Types of Light Bulbs: A Comprehensive Guide to 50 Different Light Bulb Types, Including Incandescent Bulbs

Introduction To Light Bulbs

Light bulbs are devices that produce light by converting electrical energy into visible electromagnetic radiation.

They are widely used in homes, businesses, and public spaces to provide illumination. Light bulbs come in various shapes and sizes, and the type of bulb you choose can impact the brightness, color temperature, and energy efficiency of the light produced.

There are several types of light bulbs available on the market today, including incandescent bulbs, halogen bulbs, compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs), and light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs.

Incandescent bulbs are the oldest and most common type of light bulb, but they are also the least efficient.

Halogen bulbs are a type of incandescent bulb that uses halogen gas to increase efficiency and lifespan.

CFLs are a more energy-efficient alternative to incandescent bulbs, while LED bulbs are the most energy-efficient and longest-lasting type of bulb available today.

When choosing a light bulb, it’s important to consider factors such as the bulb’s wattage, color temperature, and lifespan. Higher-wattage bulbs produce more light, but they also consume more energy.

Color temperature refers to the perceived “warmth” or “coolness” of the light produced by the bulb, with lower color temperatures producing warmer, yellow light and higher color temperatures producing cooler, bluer light.

Lifespan is an important consideration for LED bulbs, which can last up to 25,000 hours or more, compared to incandescent bulbs, which typically last only around 1,000 hours.

What Is Light Bulb?

The electric lamp’s glass portion that emits light while electricity is passed through it is known as a bulb. A light bulb is an electric light source which is also referred to as a lamp.

In the middle, there are two solid connecting wires with a thin wire connected between them. This thin wire is known as filament.

The bulb becomes fused when the thin wire filament breaks, and even a fused bulb does not glow.

The brightness, as well as the color of a light bulb, may change the look of a home as well as even your mood when you are in it.

As a result, buying an entire box of a similar light bulb as well as installing it around your home is not a good idea.

While most of us do not take enough consideration to house lighting, selecting the best light bulbs for your house may improve the mood, reduce your power bills, as well as also enhance your efficiency.

As a man-made fire, the electric light bulb has been considered the more valuable innovation. After sundown, the light bulb served to maintain social order, extending the workday well into the nighttime, as well as helping us to navigate and drive securely in the darkness. There would be no nightlife without a light bulb.

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Types Of Light Bulbs

New and innovative varieties of different Types of Light Bulbs are always being developed. The most common light bulb types as well as how we utilize them are shown here.

Light Bulbs According To Shape

• Incandescent lamp
• Halogen lamp
• Tube fluorescent lamp
• Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs)
• LED light bulb
• Globe LED bulb
• Sodium lamp
• Corn lamp
• LED strip light
• Mercury lamp
• Dimmer switch
• LED panel
• Spotlight bulb
• Circular fluorescent lamp
• Twisted fluorescent lamp
• Flame shape bulb
• Reflector
• Diode
• Fluorescent lamp
• Adapter

Types of Light Bulbs According To Sizes

• A series
• B series
• S series
• F series
• G series
• R series
• T series
• E series
• MR series
• ALR series
• BR series
• PAR series
• BT series
• ED series
• C-7/F series
• LINESTRA
• PS-25/PS-35
• RP,MB,BT

Light Bulb Bases

• E10 mini screw
• E11 mini candelabra
• E12 candelabra
• E14 European
• E17 intermediate
• E26 medium
• E27 medium
• E39 mogul
• E40 mogul
• EX39 extended mogul

Types of Light Bulbs According To Shape

Incandescent Lamp

The incandescent light bulb is an electric light supply that works on the principle of incandescence, it would be the emission of light produced by heating a filament. It is available in a huge variety of sizes, wattages, as well as voltages.

In an incandescent bulb, the tungsten filament is contained in a glass outer layer. The flow of electricity runs across the filament, heating it to the level where it gives light.

Incandescent lamps are popular in table lamps, corridor lighting, workstation lamps, closet lighting, decorative lighting, as well as chandeliers.

