Does the socket for this lamp need to be 4KV pulse rated or can I just use a standard ceramic or porcelain socket? I am going to use a 175 watt MV R40 in a standard floodlight lampholder that already has a ceramic socket (connected to the right ballast of course) and I was just wondering if I need to replace this socket or not. If it was HPS or MH I know I would have to use a 4KV socket but I don't think I need one with MV, right?

MV don't use a starting pulse so any conventional socket will be fine as long as the wattage ratings are observed.

That's what I thought but I wanted to be sure, thank you.

I did something foolish once.  I created a remote ballast setup by taking a 50W MV wall pack fixture and wired a two-pronged cord and connector to the ballast so that I could plug any table lamp into it and use the regular MV bulb in the lamp socket.

The cord to the lamp was 18AWG SPT-1 zip cord.

Was that dangerous to do?

It was way kewl to have a mercury vapor banker's lamp on my desk but a little bright and the UV light was intense.

Alex

18SPT-1 is rated for 5A 250V. I wouldn't recommend having hundreds of feet between it and the ballast, but it's safe as far as I can tell. I do something similar, but I try to limit the distance. I would say mind the socket wattages, but anything too high is mogul anyway.