguyI've used one on cars quite a few times now. Perfect for cam/crank signals, CANBUS, wheel speed sensors. Got mine on temu for £25 as introductory offer. Bought it with a burner email so I don't get spammed.
Socket adapters are very useful when you have work to do in unknown place, where you often have trouble to get access to wall sockets, but light fixtures are on the outside.
Oh wow what a channel, what a series! I can now enjoy my favourite past time, exploring weird aliexpress things, without turning my home into a junkyard at my own expense.
You could get a YR1030 / 1035 - Its meant for measuring the internal resistance of Batteries and can go down to 0.01 mOhm but its perfectly fine for measuring any resistance ofc.
Don't knock that light socket adapter, we used to use something similar with Y bulb socket adapters they even had independent switches in the Y adapters
I think a better solution for the last use case would be to get a boom arm for your microscope. Then you can keep it set up and out of the way when not in use and easily reposition when doing something quick like reading IC markings.
For the microscope, you can often try and rotate the tiny lens with pliers to change the focus. Mind you that this doesn't always work, it depends a bit on how well the lens is secured with glue, but so far I've always been able to adjust the focus on my Pi lenses that were also glued in place.
@greatscottlab its quite common in the United States. So much so that you can get them at hardware stores for pretty cheap, about $3 or so. You can even get adapters that extend the socket outward and add two outlets to them, that way you can keep your light! Not that I recommend plugging much into them.
Yeah that was what we used in old basements and garages. I have a few but haven’t seen one in use for decades since it is more common to put in more in walls during new build/remodels
those socket to light fixture adapters are great for holiday light strings, just plug them into the porch light and you can flip them on/off without leaving the house LUL
I also got this little microscope a while ago and found it useless for inspecting circuit boards as you do. But my kids love it. They can explore all kinds of things in and around the house with it.
@@gamingkingXit is totally different in many ways, but there is some overlap in where it finds use. It is an asphalt-solvent solution, not a vulcanizing rubber.
A couple of years ago, I wanted to replace a dim compact fluorescent bulb on the ceiling of my garage with a pair of LED shop lights, which together had a much lower power draw than the incandescent bulb the light socket was rated for. I actually looked for an adapter like the one you show here, because you could get them anywhere 40 years ago. I never found one, and I ended up removing the existing light socket and replacing it with an actual outlet in the ceiling. I sold the house with that outlet and the LED lights installed, and the outlet wasn't even the worst of my sins (I "temporarily" routed the power cord over a metal hook and never fixed it) but it passed inspection without a problem. When I built my new house, I included a detached workshop building. I hired licensed electricians to install the panel in that building, and they were required by code to install a light outside the door, a light inside the building, and one outlet. There, too, I had them install an outlet on the ceiling to accommodate plug-in LED shop lights. That, too, passed inspection, from an actual building inspector rather than just a "home inspector."
Such an adapter is useful if you live in an apartment building and have a storage unit. Usually, these units don’t have power outlets, only a light source and a switch. With such an adapter, you can connect a device even in the absence of an outlet.
I also bought two tubes of the liquid electric tape and made the same experience. One recommendation regarding angle grinder adapters: NEVER buy adapters or use an angle grinder for something it was not intended for. The speed and torque of angle grinders is very high by design and if something breaks at these rpm, it turns into a bullet! Just search for angle grinder accidents! Nothing will protect you!
We used to use those Light Socket to Plug adapters in the attic because there were no plug sockets, and if we needed a drill to drill a hole it came in clutch
Only things I don't like on the esp house automation board are: not auto powered from mains, you need a 12V DC ps, the traces to drive relay's coils are too near each other and ground and no galvanic separation? IDK if what that chip internally is but some optocouplers would have given me a better feeling.
6:17 To be fair, light fixtures also usually use thin wires - if the load is high, either the wire insulation will start melting in the wall or the protection will trip(if the correct circuit breaker was used)
The problem with that miliohmmeter is that, even with calibration, it's still a 2-point measurement. So if when the clamps slightly corrode the calibration is already wrong. And worse, the accuracy depends, possibly strongly, on how "well" a sample is clamped. But nevertheless, if the accuracy is good enough it seems like a nice tool for home use
Probably already mentioned, but the angle grinder attachment isn't for use on plates of steel. You are supposed to mount the grinder securely, such as in a vice, and use the belt in a stationary position. Sharpening knifes, cutting corners of small metal plates, sanding wood of various heights, or similar situations is what these are used for. The Belt pushes the work piece down onto a deck, or vice. The area of the bracket that has a space is the working area that you apply pressure. You don't apply pressure the length of the arm. That's for keeping the belt cool and dislodging pieces that may have been embedded.
Great video! Average lamps switch can't handle usually over 5 amps. So that lamp socket outlet don't need to handle much power. But yeah things like that was used 100 years ago and are not for modern usage. I think you should test how much lamp switches can handle, contacts usually burn with switching higher loads with half year.
@NinoJoel I live in Estonia and i have seen similar things that are at least 50 years old from soviet times. Then it also was used at odd and extreme places like big apartement building basement where wasnt any outlet to illegaly use lights power for other things. But never seen moder one in use :D
@@loodusefilm7881 i have been traveling to the us as well and they still use so many things that you wouldn't find here outside some leftovers or museums 😁
You can get monoculars instead of this digital microscope. They're often advertised as watchmakers magnifying glasses. They cost little money and are pretty handy. I have one with 10x magnification, which helps me a lot with small labels on ICs. They're also a completely optical device, which I find quite nice.
