Beatrice Lang
Choosing the right light bulb for your fixture can be challenging, given the variety of bulb sizes and shapes available. Light bulbs are identified using a code, with letters indicating their shape and special features, and numbers denoting their size. The most familiar base is the Edison screw base, found on most incandescent bulbs, with common terms being medium, intermediate, candelabra, and mogul. The Edison base is also denoted by the letter E, followed by a number indicating the diameter of the base in millimetres. For example, E26, E12, and E39 are common Edison base codes. Other base types include the GU10, which features two pins that lock into place with a twist, and the MR16, which uses a bi-pin base.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Most common base types for MR bulbs within low-voltage AC/DC systems | GX5.3 bi-pin, GZ4 bi-pin, and GU10 bi-pin for 120-volt systems |
| Fluorescent light bulb sizes | T8, T5, and T12 |
| T8 and T12 fluorescent tube lights | Commonly found in laundry rooms, kitchens, or garages |
| T8 and T12 fluorescent tube lights | Magnetic or electronic ballasts |
| Light bulb base code letters | Indicates the shape of the base |
| Light bulb base code numbers | Indicates the size of the base |
| E26 base | General home lighting |
| E27 base | European lighting |
| E12 base | Decorative lighting |
| E17 base | Specialty lighting |
| GU10 base | Spotlights |
| MR16 base | Accent lighting |
| GU24 base | Energy-efficient lighting fixtures |
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What You'll Learn
- Screw base sizes: E5, E10, E11, E12, E14, E17, E26, E27, E39, and E40
- Pin bases: Used in linear fluorescents, compact fluorescent bulbs, and MR16s
- E26: The standard base size for household lighting
- E27: Similar to E26, but common in Europe
- GU10: A bi-pin base used in track lighting and recessed downlights
Screw base sizes: E5, E10, E11, E12, E14, E17, E26, E27, E39, and E40
The base of a light bulb connects it to its power source and holds it in place. Screw base sizes are categorized using a letter-number combination, with "E" denoting an Edison screw and the number indicating the diameter of the base in millimetres. Here is a detailed description of the screw base sizes E5, E10, E11, E12, E14, E17, E26, E27, E39, and E40:
E5
The E5 bulb, also known as the Midget Screw, is a miniature lamp base type.
E10
The E10 bulb base is commonly used in night lights, indicator lights, and some decorative lighting applications.
E11
The E11 bulb base is typically used for decorative and general lighting purposes.
E12
The E12 bulb base is often used for LED light bulbs, including candle-shaped and tubular varieties.
E14
The E14 bulb base is commonly used for LED light bulbs, decorative lights, and tube lights.
E17
The E17 bulb base is used for a variety of lighting applications, including general, LED, and specialty lights.
E26
The E26 bulb base is commonly used for LED light bulbs and a wide range of lighting applications, such as corn cob, reflector, globe, and candle-shaped bulbs.
E27
The E27 bulb base is a standard size for LED light bulbs and is often used for Edison screw-type bulbs, offering compatibility with a wide voltage range.
E39 and E40
The E39 and E40 bulb bases are commonly used for LED high bay lights and are available in various packs and wattages.
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Pin bases: Used in linear fluorescents, compact fluorescent bulbs, and MR16s
Pin bases are commonly used in linear fluorescent bulbs, compact fluorescent bulbs, and MR16 bulbs. These bases are designed to fit specific sockets and are identified by light bulb base codes, where the letter denotes the shape and the number denotes the size.
Linear fluorescent bulbs, also known as tubular fluorescent lights, are part of the T and LFL groups and are identified by their diameter and length. For example, a T8 bulb has a diameter of one inch (8/8 inch), while a T5 bulb has a diameter of 5/8 inch. These bulbs typically use a bi-pin base, which means they have two pins that insert into a socket with two pin placements. The Medium Bi-Pin G13 base is used in T8, T10, and T12 bulbs, while the Miniature Bi-Pin base is used in the smaller T5 bulbs.
Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) can also be pin-based or screw-based. The pin-based CFLs are designated by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) using a generic system that includes the prefix "CF," the shape, wattage, and base designation. This system helps users identify and cross-reference bulb types between manufacturers.
MR16 bulbs, which are commonly used in low-voltage AC/DC systems, often feature a bi-pin base as well. The GX5.3 bi-pin and GZ4 bi-pin are the most common base types for MR bulbs, while the GU10 bi-pin is used in 120-volt systems.