Halogen Lamp

The halogen light bulb often known as a halogen lamp is an incandescent lamp that utilizes a halogen gas to enhance either light output or recommended life.

In comparison to normal incandescent lights, they are noted for their relatively high efficiency, lighting quality, as well as high-rated life.

Halogen types of light bulbs can be used in a wide range of commercial as well as household uses. Halogen lamps are utilized in headlights, under-cabinet illumination, as well as industrial lights.

Moreover, halogen reflectors such as MR and PAR lamps are frequently used for directed illumination including spotlights as well as floodlights.

Tube Fluorescent Lamp

In comparison to conventional incandescent bulbs, these bulbs are mostly very costly to purchase. Therefore, because they have such a long lifespan, they generally pay for themselves over time. It can produce a great source of light; however, it is not dimmable. Unfortunately, it may start to blink as they age as well as may require to be changed.

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Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs)

A compact fluorescent lamp is often known as a compact fluorescent type of light bulb and is a form of a fluorescent lamp that is used to replace incandescent or halogen bulbs. The screw-in, as well as plug-in compact fluorescent lights, are the two main types of compact fluorescent lamps.

The screw-in lights are self-ballasted as well as may typically be inserted in an existing screw socket without any extra equipment, whereas plug-in bulbs need ballast as well as a socket that matches their unique base configuration. For screw bases, it is also known as integrated, whereas, for plug bases, it is known as non-integrated.

Both of these are noted for their efficiency, high durability, low price, as well as ease of updating, and are available in a wide range of sizes, wattages, color temperatures, and base varieties.

LED Light Bulb

The LED light bulb is also known as an LED lamp and it is an electric light that uses light-emitting diodes to generate light.

It is a common quickly growing technology, and the best uses for LED lighting are continuously changing. LED types of bulbs are presently well-suitable for uses such as signs and indications, night lamps, flashlights, undercabinet fixtures, as well as many recessed light/downlights uses where color temperature consistency is not required.

Globe LED Bulb

These bulbs are shaped like incandescent bulbs, but rather than filaments, they use LED technology, which is a perfect replacement for outdated lights in your house. They will significantly reduce the cost of lighting for your house or place of business as well as consume much lesser energy than conventional incandescent bulbs.

Sodium Lamp

Sodium is available in both high as well as low-pressure variants. The light produced by high-pressure sodium bulbs is reddish-yellow, whereas the light from low-pressure sodium bulbs is much more equally white. The light of a bulb is produced by exciting sodium.

Corn Lamp

An assembly of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) placed on a metal frame is known as a corn lamp. According to how the yellow LEDs are arranged on the fixture, which resembles corn kernels on a corn cob, these lights are also known as corn lamps.

For general use as well as industrial lighting purposes, corn lamps are a highly popular choice. To be available to satisfy almost every lighting application, these lights are available in a wide range of different wattage choices, base diameters, as well as physical dimensions.

The most typical uses of corn types of light bulbs include household lighting, warehouse lighting, commercial and retail spaces, municipal and school lighting, garage lighting, walkway lighting, industrial lighting, and security lighting.

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LED Strip Light

The flexible circuit board filled with LEDs which you can attach to practically any place you wish to provide intense lighting in a range of colors as well as brightness is known as an LED strip light.

It is useful for applications like cove lighting, inside furniture, and kitchen cabinets because the strip may be hidden, as well as it can be utilized for underwater illumination due to its simplicity of installation.

The LED Strips can also be referred to as LED Ribbons because of their look, which is similar to a ribbon.

This is flexible enough to bend both horizontally and vertically, enabling you to adapt to any architectural curve as well as providing shadow-free, seamless illumination.

Mercury Lamp

The high-intensity discharge lamp would be the mercury-vapor lamp. It produces extremely brilliant light directly through its own arc by passing an arc via mercury that has been evaporated in a high-pressure tube.

Mercury vapor lamps are long-lasting, bright light bulbs that are commonly used to illuminate huge areas including streets, gyms, sports stadiums, banks, and malls.

Dimmer Switch

The dimmer switches are an excellent approach to having greater influence over the lighting in your house or workplace.

