Originally Posted by HotLine1

If I remember correctly, some of the fixtures were wired thru the sockets, requiring a lamp 'in place' to make the feed to the ballast.


I think you're talking about the F96, F72, and F60-T12 fixtures.

The bulbs had single pins that connected 2 contacts in the unsprung lampholders. The other end of the bulb had a spring in the lampholder.

The contacts were connected between the lines and the ballast.