In an ideal situation for the light source you have a 6A (maybe 10A) circuit braker, so from wire thickness point of view it should be fine (but still a bad design)
In the US, the National Electrical Code requires that the light socket and everything feeding it be able to handle 15A peak, 12A continuous. That's the same as what you can get from most wall outlets, so those adapters make a lot more sense here. (Well, properly built versions of those adapters. Not that one, because it's obviously not properly built, and it's not UL Listed so it would be a code violation.) The NEC has been changed recently to allow 10A (8A continuous) lighting circuits, but I'm pretty sure it also requires the lights on such circuits to be hard-wired, so you couldn't use one of these adapters on such a circuit.
@RonParker in Europe most light circuits also can handle 16A which is standard for wall outlets. They are banned because they don't have proper ground connection and the light sockets cannot handle such currents since they are not build for anything other than light 💡
@@RonParker I'm pretty sure the new standards allow light sockets on lower ampacity circuits, just not power receptacles. So you could still use these adapters if you wanted to.
@@NinoJoel In the US ungrounded receptacles cannot accept grounded plugs so the lack of ground is not an issue. Now you can get adapters which defeat the ground but that's a separate issue.
there wasn't anywhere in the video "Złodziejka" aka 3way power adapter from classic socket. He complained about going from light socket to standard socket. Light power wires are usually thinner in buildings and there is enough light for filling its capacity.
@ złodziejka in polish normally means adapter from lightbulb socket to 230v, commonly used in basements where you do not have sockets, but only lights. It is standard equipment at home here.
The scope comes shipped with the bandwidth setting (shown under the menu setting "Run Mode") set to "Normal Mode" which limits the bandwidth to a maximum of 30MHz. This is done to lower power consumption. To measure signals up to the 50MHz maximum, you need to change this setting to "High-Speed Mode", although it states the power consumption willincrease
I bought a laser path finder yesterday for my dad for Christmas… I never knew these existed Thanks Scott… I think you should have one video per week at least ❤
Back in college, I had an old briefcase with a PS2 and a small LCD TV in it that I'd bring to the lounge to play with friends after classes. I had one of those socket adapters and an extension cord in it in case we weren't near an outlet. The one I had was a little less scary though XD
I recently tested (for a magazine article) by ordering what was purported to be a 4TB external SSD drive from Aliexpress. But got a 50GB Micro SD card (slow card) masked in an SSD-like external casing. So pure fraud. Answer from the seller: They can consider paying back half the amount I paid if I send back the "disk" at my own expense. For a postage cost far exceeding the possibly refunded amount! So another scam! Cannot understand why Aliexpress does not put a stop to this type of fraud!
Yep. Solid-state storage on AliExpress is often dodgy. 1) Read the reviews first, especially the 1⭐️ reviews. 2) If it seems too cheap to be true, it probably isn't true.
Aliexpress will do nothing to stop this. They earn good money off it and there are no legal repercussions because they are in china. So you have to be careful. General rule of thumb is if it sounds to good to be true, it probably is.
5o years ago my Gran had one of those light bulb adapters. She would get it out at Christmas to power a festive church ornament. I remember my Dad was very critical of it. No fuse, no earth and it would allow you to plug in a 13amp plug into a 5amp lighting circuit. Strange how that memory from my 8 year old self came back quite vividly. Made me smile, thank you. ⛪⛪🎄🎄🧑🎄🧑🎄
Back in the day, if were renting a cheap flat/apartment there would be a coin-in-the-slot electricity meter. However the lighting circuit for all the rooms would not be fed from these meters so people would connect to the light socket for upto about 500 watts
A 10 mΩ deviation in a mΩ-meter is a big no for me. As a physics PhD scholar nerdy about the science and technology of measurements, I still prefer the 4-probe method for measuring small resistances.
In the USA, I use light socket adapters that screw in and still let you screw a bulb into the end but add an ungrounded socket on the side. These make it easier to add stuff in a basement with few outlets. I don't use it for any heavy loads, mostly to add more lighting.
Socket to outlet converters are most useful in places where the only electric available is a single light socket. Throw in the adapter, a small power strip, and you're functional if potentially unsafe.
I used those screw in adapters to install plug-in LED "tube" lights in place of dangling bulbs in porcelain fixtures in my basement. They're a common hardware store product in the US 😁 Mine are solidly made and UL listed though!
Haha, we used light-socket to outlet adapters growing up for Christmas lights. You could turn them off and on indoors in the same way you would the porch lights!
You can find a macro lense that clips onto your phone, which is absolutely perfect to zoom into small electronics and even make photos of the tiny text and chips.
Thank you!! I've been looking at those handheld scopes for a while now but wasn't willing to take the chance. But I think it will be perfect for quick inspections when I need it but I can still drag out the bigger one for more demanding situations.
Plug/socket adapters are pretty common here in rural Texas. They tend to get used in barns and old sheds for the most part. Any place where the wiring is as old as your grandparents.
