Have you ever found yourself shopping for screw base light bulbs but with no clue as to what will fit your fixture? There are two things you must keep in mind. Firstly, you must know the base type of bulb you want to replace. If you are finding a bulb for a new fixture, you can find this out by checking the diameter of the lamp holder. Secondly, you must consider the size and shape of the bulb you want. Differently shaped bulbs are better suited for certain applications and stylistic designs. This article will address the first concern: how to distinguish the different screw base types.
How do you distinguish between light bulb base sizes?
Screw-bases are named after the inventor of the Edison screw socket: Thomas Edison. They’re defined by the letter E (Edison) followed by a number referring to the lamp holder width in millimeters. There are several types of screw bases, including E26, E27, E12, E14, E17, and E39. Each base type also has a descriptive term that denotes the thread size: medium or standard, intermediate, candelabra, and mogul.
After you know the screw base type you need, decide what shape and size of the bulb you want. LED bulbs are described with a letter or series of letters denoting the bulb series and a number referring to the diameter of the bulb in eighths of an inch. Understand the different light bulb shapes and sizes here.
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E26/E27 Medium – Edison 26-mm or 27-mm Diameter
Bulbs with E26/E27 bases are the most popular of all screw-base bulbs. E26 base bulbs are primarily used in North America, while E27 bulbs are more commonly used in Europe, Asia, Australia, and South America. Bulbs with these base types can be used interchangeably, although E26 and E27 sockets are rated for different voltages. E26 and E27 base bulbs 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.
E12 bulbs, also known as Miniature Edison Screws (MES), have a 12mm diameter screw base. Many bulbs with these bases are designed to mimic the look of a candle flame. Bulbs with E12 bases are commonly used for decorative lighting applications, such as chandeliers, wall sconces, Christmas lights, restaurant pendant lights, ornamental lights, residential or commercial string lights, and night lights.
Common bulbs with E12 bases:
Small tube-shaped bulbs: T8, T6, T22
Candle-flame-shaped bulbs: C7, C9, CA10, B10
Small globe-shaped bulbs: G14, G16, G50
Blunt-tipped bulbs: B10, B11, BA11
E14 European – Edison 14-mm Diameter
E14 base bulbs are often referred to as Small Edison Screws (SES). They are popular in Europe and other markets for small light fixtures and spaces where a compact bulb is necessary. Popular applications for E14 screw base bulbs include chandeliers, wall sconces, lamps, Christmas lights, restaurant pendant lights, ornamental lights, residential or commercial string lights, sign and marquee lights, night lights, and bathroom vanities.
E17 intermediate base bulbs can be used for appliance lights, such as microwave lights, refrigerator lights, and range hood lights. They’re also found in ceiling fan light fixtures and desk lamps. Similar to E12 candelabra bulbs, bulbs with E17 bases are also used for decorative applications, such as chandeliers, wall sconces, Christmas lights, pendant lights, ornamental lights, and sign or marquee lights. These base types are not widely common in the US.
Common bulbs with E17 bases:
A-shaped bulbs: A15
Small tube-shaped bulbs: T8, T6.5, T22
Candle-flame-shaped bulbs: C7, C9
Small globe-shaped bulbs: G14, G16, G50
Marquee and sign bulbs: S11
E39/E40 Mogul – Edison 39-mm or 40-mm Diameter
E39/EX39 bases are primarily used in North America, while E40 bases are popular in Europe and other markets. EX39 base bulbs can operate in E39 and EX39 lamp holders since EX39s have a longer tip, but E39 base bulbs cannot operate in EX39 lamp holders. These powerful, energy-efficient 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. LED E39/EX39 base bulbs typically have a cylindrical shape like ED and BT HID bulbs. Another popular type of E39/EX39 screw base bulb is the LED corn bulb, which resembles a corn cob. E39 and E40 base bulbs can be used interchangeably, however, keep in mind that their respective sockets are rated for different voltages.
Common bulbs with E39/E40 bases:
PAR bulbs: PAR38
Blown tubular bulbs: BT37, BT56
Elliptical dome bulbs: ED17, ED28, ED37
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There are several types of screw bases, including E26, E27, E12, E14, E17, and E39. Each base type also has a descriptive term that denotes the thread size: medium or standard, intermediate, candelabra, and mogul. After you know the screw base type you need, decide what shape and size of the bulb you want.
