Transform Your Euro Lampshade with the New Reducer Ring for US Lamp Holders

Jun 11
4 min read

Our latest lighting products - the EURO to US Lampshade Reducer Rings - are as successful as they are simple! Allowing you to secure lampshades made from our kits and lampshade rings to either US table or pendant lamp fittings, these are a game changer for our makers who sell to, or live in the US.

In this post, we'll outline how to use our 32mm and 34mm Euro to US Lampshade Reducer Rings to adapt a narrow diameter US lamp holder to fit a Euro Fitting Lampshade, share the detailed specifications, and show you how to measure the diameter of a lamp holder, to ensure you buy the right size.

What is the purpose of a EURO to US Lampshade Reducer Ring?

Our NEW EURO to US Lampshade Reducer Rings, for 32mm and 34mm diameter lamp holders, are pairs of threaded screw on attachments that add width around the circumference of the US lamp holder, so a lampshade with a Euro Fitting can be easily secured.

US lamp holders come in wide range of sizes and some more common than others, such as the E26 lamp holder which measures 40mm (1 5/8 inches), whilst others are narrower in size, measuring 32mm, 34mm, 35mm or 36mm in diameter.

All Dannells Lampshade Making Kits, Utility Rings and Frames are fitted with a Euro Fitting (E27) measuring 40mm (1 5/8 inches). This is an unthreaded 'slip on' fitting and therefore wider in diameter than narrower US lamp holders, meaning the lampshade cannot be secured to lamp holder, to stay in position.

The lips of the Euro to US Lampshade Reducer Rings support the lampshade fitting and the thread secures the lampshade in place.

Specifications

Find the exacts sizes and uses of our EURO to US lampshade Reducer Rings below:

How does a EURO to US Lampshade Reducer Ring work?

Our EURO to US Lampshade Reducer Ring work as a pair, or in some cases as a single ring due to some US lamp holders already having a lower lip or ring in place.

Fitting a pair of EURO to US Lampshade Reducer Rings

Start by removing the bulb, and screwing the first ring onto the lamp holder to the desired height, with the lip facing up
Place the lampshade over the lamp holder so it sits on the lip. Please note at this stage the lampshade will not be secure, so be sure to hold this in place.
With the lip facing down, screw the second ring onto the lamp holder, tightening until the lampshade is secure and does not move.

Note: For lamp holders which already have a lip or a lower ring, simply follow steps 2 and 3.

How to measure the diameter of your lamp holder

There are a number of different methods to find the diameter of your lamp holder to ensure you use the correct size of reducer ring;

Using a ruler

Position a ruler across the top of your lamp holder, measure the outer edge to outer edge of the fitting, to give you an approximate size. Use one of the following methods to cross check this measurement, for accuracy.

Soft tape measure or paper method

Take a soft tape measure, and measure the circumference of your lamp holder. If you don’t have a soft tape measure, use a strip of paper, wrap this round the lamp holder, mark or cut then measure the length (circumference) with a ruler.

Measure using a caliper

If you have one in your tool kit, a caliper (either digital or manual) is a useful to measure your lamp holder diameter.

What are the differences between a European UNO, US Slip UNO and US threaded UNO?

The word UNO is a common term used to describe lampshade fittings, but to avoid any confusion it's important to know the differences between a Euro Fitting (sometimes also referred to as UNO), US Slip UNO lamp fitting/fitter and the US Threaded UNO fitting/fitter, both in design and compatibility:

Euro Fitting / Fitter

Inner ring diameter - 40mm (1 9/16 inches)
Unthreaded
Slightly larger than the US version
The ring is either flat or ridged and measures approximately 1 cm wide
Slides over the lamp holder and is secured by one or two shade rings
Also known as an ES (Edison Screw or European Standard) fitting
Found on all Needcraft Lampshade Making Kits and Lampshade Frames and European lampshades, including those sold by retailers like IKEA

US Slip UNO Fitting/Fitter

The inner ring diameter is usually 3.2 cm (1.25 inches)
Smaller than the Euro Fitting / Fitter
Unthreaded
Flat metal ring
Slides over the lamp holder and is secured by one or two shade rings
Sits at the bottom of the shade, therefore more common table lamps
Found on US produced lampshades

US Threaded UNO Fitting/Fitter

The inner ring diameter is usually 3.2 cm (1.25 inches)
Smaller than the European UNO Fitting / Fitter
Thicker in depth, than a European UNO Fitting / Fitter
Threaded (although unthreaded versions are available)
Commonly sits at the top of the lampshade and can be used for pendant lamps and hanging style floor lamps, or table lamps, such as arc or goose neck lamps

Other Lampshade Reducers and Convertors

Whether you're looking for a lampshade that fits a UK, or US Harp and Finial fitting, we have a selection of reducer rings and fitting systems to ensure your beautiful and bespoke lampshade will light up your room.