I own one of those old bakelite E27 to dual EU socket adapter. But I also remember that the old folks said it should not be used because they often would overload the circuit and the wiring would set fire to the house. I would think that the socket adapter is a very useful travel adapter since one could speculate that the E27 socket is much more common than the European wall socket
When i was an Electrician I used the light bulb socket adapter often. I used it most for toning out wires. Could you do it with out one yes 100%, but time is money and this is a super time saver.
Hey, love your content! Your builds are always so impressive and inspiring. I was wondering if you could please do a build on: H-bridge inverter (PWM enabled) using MOSFET (N- channel only) and 555 timer IC (without using gate drivers) and other required components . And also state the limitations of such an project. It would be awesome to see your take on it, especially with your expertise in electronics. Keep up the amazing work, and I look forward to your next project!
When electricity was new most wired houses only had light sockets.The center ceiling mounted light fixture wasn't as common then. It was far more common to have wall mounted lights so the plug wouldn't have been upside down in the center of the room. Even as center room ceiling mounted lights become more common you see keyless fixitures with a single outlet in them with the light socket. I've seen old antique electric clothes irons where they had a screw in adaptor on the end instead of the 2 prong plug that become common. You screwed in the cord then you screwed the light bulb into that. The iron had a stupid long cord on it (like 20 feet). They are rare to find because as wall outlets become common those ends got cut off and replaced with the 2 prong plugs that took over.
The belt sander adapter is not intended for use on flat surfaces but only for hard to reach parts. Works fine as a belt sander but of course you don't have much sandpaper available so it wear out quickly.
Hilariously, here in Canada you can still buy light socket to outlet adapters at your local hardware store - though they're made by reputable socket manufacturing companies. An odd duck to have on hand, but can be really handy when you need them.
I used the US equivalent of that light socket to outlet adapter for years in a room that was poorly lit by it's single recessed light socket that was missing it's diffuser cover. So with minimal and completely reversable modification, I hung a florescent shop light that was powered by a wall outlet plug and used the adapter to power the shop light from the socket above it. This lit the room up way better. Then when we moved out, I was able to restore the original lighting setup by just removing the shop light.
I've noticed that the angle grinder bracket for my Makita performs better in woodworking applications than steel. While it may not be ideal, it's a cost-effective solution for mounting it to your existing tool, rather than purchasing a new one.
I have the same liquid electrical tape. You need to use it like a sort of a clay and work it before applying. It will turn gooey after a few seconds and harden after application.
For reading the labels on chips etc, a "loupe" lens can be handy, and very quick/simple to use. I recently bought a very cheap set from aliexpress and they're fine.
Having personal experience with more expensive liquid electrical tape, that stuff is amazing! Just gave to keep an eye out for the expiry date and not let it breathe too much air
You could also get a Y adaptor for the light socket so you could still have your bulb plugged in. Lights are wired differently these days, so any heavy draw appliance would be a risky, but light loads should be fine.
The bulb to plug adapter is something I've used with Christmas lights. I remove a bulb from the porch light and plug the string into that fixture. It's already high up near a roofline and I can use the switch inside the house to turn them off and on. Once the holidays are over all I have to do is screw the bulb back in and everything is back to normal.
Light 'socket' is for cheap hotels, ones where you don't get any room sockets in your room, where the TV power is hardwired to the wall and the remote is chained to the bed
I know there are still some niche hobbyist uses for those bulb-socket-outlet adapters...such as within a small animal cage where there is lighting/temperature/humidity equipment.
The garages in my condominium were built with no outlets at all, just light sockets. Each owner started out with a light socket adapter similar to the one shown here. Over the years almost every owner has installed some kind of outlets, but at least one neighbor still has a light socket adapter leading to an extension cord.
Socket in light feature are also usefull when you have a light fixture installed in the wall and you want to replace it a socket plugged lights. It's a super easy fix instead of rewiring stuff.
Socket fixtures can be used to steal power from your apartment complex or similar. We used to do this with a homemade outlet that screwed into a socket.
Sockets in light fittings were actually used before we got them on the walls!
Yeah. there's nothing new or weird about those.
there still kinda common, once in a wile i see them at walmart and hardware stores designed more for outdoor use, there just made way better lol
The only time i saw getting power from a lamp holder was in a Laurel & Hardy movie.
Aren't Germans funny?
@@Alacritousthe weird thing is that now that we discovered we could put plugs in the wall, we kinda don't use those adapters anymore...
Sure in a pinch they work, but most countries ask for less power in the lighting circuit which means you can overload the circuit if you plug a big load.
Also, even if you don't overload the circuit, you will probably overload the plug as they're made expecting loads of less than 150/200W.
Even if you're not overloading anything, those plugs have no ground, so they're risky to use.
It's not gonna kill you instantly, but your friendly neighborhood inspector is not gonna be happy if they see you using it
I used to live in staff accommodation in a hotel. They would turn off the power sockets at 10PM every night to prevent gatherings/parties, so we hooked up an extension to the light socket. That socket adapter would have been very handy. 😆
Haha not a bad idea ;-)
Exactly. There's plenty of cheap backpacker hotels where this thing is useful.
So you couldn't charge your phone or use a non-hardwired lamp after 10? That seems annoying to say the list
@@somedude2492 some might call it abusive
that is so dystopian, fuck they care what people do with their free time.
