Light bulbs and sockets must be matched to each other. The light bulb will not function if the base of the light bulb dont fit into the light bulb socket. There are many different type of light bulbs and light bulb sockets.
The socket categorizes the light bulb sockets according to the way in which the light bulb base connect to the electricity within the socket. If the type of light bulb that is purchased does not match the type of socket within the fixture, the light bulb will not fit into the socket, and the light bulb will not illuminate. Screw based light bulb sockets are the most common type of socket for light fixtures.
How to Match Light Bulbs to Sockets
These types of sockets uses threads to secure the light bulb into the socket. The most common type of screw-based light bulb socket uses a medium sized screw base that is used in table and floor lamp. Smaller screw-based sockets, called candelabra bases, are used in decorative fixtures like chandeliers and ceiling fans because the bases for these light bulbs are small in size.
Large screw-based light bulb sockets are used in industrial fixtures in warehouses. These large screw-based light bulb sockets can handle the high level of heat that heavy industrial machinery generate. You must check the diameter of the screw base of the light bulb to make sure that it will fit into the screw-based light bulb socket.
Bayonet light bulb sockets are common in the United Kingdom and Australia. The pins on these sockets locks the light bulb into the socket. To insert a light bulb into a bayonet socket, the light bulb must be pushed into the socket and then rotate a quarter-turn to lock the light bulb into place.
Bayonet sockets are more different than screw-based light bulb sockets in that they do not use threads to secure the light bulbs into the sockets. Pin-based light bulb sockets use metal pins to connect the light bulb to the electricity within the socket. The pins on the light bulb must be equally spaced to match the pins within the light bulb socket.
Pin-based light bulb sockets are used for low-voltage lights, such as those installed under kitchen cabinets. The pins on these sockets are very close together. Pin-based lights are also used in fluorescent light tubes that has pins on both ends of the light tube.
Pin-based light bulbs should not be used in fixtures that use screw-based light bulbs, and you should not use screw-based light bulbs in pin-based light sockets. Adapters exist that allow for different types of light bulbs to be connected to different types of sockets. Adapters exist that will allow a medium screw-based light bulb to be inserted into a candelabra screw-based socket.
Additionally, there are adapters that will allow bayonet light bulbs to be inserted into screw-based sockets, allowing for the replacement of incandescent light bulbs in fixtures in countries outside of those where bayonet sockets are common. However, when using these adapters, its important to ensure that the wattage of the light bulb is within the limits for that fixture, as the adapter can create heat when the wattage is too high for that particular fixture. Additionally, it is also important to ensure that the light bulb have enough physical clearance within the lamp fixture when using an adapter.
In many cases, if the light bulb in a fixture flickers, the issue is with the wiring or the connection within the light bulb socket. With screw-based light bulbs, electricity is conducted through the center tab and the metal shell of the socket. If the connection between these two components and the light bulb is loose, it is possible for the light bulb to flicker.
In this case, simply re-inserting the light bulb into the socket may solve the issue with the fixture. You should of ensure that the base of the light bulb matches the base of the socket within the fixture before purchasing the light bulbs.
