All of the bulbs in these groups resemble the shape of a candle flame and are often referred to as candle bulbs. What are Light Dimmers and Which Type of Light Bulbs are Dimmable? Most light bulbs used in the home use an Edison Screw Base. From Wikipedia on the Edison Screw Base: "The Edison screw fitting is a system of screw mounts used for light bulbs, developed by Thomas Edison and licensed starting in 1909 under the Mazda … Pin bases are mainly used in linear fluorescents, plug-in compact fluorescent bulbs, MR16s, and a few types of HID light bulbs. A-19 and A-21 light bulbs, which are most 60 watt and 75 watt light bulbs respectively, are two common examples of "A" bulbs. This is designated by the "E" in the first letter of the base description. This article will briefly cover each category and provide you some useful information so that you actually know which type of bulb you need for different situations and fixtures. This guide is organized by series, with information about other common names, sizes (including light bulb size charts for each series), typical uses, and popular caps and bases. Blogger, editor, developer who loves green living. There are several types of screw bases. Bulbs with this shape have a bulged base that attenuates to a rounded tip. Modern light bulbs can be used in a variety of fixtures, and each fixture has its own particular requirements of size and shape of the bulb that it is compatible with. Bulbs with these base types are available in many different styles. The first designation is the shape of the bulb, the second is the base. “A” type bulb shapes are standard types for household lighting but you will see different variations and types of them. If you do not see the base type you are looking for, give us a call at 800.784.1998, and we can help you locate the correct bulb. For non-imperial measured bulbs, the number after the bulb shape is the number of centimeters at the widest point of the bulb. The cap or base of a light bulb joins the bulb to the lamp socket in order to provide an electrical connection. Screw in bulbs use a base called an Edison Screw or ES base. They are commonly used for general lighting in standard light fixtures, such as ceiling lights, lamps, can lights, outdoor spotlight and flood light fixtures, and vanity lights. Each of the base types work differently as their main function is to connect the light bulb to the electrical voltage and the technology of how it is achieved is different in each case. B and C-shaped bulbs. Find the light bulb base type you’re looking for with this visual chart- detailed illustrations of general bases, fluorescent bases and specialty halogen base types. These powerful bulbs have high light output and are used to replace HID bulbs in industrial fixtures, such as high-bay warehouse lights, parking lot lights, canopy lights, and wall packs. Tags: cfl bulbshalogen bulbshid lampshigh pressure sodium vapor lampsled bulbsmetal halide lamps. These bulbs come in various beam angles and they are widely used in spotlights and flood lights. My wife and I have installed new outdoor ceiling fans which require special candelabra bulbs. Our bulbs can be no longer than 3.25 inches in order to cant them sideways and then insert the bulb base into the receptacle to begin screwing down and into the receptacle. PAR (parabolic aluminized reflector) spotlight and flood light bulbs: PAR16, PAR20, PAR30, PAR38, BR (bulged reflector) spotlight and floodlight bulbs: BR20, BR30, BR40. The most familiar is the Edison screw base found on most incandescent bulbs and many halogen, compact fluorescent, HID and now LED bulbs. A light bulb’s series indicates its shape, followed by a number code that indicates the light bulb’s diameter in millimeters or one-eighths of an inch, depending on the type. If you see a metallic base with screw threads, approximately 1 inch in diameter, you most likely have an E26 bulb. Of course, such a variety of shapes and sizes can be not only overwhelming but even confusing, yet, the principles of how light bulbs are divided are, in fact, very logical and you will get the whole picture once you learn about all the possible types. So a bulb with an E26 base is 26 millimeters. For example, there are many different bulbs that are the same shape and even have similar looking bases, but those bases might be different sizes. Bulbs with these base types can be used interchangeably as there is only a 1-millimeter difference in base size. Bulbs with these bases are commonly used for appliance lights, such as microwave lights, refrigerator lights, and range hood lights. However, only three of all the shapes are widely used for everyday purposes (e.g. Your email address will not be published. The following infographic explores various components of a light bulb. Pay close attention to lumens, since this number indicates the brightness, or light output, of the bulb. ER – Extended reflector light bulb shape; K -Krypton or narrow reflector light bulb shape; PS – Elongated standard incandescent bulb. Light Bulb Bases. Light bulbs are identified by the diameter, length, shape, and screw type. Indeed, many lamps have their own unique base. Most CFL and LED replacements for incandescent lights will use the "E" base. Filament configurations such as the C13D (coiled, zig-zagged) emit far more light perpendicular to the zig-zag than parallel to it. LEDwatcher © 2015 - 2021. In an incandescent or halogen screw base light bulb, two contact wires link the filament to the base where the electrical voltage is connected to the bulb. The most common screw base sizes are E5, E-5, E10, E-10, E11, E-11, E12, E-12, E14, E-14, E17, E-17, E26, E-26, E27, E-27, E39, E-39, E40 and E-40. LED bulbs with these bases typically have a cylindrical shape like ED and BT HID bulbs. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. For example, C9/E17 means that the bulb is a C9 shape with an E17 base. Bulbs with these bases can be used interchangeably as there is only a 1-millimeter difference in base size. Your article had the MOST detailed and definitive information in one place for us to understand the many different light bulb shapes, sizes, and bases. The bulbs of this shape are very wide-spread in chandeliers, night lights, and lower wattage applications. The numbers refer to base width in millimeters. The number refers to the diameter of the base in millimeters. Different LED bulb shapes. Thank you again SO much for writing such a great and in-depth article! Required fields are marked *. All Rights Reserved. You can determine it by measuring the diameter of the base (the thickest parts). You might also hear them referred to as Edison base light bulbs. For LEDs, the PAR designation is used for defining the shape since most of the LEDs lack any have a reflective lower surface. A further explanation of the light bulb base sizes, you can look at the letter-number references (E12, E17, and E26) to help understand a bulbs base style and size. Altogether you can divide all the bulbs into 6 base types: Light bulb base types. Source – http://www.bulbs.com. This normally is in the form of letters followed by a number followed by an optional letter. It is used in most incandescent, halogen, CFL, CCFL, and HID light bulbs. Each bulb base should be paired with a light socket of the corresponding size. It refers to 26 millimeters (which is 1 inch). First you have to determine if it’s a screw, bayonet, wedge, or bi-pin base. E27 Medium A little larger than the common E26 medium base, this bulb base can still be used in most applications. Simply take your current incandescent watts and select the corresponding LED bulb equivalent on the lumens brightness scale. Light Bulbs, also known as lamps in the industry, come in a vast variety of sizes, shapes, and temperatures (colors) to allow for an array of fixtures, which need different bases … Screw-base bulbs, often called Edison bulbs, are named after their inventor—Thomas Edison. Electrical current then can pass through the pins and flow into the light bulb to excite the filament and produce light. 1 (888) 455-2800 Fax 1.508.363.2900. www.bulbs.com E26 bulbs are primarily used in North America while E27 bulbs are most... Common bulbs with E26/E27 bases:. Look at your fixture to determine its base type. Source – http://greenlivingideas.com. PAR-shaped bulbs. Most of the light bulbs that you buy in stores or online are going to have this kind of base. The bulbs have right-hand threaded metal bases (caps) which screw into matching threaded sockets (lamp holders). 115-volt airway beacon light bulb with a Mogul bi-post base With bi-post bases, the lamp orientation is fixed so that the filament will always be in the focal plane. the principles of how light bulbs are divided are, in fact, very logical. For instance, A-19 bulb means that it is s “A” type and the diameter would be 19/8″. The fan/light manual suggested a B10 bulb shape with an E12 base; max-40W. Bulbs.com. When thinking about the image of a typical bulb, most of the people picture that one sort of bulb many of us have been using all our childhood. In technical terms it is an A19 type bulb. Which Type of Light Bulbs Should be Considered Eco-Friendly? In an incandescent or halogen screw base light bulb, two contact wires link the filament to the base where the electrical voltage is connected to the bulb. In its root meaning, though, this is what it is: an object shaped like a flower bulb which produces light. E26 bulbs are primarily used in North America while E27 bulbs are most popular in Europe. The main diameter classifications are: As for the length, the bulbs are divided into S (short) and L (long) categories but not always you will see the length indicator mentioned in the product description. Bulbs By Base Type is a catalog of light bulbs whereby a bulb can be found by the type of base that the light bulb has. From top left to bottom right: B10 LED bulbs in wall sconce, CA10 LED bulbs in chandelier, C9 LED bulbs in Christmas light strings, C7 LED bulb in night light. Your lamp or fixture’s socket will dictate which cap or base a light bulb needs in order to fit, but there are a number of different base types and sizes to choose from, and it’s not always easy to determine which type is right for your fixture. In North America and Europe, these light bulb base types are the most common and widely used. A normal household light bulb is on average a 60 watt light bulb. Tel. There are four commonly used thread size groups for lamps: Candelabra: E12 North America, E11 in Europe. Screw bases are made in several sizes, and on the packaging you will see that they are referred to by a descriptive name and size. It’s easy enough to look at the bulb that you need to replace and shop for a bulb with a similar looking base, but how will you know for sure if the bases are identical? Bulbs with E14 bases are popular in Europe and China for chandeliers, wall sconces, lamps, Christmas lights, restaurant pendant lights, ornamental lights, residential or commercial string lights, sign and marquee lights, and night lights. Most common light bulb uses, including lamps, recessed flush mount flood lights are going to have one of the first three base types shown above. Source – wikipedia.org. 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