The oscilloscope can do 46Mhz in High speed mode! By default its in normal mode for battery longevity, that's why you only get 35Mhz
How long does it last, i only know the zt-702s lasts for about 2hr which makes it almost useless to replace as a multimeter
The TOOLTOP ET120MC2 can do up to 120 MHz, but it doesn't have multimeter function
@@zaks7it's super easy to open and replace the 18650 inside. I agree the battery that it ships with is trash, but with a reputable 18650 it lasts a lot longer.
The battery it has inside isn't even soldered so it's not very hard to switch at all.
@@kokoeblighatian3631thanks. I already two multimeter so this option is better for me. Also higher speed while being cheaper.
But I found non C2 version. Can someone let me know the differences?
@@zaks7 replying to your comment so that i know the answer too :(
Some time ago I had my gas water heater replaced, and in the toolbox of one of the workers, was a homemade bulb to socket adapter, made from soviet-era parts. When I asked him about it, he explained that he also does roof and attic repairs, and in my area, It's uncommon to have sockets in attic, but we usually have lights so he used it for some low power stuff
Ok. Sounds reasonable
Had a similar case in a garage not having sockets, but a lamp. Being able to use like a small vacuum cleaner there was a game changer, using an old one. It also had lamp passthrough. Never left unattended though.
I've seen the same thing used to power outside christmas lights off an outside light fixture when there wasn't an outside receptacle close by, and bonus no need to unplug to turn them off, just use the switch :P
@@Scruffy545 That was literally shown in the video... -.-
@@nimoy007 Did they say it wasn't? Why u so bitter?
6:46 You couldn't find the current rating? The rating is currently that 4,7 stars ;p
Haha
You can use battery internal resistance meters to measure any resistance; they are very accurate, up to 0.001 mOhms being a battery or not. And there are plenty on aliexpress
Lovely hack. Never thought of that. I should try that out.
Indeed, FNIRSi HRM-10 is modern and very affordable
Came here to say the same thing. I use RC3563. You can also measure capacitor ESR. However, both ESR and internal resistance measurements aren't as accurate as measuring under load.
@@greatscottlab YR1035+ is another option.
I love this series because I constantly stare at some weird electronic find on AliExpress contemplating life decisions.
Haha
@@greatscottlabwhy are you lying that you are Scottish if your accent is so obviously German
We all do. 😶🌫️
@@ZelenoJabko named after the expression _"Great Scott!"_
@@ZelenoJabko his name is Scott, and he never "lied" saying that he's Scottish, and he allways declares himself German, e.g. 6:25
05:31 Places where there is no power socket, but a (not) used lamp is available, e.g. to install a WLAN repeater or WLan surveillance camera
They are often used for Christmas lights.
@@WoodStoveEnthusiast And now you can keep an eye on your Christmas lights with a cheap surveillance camera :D
Also great to steal a bit of power in a shared basement with no power outlets.
I use one in my storage locker where there is a light and not available outlets. Replaced the bulb with an LED and then ran an extension cable to charge only a few lead acid batteries on trickle chargers around 400mA total
If you have trouble reading small writing, a bright torch does wonders. The bright light shrinks your pupil, and that focuses your eye because the light beams converge at a single point. Looking through a pinhole does the same thing.
GENIUS
bro.... just buy a magnifying glass like thats why they were made
@@thehartkrusher I think the point was if you don't have one on hand, but thanks for reminding all of us that we can buy stuff. /s
@@nimoy007 yeah apparently people forget that this problem was solved already for less money , youre welcome.
@@thehartkrusher For less money than the bright light that you already have on your phone? Sure
7:10 Kincony started doing this as a hobby and then started selling the electronic boards he designed for himself. Since he designs primarily for his own use, he uses high quality materials.
3:53 Where you using high speed mode? That steps up the frequency ceiling but at a cost of battery longevity. This scope has opened up a whole new world for me, as someone returning to the hobby on an extremely tight budget.
Addendum: I would love to see you do a tutorial on scopes like this for the beginner because I really appreciate your teaching style. Back in the 80s when I started, oscilloscopes where far outside my reach. And now that I'm returning to the hobby, I am learning to use them from scratch.
same as me :)
I just bought a FNIRSI 2c53p, and not yet fully tested, but looks good at first, has 3 instruments, and, for me, the larger screen is a necessity.
Zack Freedman has made a oscilloscope tutorial on his channel.
saame id love to see a video like that from you
I'd love to see more about cheap oscilloscopes too
At the beginning of electrification, homes often only had electric lighting, but over time various electrical devices began to appear, such as radios, record players, irons, and vacuum cleaners, so out of need, splitters appeared that allowed for connecting not only a light bulb but also, for example, 2 other devices.
Those socket to outlet adapters are used a lot here in the US as an easy and cheap way to use LED shoplights in places where there are keyless bases, like garages or basements. You take the old, dim bulb out, screw that in, and plug in a higher output shoplight instead.
not suprising, you guys have such poor standards with everything. Electrical safety is probably just as lax as gun control.
You used to even be able to get ones that had power outlets on the side and an E26 socket on the bottom, so you could plug something in and keep the light bulb. Those were a bit sketchier in the days of incandescent bulbs, because you ended up cooking whatever you plugged into them, but they existed.