These two standards are interchangeable, meaning a US E26 will fit in a European E27 base, and E27 will fit in a E26 base. The only difference is the voltage (for light bulbs). In fact there is only 1 mm difference between the threads of E26 and E27, so they are virtually identical.
The Candelabra base is also called an e12 base. You usually find that light bulbs with a Candelabra or e12 base are found in chandeliers, small nightlights, and small decorative bulbs. This type of light bulb base is less than half the size of a Medium/e26 light bulb base.
Intermediate: E17 (17 mm in diameter) is in between two sizes. It is often used in desk lights and appliance bulbs, albeit it is not widely available. Medium or Standard: E26 (26 mm in diameter) is the size of the majority of light bulbs used in the United States.
Yes, they are interchangeable. The difference between E26 and A19 is simply a matter of size and shape. The base type for standard A19 light bulbs is E26. A19 bulbs have an E26 base and will fit into sockets approved for Edison bulbs.
In general, bulbs with an E27 designation are safe to use in E26 lampholders, but E26 bulbs may pose an electrical safety hazard when used in E27 lampholders and 240V AC. This is because E26 bulb bases are assumed to only receive voltages up to 120V AC, and not 240V AC.
The E26 is the standard thread size group for bulbs in North America. In Europe it is E27. The number following the letter E is the diameter of the external thread screw in mm. So, for an E26 bulb, the diameter of the base is 26 mm, while the E27 has a base diameter of 27 mm.
The common names and sizes of various E-style bases are as follows: E39 - Mogul base measures 39 mm (1.535 in). E26 - Medium base measures 26 mm (1.024 in). E17 - Intermediate base measures 17 mm (0.669 in).
The most common light bulb base type is an E26, also called a medium base. This is the standard base used in lamps and fixtures for traditional 60-watt incandescent bulbs.
The answer is sometimes. Sometimes an E26 base will fit into an E27 socket, while other times an E26 base will have one extra tread, preventing it from reaching the bottom of the socket and forming a connection.
The numbers of the bulb indicate its base size, which is based on its diameter at its widest point, measured in eighths of an inch (⅛”). For example: An A19 bulb indicates that the bulb comes in a standard household shape (code A), and the '19' indicates that the base is 19/8ths inches in size.
B11 Light Bulb – The B11 light bulb carries a decorative flame design slightly larger than the B10, making it suitable for a range of ornamental fixtures. Its “B” stands for Blunt Tip or B shape, while “11” indicates its diameter in eighths of an inch, translating to about 1.375 inches.
Here's a breakdown of light bulb color temperature: Soft white (2,700 to 3,000 Kelvin) is warm and yellow, the typical color range you get from incandescent bulbs. This light gives a warm and cozy feeling and is often best for living rooms, dens and bedrooms. Warm white (3,000 to 4,000 Kelvin) is more yellowish-white.
E26 is also commonly referred to as a Medium Edison Screw (MES). An E26 bulb, therefore, is any bulb or lamp that utilizes the E26 cap or base for mounting and electrical contact. You can most instantly recognize an E26 bulb by looking at the bottom, or non-light emitting side of the bulb.
Soft white light bulbs, which are between 2,000 and 3,000 Kelvins, are slightly lower in temperature and emit a warm and cozy light. Daylight bulbs come in a few notches higher on the scale—between 5,500 and 6,500 Kelvins—and therefore have a cleaner, more pure white tone.
E26 base bulbs are primarily used in North America, while E27 bulbs are more commonly used in Europe, Asia, Australia, and South America. Bulbs with these base types can be used interchangeably, although E26 and E27 sockets are rated for different voltages.
The most common type of light bulb here in the United States has what is referred to as a “Medium” base or “Standard” base. The word “base” is referring to the threaded part of the light bulb that screws into the socket. A Medium or Standard base light bulb is also referred to as an E26 base light bulb.
E26 is the size of most light bulbs used in the United States of America. It is referred to as having a standard base. E26 is considered as the standard because the holders or bulb sockets in the US have the size of an E26 base.
All light bulbs have a code to identify their type of fitting. The letters tend to stand for the name of the fitting and the numbers are the diameter of the fitting in millimetres. For example, an E27 is an Edison Screw bulb with a diameter of 27 millimetres.
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