With regard to T-R's commenta, here's what the typical ES lampholder from Europe is like:
[Linked Image]
The screwsheel will only become to connected to one side of the supply once the bulb is screwed down into the holder and makes contact at the bottom.
[Linked Image]

As most British bedside lamps use the double-contact bayonet fitting, polarity on these holders is completely irrelevant:
[Linked Image from tlc-direct.co.uk]
[Linked Image from tlc-direct.co.uk]

Where there's an integral switch, obviously there's a possibility of it ending up in the neutral with an unpolarized plug. I really don't see this as a big problem either. Millions of these lamps were in use in the days when reversible plugs were commonplace here.

Arguments that somebody might poke around in the lamp socket without unplugging it first don't make much sense to me. Even if the switch is on the hot side, that same person could just as easily stick his finger in the socket with the switch on.

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Prior to grounded outlets becomming common in US homes, most tube radios had the L wire to the switch and the N to a metal chassis.

Gene,
Have you read this thread ? (Mention of live-chassis radios on page 2).

This was indeed a problem where somebody fitted incorrect screws or other mountings to a live chassis set without realizing the dangers. They might have used it in their own house for years with the chassis connected to the neutral and never noticed anything wrong, but if that same set was then moved and reconnected the other way round it would sit there ready to bite some unsuspecting person who happened to touch the wrong screw head.


[This message has been edited by pauluk (edited 09-27-2003).]