Exactly what I use one for. Instead of one bulb illuminating the garage when I open the door to pull in I have daisy chained LED shop lights gloriously showing me the way.
@@Steve211Ucdhihifvshi Well aren't you quite the euro-exceptionalist. 😝
We use them for Christmas lights
5:30 older days In my country, most public dormitories has socket ban for several reasons (Students uses dangerous materials or casual devices like kettle in dangerous ways or it is believed that telephones distract them and drops the succession rate among students) at those times, we were harvesting electricity from those light bulbs (ofc in dangerous way that most of the time there is open live wires). So this product was safer way to do that. I appreciated :)
Using a light socket for a kettle would be much less safe.
0:14 When I was a lad in the '50s UK many appliances would be plugged into light sockets.
Using light fittings as a socket was a life saver many times when travelling in India, where a lot of the cheaper hotel rooms have no sockets at all. The only way to recharge batteries.
Light socket outlet adapters are extremely useful for upgrading your garage to led strips or fluorescent setups!
Also handy in some work cafes if they don't have a plug available.
Not sure why one would want a digital jewelers loop except to take pictures, but a regular jewelers loop is great for identifying parts on a PCB.
One reason I can think of, is to be able to see something at high magnification without having to move your head right next to the magnifying glass.
Another AliExpress video!!!! Sweeeeeeet! The light socket adaptor has been around for 80 years at least in the UK.
;-)
And was banned
Well it’s fine if you don’t pull too much current but realistically it’s not a good idea. Light circuits only have 6 amp fuses and are usually 1 or 1.5mm twin and cpc.
@davideyres955 Yeah 6A CB and 1.5 T&E plus the switches are not inductive load rated,
I've lived in england for almost 45 years, never seen one.
The Oscilloscope / 3 in 1 tool at 1:53 seems very cool, but I’m mostly interested in the oscilloscope functionality with the rest being extras.
I might actually buy one. It looked super handy :D And I also like fancy stuff so its perfect xD
@@AK90I have one and it’s the greatest thing since sliced bread. I like to travel as light as possible to jobs and mainly only need a multimeter but a situation comes up every now and then where an oscilloscope is useful and this meter just makes that simple. Just the fact that it’s USB C rechargeable already makes it better than my regular multimeters.
@@NicksperimentsAnd it's also a super fair device in terms of longevity! It just uses a standard 18650 cell.
looks ideal for automotive and marine work.
@@r7boatguyI've used one on cars quite a few times now. Perfect for cam/crank signals, CANBUS, wheel speed sensors. Got mine on temu for £25 as introductory offer. Bought it with a burner email so I don't get spammed.
Socket adapters are very useful when you have work to do in unknown place, where you often have trouble to get access to wall sockets, but light fixtures are on the outside.
0:20 This is how it was done before outlets were a thing. Weird yes, but the idea goes further back than outlets
14:45 you need angle grinder with build in speed regulation, so you can slow it down
And I don't think you're supposed to apply pressure anywhere except at the tip where the bearing is, but the plastic should not be that cheap either.
Oh wow what a channel, what a series!
I can now enjoy my favourite past time, exploring weird aliexpress things, without turning my home into a junkyard at my own expense.
That handheld microscope could be quite useful for close up examination of edges when sharpening knives etc
I found it pretty useful for print material inspection for the precise reasons he disliked it too.
That light bulb to power socket adapter might be useful for hotels or other situations where you might not have any access to power sockets otherwise.
You could get a YR1030 / 1035 - Its meant for measuring the internal resistance of Batteries and can go down to 0.01 mOhm but its perfectly fine for measuring any resistance ofc.
Don't knock that light socket adapter, we used to use something similar with Y bulb socket adapters they even had independent switches in the Y adapters
That one is a piece of crap. If you have to use one, at least get one that the plug doesn't fall out of.
I think a better solution for the last use case would be to get a boom arm for your microscope. Then you can keep it set up and out of the way when not in use and easily reposition when doing something quick like reading IC markings.
For the microscope, you can often try and rotate the tiny lens with pliers to change the focus. Mind you that this doesn't always work, it depends a bit on how well the lens is secured with glue, but so far I've always been able to adjust the focus on my Pi lenses that were also glued in place.
Hey, that Bulb Socket is very common!
Not where I live.....
Yeah, I wasn't surprised about that one at all. I wanted to get one to hook up Christmas lights in odd places where there's no convenient outlets
@greatscottlab its quite common in the United States. So much so that you can get them at hardware stores for pretty cheap, about $3 or so. You can even get adapters that extend the socket outward and add two outlets to them, that way you can keep your light! Not that I recommend plugging much into them.
Yeah that was what we used in old basements and garages. I have a few but haven’t seen one in use for decades since it is more common to put in more in walls during new build/remodels
Like Germany, here is this the hot Stuff!
those socket to light fixture adapters are great for holiday light strings, just plug them into the porch light and you can flip them on/off without leaving the house LUL
Yep. Pretty much the only good usage I see for them ;-)
Socets also was used for "service crews" to plug tea pots in common places (staircase) @@greatscottlab
@@greatscottlab - no GFCI protection means they aren’t even good for that.
I also got this little microscope a while ago and found it useless for inspecting circuit boards as you do. But my kids love it. They can explore all kinds of things in and around the house with it.
