A lamp adapter for receiving a lamp having a conductive threaded portion and an extension with a conductive contact electrically insulated from the conductive threaded portion. The lamp adapter has a body with a top portion and a bottom portion. The top portion has a socket with a threaded sleeve adapted to receive the threaded portion of the lamp, a first lead electrically connected to the threaded sleeve, a cavity located with respect to the threaded sleeve so as to receive the extension of the lamp when the lamp is threaded into the threaded sleeve, a metal contact arm located within the cavity so as to make electrical contact with the conductive contact of the lamp when the lamp is threaded into the threaded sleeve, and a second lead electrically connected to the metal contact arm. The bottom portion has a threaded portion suitable for threading into a mating lamp socket, the threaded portion being electrically insulated from the top portion. The lamp adapter includes a recess located within the cavity and a coil spring disposed with a lower portion within the recess and an upper portion above the recess and within the cavity, wherein the metal contact arm is located in cooperation with the coil spring so as to be biased thereon and make contact with the conductive contact of the lamp when the lamp is threaded into the threaded sleeve. The metal contact arm is located with the cavity so as not to make contact with a conductive electrical contact on a lamp not having an extension.