They generally replace your existing light switch as well as may be rapidly wired into the wall to provide you immediate control over the intensity of light coming into your house.

LED Panel

LED panel lights are an alternative to normal fluorescent ceiling lights as a type of lighting fixture. These are among the finest solutions for indoor illumination.

Despite the fact that panel lights using technology is still relatively new to the marketplace as well as growing in popularity because of its elegant appearance and innovative features and designs, LED technology has been utilized for a long time.

A panel is a square, curvy, or flat piece that is mostly installed on a wall, ceiling, or doorway.LED panels are mostly used in restaurants, castles, residences, hospitals, marketplaces, department shops, workplaces, hotel lobbies, etc. LED panels are suitable for both commercial as well as residential use.

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Spotlight Bulb

Homeowners as well as business owners both commonly utilize these powerful bulbs in spotlights. They may be used as accent lighting for interior and exterior lighting installations, as well as to brighten the area where you working.

LED Spotlights enable you to focus the light wherever you require it as well as have complete control over the lighting.

Replacing ordinary halogen as well as incandescent spotlights in track lighting, shop and exhibition lighting, and recessed lighting with our LED spotlights and LED spotlight lamps.

Circular Fluorescent Lamp

As they come in a variety of sizes as well as wattages, circular fluorescent bulbs can actually be a really versatile source of light and are utilized in a variety of applications.

These bulbs just provide you with a few various lighting options, the much more popular of which are warm white, cool white, as well as daylight.

There are various options available as well as these bulbs can provide more wattage than conventional bulbs available on the marketplace.

Twisted Fluorescent Lamp

As these fluorescent light bulbs consume considerably lesser energy than incandescent lights as well as have a long lifespan, there will be significant savings over the length of their lifespans. They come in brighter or dimmer varieties as well as perform well for both houses and workplaces.

Flame Shape Bulb

These bulbs are suitable to be used in chandeliers or lamps which give the look of candlesticks. Due to the obvious way, it mimics actual flames owing to their shape, this bulb type produces a comfortable source of light as well as works well as accent lighting.

It is crucial to think about whether you’ll require to dim the lights because some can be, while others cannot. Your lighting becomes significantly more complicated as a result of the unique shape as well as style.

Reflector

A silver covering of these bulbs serves to direct light to a specified location. In most cases, reflector light bulbs are utilized in the spotlight as well as in flood applications.

They are available in a variety of sizes, brightness levels, and color temperatures, as well as give unrivaled light whenever it is most required.

Diode

These bulbs are suitable for desk lights, under-cabinet lighting, as well as task lighting. They differ in terms of lumens as well as lifespan.

Fluorescent Lamp

The glass tube loaded with a combination of argon as well as mercury vapor makes up a fluorescent light. This lamp will keep your workstation bright so that you can view it clearly because they are a highly powerful as well as reliable light source.

Adapter

The adapter is the greatest approach to increase the amount of illumination you may have in your house without adding extra lights.

It is simple to wire and install as well as highly secure to use. There are polarized as well as non-polarized variants available to buy.

Types of Light Bulbs According To Sizes

A Series

The majority of lighting applications for both commercial as well as residential settings often utilize this type of bulb, which is regarded as the traditional bulb shape.

It possesses a pear-shaped base which is referred to as an Edison screw. The width of the bulb can be determined by the number following the “A.”

B Series

The structure of B series light bulbs is simple to recognize if you recall as the “B” stands for “blunt,” because these lamps are somewhat rounded as well as have only a tiny tip just on the end.

This is commonly utilized for decorative uses, such as chandeliers, pendant lights as well as wall sconces.

S Series

S series lamps are frequently seen on outside signs. It can be found at theatres, restaurants, casinos, as well as even hotels.

F Series

The key to recognizing how the F series lights look is as the word “flame” begins with the letter “F,” and these lights resemble a flame. Due to the fact that they cannot withstand the elements as normal bulbs can, they are mainly used for decorative inside illumination.

G Series

The size of these globe-shaped bulbs fluctuates widely, from the smaller G-25 to the considerably bigger G-40. The globe light bulbs are utilized in theater venues, restaurant places, as well as hotels for decorative purposes.

