A lampholder for use with cold cathode lamps intended to be wired in a parallel configuration includes an insulating bulb-end receptacle mounted in a conductor housing. The receptacle is divided into a pair of individual bulb-end receiving portions, each of which is provided with a conductive clip which establishes electrical contact with an inserted bulb. At least one of the clips is in two sections which are configured as switch contacts in series with the mains side of a ballast for the lamps. Insertion of a lamp into the clip closes the switch contacts, establishing the mains circuit and allowing high-voltage to be generated and applied to the lamps. The lampholder insures that high-voltage is not produced unless a lamp is in place.