Socket in light is mostly used in garage where only light power is supplied
At least in the US that liquid tape is basically found everywhere, usually in the automotive section of a Walmart
Ok. Fun fact
It looks just like RTV (room temperature vulcanizing) silicone gasket for an engine.
@@gamingkingXit is totally different in many ways, but there is some overlap in where it finds use. It is an asphalt-solvent solution, not a vulcanizing rubber.
@@gamingkingX The stuff that I've used sets up a lot harder than silicone.
@@rocketman221projects ah okay, then just replace “silicone” with “pvc” and its basically the same.
A couple of years ago, I wanted to replace a dim compact fluorescent bulb on the ceiling of my garage with a pair of LED shop lights, which together had a much lower power draw than the incandescent bulb the light socket was rated for. I actually looked for an adapter like the one you show here, because you could get them anywhere 40 years ago. I never found one, and I ended up removing the existing light socket and replacing it with an actual outlet in the ceiling.
I sold the house with that outlet and the LED lights installed, and the outlet wasn't even the worst of my sins (I "temporarily" routed the power cord over a metal hook and never fixed it) but it passed inspection without a problem.
When I built my new house, I included a detached workshop building. I hired licensed electricians to install the panel in that building, and they were required by code to install a light outside the door, a light inside the building, and one outlet. There, too, I had them install an outlet on the ceiling to accommodate plug-in LED shop lights. That, too, passed inspection, from an actual building inspector rather than just a "home inspector."
4:55 this is very cool. I am pretty sure that there is an FPGA in there
Such an adapter is useful if you live in an apartment building and have a storage unit. Usually, these units don’t have power outlets, only a light source and a switch. With such an adapter, you can connect a device even in the absence of an outlet.
I also bought two tubes of the liquid electric tape and made the same experience.
One recommendation regarding angle grinder adapters: NEVER buy adapters or use an angle grinder for something it was not intended for. The speed and torque of angle grinders is very high by design and if something breaks at these rpm, it turns into a bullet! Just search for angle grinder accidents! Nothing will protect you!
We used to use those Light Socket to Plug adapters in the attic because there were no plug sockets, and if we needed a drill to drill a hole it came in clutch
Only things I don't like on the esp house automation board are: not auto powered from mains, you need a 12V DC ps, the traces to drive relay's coils are too near each other and ground and no galvanic separation? IDK if what that chip internally is but some optocouplers would have given me a better feeling.
I always have a jewelers loupe on hand for things like reading IC labels, they're tiny and can be really cheap while still lasting a good while.
That scope multimeter now has a FFT function. I did not test it much though
Really? Will try that out.....
@ ruclips.net/video/PWPkhcwcsqs/видео.html&lc=Ugz1G3fF_lLrFJ23odx4AaABAg&si=3rrtx80kttYeG7Od
Btw, I just love your ali videos 😊
Watching your video for more than 4years . I love your videos ❤. I learned a lot, i can't thank you enough for that
6:17 To be fair, light fixtures also usually use thin wires - if the load is high, either the wire insulation will start melting in the wall or the protection will trip(if the correct circuit breaker was used)
The problem with that miliohmmeter is that, even with calibration, it's still a 2-point measurement. So if when the clamps slightly corrode the calibration is already wrong. And worse, the accuracy depends, possibly strongly, on how "well" a sample is clamped. But nevertheless, if the accuracy is good enough it seems like a nice tool for home use
Yes, Kelvin type four wire test leads would be better for low resistance measurements.
2:43 Subtle flex with that behemoth of a keysight
Probably already mentioned, but the angle grinder attachment isn't for use on plates of steel. You are supposed to mount the grinder securely, such as in a vice, and use the belt in a stationary position. Sharpening knifes, cutting corners of small metal plates, sanding wood of various heights, or similar situations is what these are used for. The Belt pushes the work piece down onto a deck, or vice.
The area of the bracket that has a space is the working area that you apply pressure. You don't apply pressure the length of the arm. That's for keeping the belt cool and dislodging pieces that may have been embedded.
Great video! Average lamps switch can't handle usually over 5 amps. So that lamp socket outlet don't need to handle much power. But yeah things like that was used 100 years ago and are not for modern usage. I think you should test how much lamp switches can handle, contacts usually burn with switching higher loads with half year.
Funnily enough these are common in the US... Well... They are behind a 100 years in some things 😂
@NinoJoel I live in Estonia and i have seen similar things that are at least 50 years old from soviet times. Then it also was used at odd and extreme places like big apartement building basement where wasnt any outlet to illegaly use lights power for other things. But never seen moder one in use :D
@@loodusefilm7881 i have been traveling to the us as well and they still use so many things that you wouldn't find here outside some leftovers or museums 😁
You can get monoculars instead of this digital microscope. They're often advertised as watchmakers magnifying glasses.
They cost little money and are pretty handy. I have one with 10x magnification, which helps me a lot with small labels on ICs.
They're also a completely optical device, which I find quite nice.
In an ideal situation for the light source you have a 6A (maybe 10A) circuit braker, so from wire thickness point of view it should be fine (but still a bad design)
The lamp sockets nowadays only handle 200w or less.
