A trouble light, also known as a rough service light, drop light, or inspection lamp, is a special lamp used to illuminate obscure places and able to handle moderate abuse. The light bulb is housed in a protective cage and a handle that are molded to form a single unit. It has a long power line for distant reaching; the handle may also have an

electrical outlet AC power plugs and sockets connect electric equipment to the alternating current (AC) mains electricity power supply in buildings and at other sites. Electrical plugs and sockets differ from one another in voltage and current rating, shape, ...

on it, allowing the light to also double as an extension cord. Trouble lights are usually powered by AC wall current, but some are powered by a 12-volt source, such as a

car battery An automotive battery or car battery is a rechargeable battery that is used to start a motor vehicle. Its main purpose is to provide an electric current to the electric-powered starting motor, which in turn starts the chemically-powered internal ...

. The bulb of the trouble light typically has a heavy filament to withstand dropping, and therefore is also referred to as a drop light. Newer models often use LED arrays as the light source. LEDs are more energy efficient, and may be more durable as well, compared to incandescents. Some trouble lights are also designed to operate on 32 VAC supplied from either a local or centralised transformer, the local one being a plug pack or inline style transformer, and the centralised transformer usually being mounted near the building switchboard and distributed to various special 32 V outlets in work areas to power multiple lights. This is to maximise electrical safety especially in wet environments or where the cord may be damaged during use and otherwise pose a shock hazard. This was common in Australian mechanical workshops before the advent of battery powered worklights, with the 32 V socket being a non polarised Type A socket or polarised "T" socket to differentiate the 32 V transformer supply from the normal Aus/NZ 240 V mains supply sockets which are Type I. Trouble lights are intended to be used with "rough service bulbs", a form of

incandescent light bulbs An incandescent light bulb, incandescent lamp or incandescent light globe is an electric light with a wire filament heated until it glows. The filament is enclosed in a glass bulb with a vacuum or inert gas to protect the filament from oxidat ...

which are designed with as many as five support wires holding the filament to allow it to withstand heavy vibrations or movement. Lower voltage bulbs such as those intended to function with 12 volt power supplies also have a higher lumen output per watt of power consumption.

Compact fluorescent lamp A compact fluorescent lamp (CFL), also called compact fluorescent light, energy-saving light and compact fluorescent tube, is a fluorescent lamp designed to replace an incandescent light bulb; some types fit into light fixtures designed for inca ...

s and recently,

light-emitting diodes A light-emitting diode (LED) is a semiconductor device that emits light when current flows through it. Electrons in the semiconductor recombine with electron holes, releasing energy in the form of photons. The color of the light (cor ...

may also be used in trouble lights. Trouble lights intended for use in hazardous areas such as in petrochemical plants will have features designed to prevent ignition of flammable gas around the lamp, such as heavy sealed lamp enclosures and guards to protect lamps from breaking.

Applications

Trouble lights are often used by

automotive mechanic An auto mechanic (automotive technician in most of North America, light vehicle technician in British English, and motor mechanic in Australian English) is a mechanic who services and repairs automobiles, sometimes specializing in one or more ...

s and electricians where localized light is needed where ambient light proves to be insufficient.

References

{{reflist Automotive accessories