Light bulb bases is the parts of the bulb that allow it to attach to a fixture. The type of light bulb base that you use with the light bulb will determine if the light bulb will physically fit into the fixture. If the wrong base is used for the fixture, the bulb will not attach to the fixture, and the fixture may develop electrical issues more themselfs.
Each type of light bulb base use a coding system to indicate both the type of base and the size of the base. The letters within the code indicates the type of connection for the base, while the numbers indicates the size of the base in millimeters. Edison screw light bulb bases are the most common form of base, as they require simply screw the base into the socket within the fixture.
How to Choose the Right Light Bulb Base
These type of bases are common in homes, as they tend to be the most reliable form of base. The letter “E” in the code indicate that the base is an Edison screw base. The number following the letter “E” indicates the width of the threads in the base in millimeters.
For example, small Edison screw light bulbs are used in chandeliers, while larger Edison screw bulbs are used in table lamp. Pin bases uses two metal prongs that insert into a fixture. Pin bases are often used in spotlights and low-voltage lighting installation.
The distance between those prongs will determine how the pin base will fit into the socket within the fixture. Bayonet bases require the insertion of the light bulb into the fixture, after which the user twists the base to lock it in place. These types of bases are common in certain region of the world, as they are less likely to become dislodged from the fixture if the fixture is bumped.
The base of a light bulb must match the voltage of the electrical system in the area. For instance, North America use 120 volts, while much of the remainder of the world uses 220 to 240 volts. Even if the base of the bulb fits the socket within the light fixture, the bulb will not successfully illuminate without matching voltage to the electrical system.
Additionally, some bases may appear to be of the same type as others, but may have different measurement of the base. It is important to ensure that the base of the bulb matches these measurement. Not all light bulb bases are created equally, and each base is used in different type of lighting fixtures.
For instance, candelabra bases are used in decorative lighting fixtures like chandeliers. Medium (screw) bases are used for standard lighting fixtures in the home. Twist-lock pin bases are used in areas where vibration are common, such as in the kitchen or in art galleries.
Finally, low-voltage pin bases are used in under-cabinet lights and in landscape lighting installations. If a base and socket do not match, you can use an adapter to connect the light bulb to the socket. Adapters exist that will allow a small light bulb base to be placed into a larger socket, and those that can convert screw bases into pin bases exist.
However, these type of adapters will not change the voltage that is delivered to the base of the light bulb. Thus, regardless of the use of an adapter, it is essential to ensure that the light bulb matches the voltage of the electrical system. When replacing a light bulb in a fixture, it is necessary to ensure that the base of the new bulb matches that of the old bulb.
You can read the code for the base of the old light bulb on the base of the old bulb, or it can be measured to ensure that the size of the base matches. By using the correct type of base for the light bulb, it will correctly fit into the light fixture, and it will function appropriate. Any other type of base will cause the bulb not to function correctly, may produce excess heat, and may fail premature.
Thus, ensuring that the light bulb base matches the fixture will ensure that the fixture performs in the manner in which it is intended to perform.