It's not a wire issue
In the US, the National Electrical Code requires that the light socket and everything feeding it be able to handle 15A peak, 12A continuous. That's the same as what you can get from most wall outlets, so those adapters make a lot more sense here. (Well, properly built versions of those adapters. Not that one, because it's obviously not properly built, and it's not UL Listed so it would be a code violation.)
The NEC has been changed recently to allow 10A (8A continuous) lighting circuits, but I'm pretty sure it also requires the lights on such circuits to be hard-wired, so you couldn't use one of these adapters on such a circuit.
@RonParker in Europe most light circuits also can handle 16A which is standard for wall outlets.
They are banned because they don't have proper ground connection and the light sockets cannot handle such currents since they are not build for anything other than light 💡
@@RonParker I'm pretty sure the new standards allow light sockets on lower ampacity circuits, just not power receptacles. So you could still use these adapters if you wanted to.
@@NinoJoel In the US ungrounded receptacles cannot accept grounded plugs so the lack of ground is not an issue. Now you can get adapters which defeat the ground but that's a separate issue.
For reading those ICs, maybe get a Jewler's loupe? Smalll enough for tight spaces, high magnification and no battery required.
It is fun for Polish people, to see German guy is suprised about "Złodziejka" , what is commonly used in Poland since 966y
there wasn't anywhere in the video "Złodziejka" aka 3way power adapter from classic socket. He complained about going from light socket to standard socket.
Light power wires are usually thinner in buildings and there is enough light for filling its capacity.
@ złodziejka in polish normally means adapter from lightbulb socket to 230v, commonly used in basements where you do not have sockets, but only lights. It is standard equipment at home here.
in the Czech Republic we call it the same "zlodějka"
I love this series. I love the endless weird products you can find on AliX. Please keep it going.
As usual, great content! Thanks again!
My pleasure!
The scope comes shipped with the
bandwidth setting (shown under the menu
setting "Run Mode") set to "Normal Mode"
which limits the bandwidth to a maximum
of 30MHz. This is done to lower power
consumption. To measure signals up to the
50MHz maximum, you need to change this
setting to "High-Speed Mode", although it
states the power consumption willincrease
I bought a laser path finder yesterday for my dad for Christmas… I never knew these existed
Thanks Scott… I think you should have one video per week at least ❤
No Problem ;-) I try my best with the video releases.
Back in college, I had an old briefcase with a PS2 and a small LCD TV in it that I'd bring to the lounge to play with friends after classes. I had one of those socket adapters and an extension cord in it in case we weren't near an outlet. The one I had was a little less scary though XD
I recently tested (for a magazine article) by ordering what was purported to be a 4TB external SSD drive from Aliexpress.
But got a 50GB Micro SD card (slow card) masked in an SSD-like external casing.
So pure fraud.
Answer from the seller:
They can consider paying back half the amount I paid if I send back the "disk" at my own expense.
For a postage cost far exceeding the possibly refunded amount!
So another scam!
Cannot understand why Aliexpress does not put a stop to this type of fraud!
if you buy with a credit card, maybe you could cancel it with them and get the money back
Yep.
Solid-state storage on AliExpress is often dodgy.
1) Read the reviews first, especially the 1⭐️ reviews.
2) If it seems too cheap to be true, it probably isn't true.
Yes, I mean it is pretty well known that such storage is often times a scam. Maybe I should talk about that in a future episode.
Refuse their offer and let Aliexpress decide on the dispute. They will 100% refund you without having to ship anything.
Aliexpress will do nothing to stop this. They earn good money off it and there are no legal repercussions because they are in china. So you have to be careful. General rule of thumb is if it sounds to good to be true, it probably is.
Love this content
Hi to the World :D
Hi :-)
5o years ago my Gran had one of those light bulb adapters. She would get it out at Christmas to power a festive church ornament. I remember my Dad was very critical of it. No fuse, no earth and it would allow you to plug in a 13amp plug into a 5amp lighting circuit. Strange how that memory from my 8 year old self came back quite vividly. Made me smile, thank you. ⛪⛪🎄🎄🧑🎄🧑🎄
YAML is one of the worst things imposed on the Computing community.
yelling:
- at
- my
- laptop
Back in the day, if were renting a cheap flat/apartment there would be a coin-in-the-slot electricity meter. However the lighting circuit for all the rooms would not be fed from these meters so people would connect to the light socket for upto about 500 watts
A 10 mΩ deviation in a mΩ-meter is a big no for me. As a physics PhD scholar nerdy about the science and technology of measurements, I still prefer the 4-probe method for measuring small resistances.
The 4-probe method is the only one that would be reliable, I would say. Or I'm missing something?
@@gosdeCarrer absolutely
In the USA, I use light socket adapters that screw in and still let you screw a bulb into the end but add an ungrounded socket on the side. These make it easier to add stuff in a basement with few outlets. I don't use it for any heavy loads, mostly to add more lighting.
Socket to outlet converters are most useful in places where the only electric available is a single light socket. Throw in the adapter, a small power strip, and you're functional if potentially unsafe.
I used those screw in adapters to install plug-in LED "tube" lights in place of dangling bulbs in porcelain fixtures in my basement. They're a common hardware store product in the US 😁 Mine are solidly made and UL listed though!
Those adapters are for renovations, used to use them during renovations when we had light routed, but didnt had sockets yet.
