Physical characteristics

Bulb shapes, sizes, and terms

Incandescent light(3528 SMD Flexible Strip with Non-waterproof 5 Meters 150 LEDS) bulbs come in a range of shapes and sizes. The names of the shapes may be slightly different in some regions. Many of these shapes have a designation consisting of one or more letters followed by one or more numbers, e.g. A55 or PAR38. The letters represent the shape of the bulb. The numbers represent the maximum diameter, either in 1⁄8 of an inch, or in millimetres, depending on the shape and the region. For example, 63 mm reflectors are designated R63, but in the U.S. they are known as R20 (2.5 in). However, in both regions, a PAR38 reflector is known as PAR38. In Australia an R80 is 1 in in diameter.

Common shapes:

General Service

Light emitted in (nearly) all directions. Available either clear or frosted.

Types: General (A), Mushroom

High Wattage General Service

Lamps greater than 200 watts.

Types: Pear-shaped (PS)

Decorative

lamps used in chandeliers, etc.

Types: candle (B), twisted candle, bent-tip candle (CA & BA), flame (F), fancy round (P), globe (G)

Reflector (R)

Reflective coating inside the bulb directs light forward. Flood types (FL) spread light. Spot types (SP) concentrate the light. Reflector (R) bulbs put approximately double the amount of light (foot-candles) on the front central area as General Service (A) of same wattage.

Types: Standard reflector (R), elliptical reflector (ER), crown-silvered

Parabolic aluminized reflector (PAR)

Parabolic aluminized reflector (PAR) bulbs control light more precisely. They produce about four times the concentrated light intensity of general service (A), and are used in recessed and track lighting. Weatherproof casings are available for outdoor spot and flood fixtures.

120 V sizes: PAR 16, 20, 30, 38, 56 and 64

230 V sizes: Par 38, 56 and 64

Available in numerous spot and flood beam spreads. Like all light bulbs, the number represents the diameter of the bulb in 1⁄8 of an inch. Therefore, a PAR 16 is 2 in in diameter, a PAR 20 is 2.5 in in diameter, PAR 30 is 3.75 in and a PAR 38 is 4.75 in in diameter.

Multifaceted reflector (MR)

HIR

“HIR” is a GE designation for a lamp with an infrared reflective coating. Since less heat escapes, the filament burns hotter and more efficiently.[70] The Osram designation for a similar coating is “IRC”.[71]

Lamp bases

40-watt light bulbs with standard E10, E14 and E27 Edison screw base

Very small lamps may have the filament support wires extended through the base of the lamp, and can be directly soldered to a printed circuit board for connections. Some reflector-type lamps include screw terminals for connection of wires. Most lamps have metal bases that fit in a socket to support the lamp and conduct current to the filament wires. In the late 19th century, manufacturers introduced a multitude of incompatible lamp bases. General Electric introduced standard base sizes for tungsten incandescent lamps under the Mazda trademark in 1909. This standard was soon adopted across the United States, and the Mazda name was used by many manufacturers under license through 1945. Today most incandescent lamps for general lighting service use an Edison screw in candelabra, intermediate, or standard or mogul sizes, or double contact bayonet base. Bayonet base lamps are frequently used in automotive lamps to resist loosening due to vibration. A bipin base is often used for halogen or reflector lamps.

Lamp bases may be secured to the bulb with a cement, or by mechanical crimping to indentations molded into the glass bulb.

The double-contact bayonet cap on an incandescent bulb

Miniature lamps used for some automotive lamps or decorative lamps have wedge bases that have a partial plastic or even completely glass base. In this case, the wires wrap around to the outside of the bulb, where they press against the contacts in the socket. Miniature Christmas bulbs use a plastic wedge base as well.

Lamps intended for use in optical systems (such as film projectors, microscope illuminators, or stage lighting instruments have bases with alignment features so that the filament is positioned accurately within the optical system. A screw-base lamp may have a random orientation of the filament when the lamp is installed in the socket.

Recommend LED Strip: 3528 SMD Flexible Strip with waterproof 5 Meters 300 LEDS and 3528 SMD Flexible Strip with Non-waterproof 5 Meters 300 LEDS