The y splitter will maximize your lamps potential, if it says 60 watts max then you can get up to 3 18w bulbs going on there(54w), or 2 23w, 1 42w & an 18w, etc. but never go above the listing. Not sure if you can get the lamp socket attached to a cord except with the clamp lamps really but those should be like $15 and it's not hard to wire a socket its 2 wires and 2 screws. Hope that helps your confusion