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E26: The standard base size for household lighting
E26 bulbs are the standard base size for household lighting. The 'E' in E26 stands for Edison Screw, the most standard type of lamp base, and the '26' refers to the diameter of the base in millimetres (approximately 1 inch). E26 bulbs are also commonly referred to as Medium Edison Screws (MES).
E26 bulbs are some of the most widely used lamp bases in North America, Japan, and other countries that use 120V AC. They are commonly used in kitchens, garages, bedrooms, bathrooms, and in floor lamps, desk lamps, ceiling lamps, and fans. E26 bulbs are available in various wattages, including 5W, 8.5W, and 9.5W.
The E26 designation only refers to the base of the bulb, or the contact point with the lampholder. A wide range of bulbs and lamps can use an E26 base, despite having different shapes and sizes. For example, A19 LED lamps, BR LED lamps, and PAR LED lamps frequently use E26 bases.
To install an E26 bulb, align the lamp's screw with the fixture socket and rotate the lamp clockwise until it is fully secure. The screw threads provide mechanical support and act as the neutral electrical path, while a metal contact point at the bottom of the screw acts as the "hot" or "live" electrical input.
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E27: Similar to E26, but common in Europe
There are tens of unique bases for light bulbs. The most familiar is the Edison screw base, found on most incandescent bulbs and many halogen, compact fluorescent, HID, and LED bulbs. The Edison screw base is typically referred to as the "single contact" due to the presence of a single contact button at the centre of the base. The letter 'E' in the bulb base code denotes the Edison screw base, and the number following the 'E' indicates the diameter of the base in millimetres.
The E27 base type is very similar to the E26 base type, which is commonly used for general home lighting in household fixtures. However, the E27 base type is more common in Europe. The E27 bulbs are designed to fit into European fixtures and can be used in E26 sockets as well, but it is crucial to ensure that the fixture's voltage requirements are compatible.
The E27 base code indicates that the base diameter is 27 millimetres. This base type is commonly used in European lighting fixtures and offers high energy efficiency when used with LED or CFL bulbs. It is important to note that while the E27 and E26 bases are almost identical in size, there may be slight differences, so it is essential to ensure that your fixture can accommodate the specific base type.
The E27 base type is widely used in Europe and is designed to fit European lighting fixtures. It is important to check the voltage requirements of your fixture before using an E27 bulb to ensure compatibility and avoid any electrical issues. By understanding the specific base type and its compatibility with your fixture, you can make an informed choice to meet your lighting needs.
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GU10: A bi-pin base used in track lighting and recessed downlights
GU10 is a bi-pin base type used for mains-voltage applications. The designation GU10 refers to a twist-and-lock base with two pins spaced 10mm apart. GU10 bulbs are commonly used in spotlights, downlights, and track lighting.
GU10 bulbs are often LED bulbs, which are known for their energy efficiency and long life. LED bulbs use an array of discrete mid-power LEDs or a COB LED package. The colour quality of GU10 lamps is an important performance characteristic. The correlated colour temperature (CCT) of the light and the consistency of colour from one product to another are key considerations when selecting a GU10 bulb.
GU10 bulbs are also available as smart bulbs, which can be controlled via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or a smart home hub. These bulbs offer features such as dimming, colour temperature adjustment, and remote access. Smart GU10 bulbs work with voice assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, enabling voice control and smart home integration.
In terms of housing, GU10 LED bulbs typically feature either an aluminium or thermoplastic housing. Aluminium housings provide high efficiency in heat dissipation for the LEDs, but galvanic isolation from the input circuit is necessary to prevent electric shock. Thermoplastic housings, on the other hand, are commonly found on products operated by non-isolated drivers or linear power supplies that do not contain galvanic isolation.
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Frequently asked questions
The standard base size for light bulbs is E26, which is 26 millimetres or 1 inch.
The most common base types are:
- E26/E27: Used for general home lighting in most household fixtures.
- E12: Used for decorative lighting in chandeliers and sconces.
- E17: Used for specialty lighting in appliances and desk lamps.
- GU10: Used for spotlights and recessed downlights.
- MR16: Used for accent lighting with a bi-pin base.
Light bulbs are identified using a code. The letters indicate the shape and any special features, while the numbers indicate the size in eighths of an inch. For example, an A19 bulb is a standard household shape with a diameter of 19/8 inches.
A-type bulbs are the traditional standard for household lighting, with the most common sizes being A19 and A60.
The GU24 base system is designed to replace the Edison socket and base in energy-efficient lighting fixtures to meet ENERGY STAR requirements. These bulbs are not backward compatible with screw-based bulbs and guarantee higher energy efficiency.
