How To Tell Light Bulb Base Size?
Today, our homes are filled with the latest lighting technology such as LEDs and FCL. You will find bulbs in forms or shapes and in places that you may even not expect. Lighting offers you convenience and safety in dark places, while it is also a headache when you need to replace the bulbs because light bulb bases are diverse in shapes and sizes too! Here is a guide that contains everything you need to know about how to tell light bulb base size.
How to tell light bulb base size?
There are ways to identify the sizes and shapes of bulbs used in your home lighting fixtures. It depends on the lighting ways you purchase the bulbs for, and you could tell light bulb base size by the lighting fixtures. In American, for example, you will find the bulb bases are small in chandelier light and they are mostly Edison screw-in base and 12 millimeters width. But the base of a spotlight or a downlight is the mostly plug-in type and in U shape, which is also called GU10 base. While in decorative lighting or some hanging light, the G9 base which has two pins with two holes is also commonly used.
While for a better understanding of a light bulb base and its size, you need to know what types and sizes a light bulb would have.
Types of bulb bases
In general, light bulb bases in-home lighting can be divided into two types. They are Edison screw base and specialty base which includes GU bases and G bases.
Edison screw bulbs refer to bulbs that have based with screw threads. Edison screw base is the most common type base you could find in your home lighting and appliances which has a function to light up your views. For example, a refrigerator, an oven, and a dryer.
Specialty base such as GU10, GU24, refers to a plug-in type bulb’s base. Generally, “G” stands for the "plug-in" type, “U” stands for U-shape, and the number behind GU means the foot hole center distance is 10 millimeters or 24 millimeters. GU10 or GU24 light bulbs are always used under high voltage conditions and they could be used both at home and in commercial spaces.
Another specialty base is the G base. As is mentioned above, “G” stands for the "plug-in" type base, so G base bulbs also have two bi-pins. The number after G also means the foot hole center distance between the bi-pins.
Sizes of bulb bases
The size of bulb bases is sometimes a tricky thing to identify when we are purchasing replacement bulbs for our home lighting. The number behind the letters means the actual size of the bulb base. And a bigger size mostly refers to a high voltage and higher wattage. For example, E26 means that the screw base is 26 millimeters in diameter and they are suitable for standard voltage at home. While E40 is usually used in commercial spaces or workshops where a brighter light is needed to facilitate the work.
Edison bases like E26, E27, and E12 or specialty base GU10 and G9 are mostly used in domestic appliances and light fixtures. And it’s very easy to confuse when you need to pick out one bulb from them.
The good news is here are a few tips for you that may offer a little help. In America, many fixtures are designed to work with both E26 and E27 bases. So you could use an E26 base bulb or E27 bulbs as a replacement. G9 and E12, though in different base types, they are both designed for small size bulb in a small chandelier or decorative lighting. And GU10 bulbs, as it is mentioned, are mostly seen in the spotlight and downlight.
Recommendation
The sizes of bulb bases vary greatly in different countries and in different applications. Each region has its own standard. This adds more difficulties in selecting bulbs from online stores. But things would be much easier if you could find a brand that is specialized in American lighting. And LOHAS LED is one of the brands that produce bulbs according to American standards.
At LOHAS LED, you will find we cover almost everything about lighting that you may need. We have regular bulbs for illumination, an A15 light bulb for home appliances, and grow lights to boost plants growth.
Regular bulbs and another lighting including outdoor solar lights and grow light bulbs are all designed with a standard E26 base, matching perfectly for your existing home light fixtures. In addition to the standard base, we also offer high-quality products and rest assured after-sale service. All there will save you much time and effort to replace the light bulbs in your home. Want to know more about LOHAS LED and our lights? Click here LOHAS and discover more!