I use the liquid tape a lot, but I always buy the one that are shipped in the metal container. Works great.
I only watch this series of yours, but it's gold! Make more!!
My favorite series, again, just before Christmas! Thanks!
Haha, we used light-socket to outlet adapters growing up for Christmas lights. You could turn them off and on indoors in the same way you would the porch lights!
You can find a macro lense that clips onto your phone, which is absolutely perfect to zoom into small electronics and even make photos of the tiny text and chips.
Thank you!! I've been looking at those handheld scopes for a while now but wasn't willing to take the chance. But I think it will be perfect for quick inspections when I need it but I can still drag out the bigger one for more demanding situations.
Plug/socket adapters are pretty common here in rural Texas. They tend to get used in barns and old sheds for the most part. Any place where the wiring is as old as your grandparents.
I own one of those old bakelite E27 to dual EU socket adapter. But I also remember that the old folks said it should not be used because they often would overload the circuit and the wiring would set fire to the house.
I would think that the socket adapter is a very useful travel adapter since one could speculate that the E27 socket is much more common than the European wall socket
When i was an Electrician I used the light bulb socket adapter often. I used it most for toning out wires. Could you do it with out one yes 100%, but time is money and this is a super time saver.
Hey, love your content! Your builds are always so impressive and inspiring. I was wondering if you could please do a build on: H-bridge inverter (PWM enabled) using MOSFET (N- channel only) and 555 timer IC (without using gate drivers) and other required components . And also state the limitations of such an project. It would be awesome to see your take on it, especially with your expertise in electronics.
Keep up the amazing work, and I look forward to your next project!
When electricity was new most wired houses only had light sockets.The center ceiling mounted light fixture wasn't as common then. It was far more common to have wall mounted lights so the plug wouldn't have been upside down in the center of the room. Even as center room ceiling mounted lights become more common you see keyless fixitures with a single outlet in them with the light socket.
I've seen old antique electric clothes irons where they had a screw in adaptor on the end instead of the 2 prong plug that become common. You screwed in the cord then you screwed the light bulb into that. The iron had a stupid long cord on it (like 20 feet). They are rare to find because as wall outlets become common those ends got cut off and replaced with the 2 prong plugs that took over.
The belt sander adapter is not intended for use on flat surfaces but only for hard to reach parts.
Works fine as a belt sander but of course you don't have much sandpaper available so it wear out quickly.
Hilariously, here in Canada you can still buy light socket to outlet adapters at your local hardware store - though they're made by reputable socket manufacturing companies. An odd duck to have on hand, but can be really handy when you need them.
A good light socket adapter is nice for hanging shop lights in a garage.
I used the US equivalent of that light socket to outlet adapter for years in a room that was poorly lit by it's single recessed light socket that was missing it's diffuser cover. So with minimal and completely reversable modification, I hung a florescent shop light that was powered by a wall outlet plug and used the adapter to power the shop light from the socket above it. This lit the room up way better. Then when we moved out, I was able to restore the original lighting setup by just removing the shop light.
I've noticed that the angle grinder bracket for my Makita performs better in woodworking applications than steel. While it may not be ideal, it's a cost-effective solution for mounting it to your existing tool, rather than purchasing a new one.
We need this series every week!
Those light socket adapters are actually handy. I used them to convert a couple sockets into LED tube lights in my garage.
I have the same liquid electrical tape. You need to use it like a sort of a clay and work it before applying. It will turn gooey after a few seconds and harden after application.
For reading the labels on chips etc, a "loupe" lens can be handy, and very quick/simple to use. I recently bought a very cheap set from aliexpress and they're fine.
Having personal experience with more expensive liquid electrical tape, that stuff is amazing! Just gave to keep an eye out for the expiry date and not let it breathe too much air
lightbulbs adapters that give you two sockets and let you put a lightbulb in further down are a godsend for caves and such
You could also get a Y adaptor for the light socket so you could still have your bulb plugged in.
Lights are wired differently these days, so any heavy draw appliance would be a risky, but light loads should be fine.
The bulb to plug adapter is something I've used with Christmas lights. I remove a bulb from the porch light and plug the string into that fixture. It's already high up near a roofline and I can use the switch inside the house to turn them off and on. Once the holidays are over all I have to do is screw the bulb back in and everything is back to normal.
Light 'socket' is for cheap hotels, ones where you don't get any room sockets in your room, where the TV power is hardwired to the wall and the remote is chained to the bed
I know there are still some niche hobbyist uses for those bulb-socket-outlet adapters...such as within a small animal cage where there is lighting/temperature/humidity equipment.
The garages in my condominium were built with no outlets at all, just light sockets. Each owner started out with a light socket adapter similar to the one shown here. Over the years almost every owner has installed some kind of outlets, but at least one neighbor still has a light socket adapter leading to an extension cord.
Your AliExpress Gem video series is really gaining a lot of views, good to see your work paying off.
Thanks!
Socket in light feature are also usefull when you have a light fixture installed in the wall and you want to replace it a socket plugged lights. It's a super easy fix instead of rewiring stuff.
The socket to plug adapter is perfect for security camera installation outside. Low draw applications is exactly what these are used for.
Socket fixtures can be used to steal power from your apartment complex or similar. We used to do this with a homemade outlet that screwed into a socket.