Abstract: A socket for a compact fluorescent lamp which includes two or more parallel tubes that share a common base, said base including at least two terminal pins and retaining means for engagement with the socket, has a housing including a back wall, a front wall, with top and bottom walls and two side walls extending from said back wall and forward of said front wall, thereby defining a front opening for receiving said lamp base. Channels are formed in said housing enclosing conductive terminals for receiving each of said terminal pins in electrically conductive engagement. Said front wall defines openings through which the terminal pins project for engagement with said conductive terminals.