R Series

R Series Bulbs include a reflecting coating on an elliptical part that is below the main bulb. Although the R Series Bulbs are a bit more costly than most of the other types, they are effective when utilized in fixtures.

T Series

There are mainly two types of T-series lights. Although it is simple to purchase incandescent as well as fluorescent bulbs online or at nearby large box retailers, their applications are quite dissimilar from one another.

The length of fluorescent T series types of light bulbs, which may reach up to 8 feet, and utilized in workplaces, parking lots, stores, and retail establishments.

Incandescent T-series bulbs are used for lighting showcases, appliances, exit signs, as well as stairs.

E Series

The ellipsoidal bulbs are available in a range of sizes, but they all basically have the same shape. E series lights can be significantly longer and skinnier, as well as shorter, fatter ones.

MR Series

The MR Series, or Multifaceted Reflector Series Lamps, are another type of reflective lamp. Compared to the standard Reflective Series Lamps, it is a little bit smaller. The MR Series Lamps are similar to the R Series Lamps in that they also feature an inside reflecting coating and are similarly faceted.

ALR Series

The aluminum reflector bulbs are perfect for spotlights as well as floodlights because of their wide tops and compact bases, which make it easy for them to reflect a lot of light forward.

They normally work well maintaining the exterior of a house or garden lighted up at night whenever you need greater security and these types of light bulbs can be utilized in both residential as well as commercial uses.

BR Series

The BR Series Lamp is a customized lamp that combines elements of the B Series and the R Series.

PAR Series

The Parabolic Aluminized Reflector has a heavy glass lens on top as well as a parabolic-shaped reflector part at the bottom.

PAR types of Light bulbs are much more durable as well as may be used outside due to the thicker glass lens and sealed press. Consequently, it cost more than reflector lamps.

BT Series

The bulged tube lightbulbs are used in a variety of locations, such as canopy lighting, sports stadiums, industrial setup, and car showrooms. They are quite reliable in addition to producing a lot of high-quality light.

ED Series

The E Series or Elliptical Lamp is improved in the ED Series Lamps to have a dimple that faces outward.

C-7/F Series

The flame bulbs are highly attractive, and while C-7 bulbs are shaped like candles, they lack the detailing seen in F series lights. The C series bulbs come with both blunt and curved tips.

FINESTRA

This bulb is tubular as well as only has one connection. these types of light bulbs can be utilized in a number of locations, such as boat lights, medicine cabinets, as well as bathroom fixtures.

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PS-25/PS-35

Compared to standard P series bulbs, pear straight bulbs are longer as well as have a bigger diameter than A series bulbs. It can be used both indoors and outside as well as provide excellent ambient lighting.

RP, MB, BT

These three series light bulbs are generally more visually appealing than other options available on the marketplace, but it doesn’t affect how effectively they function.

Light Bulb Bases

E10 Mini Screw

This small bulb has a 10mm base. These types of light bulbs work well in torches, flashlights, as well as decorative fiber optic bulbs. Although the lifespan of the bulb differs, it usually lasts for one thousand hours.

E11 Mini Candelabra

The smaller variant of the candelabra is indeed the tiny candelabra screw base.

E12 Candelabra

These types of light bulbs are categorized as smaller because of their 12mm diameter. It is often found in nightlights, although they can also be used in certain decorative lights that are utilized above bathroom mirrors or in chandeliers.

 E14 European

You can purchase a variety of lightbulbs with this base, although it is not as common as the E26 base. When you require this type of bulb but are unable to locate it in a local shop, you may either shop online or purchase an adapter that will enable you to modify other bulbs to the correct size.

E17 Intermediate

This light bulb base is uncommon as well as is mostly seen in much smaller bulbs. Appliance or desk lights are two examples of bulbs that frequently use this base.

E26 Medium

It is the most popular type of light bulb base available, and it can be used with incandescent, halogen, CFL, and CCFL bulbs as well as HID ones. This type of base will be found on the majority types of light bulbs that you purchase locally or online.

E27 Medium

This lightbulb base is a little bit bigger than the typical E26 medium base, but it can still be utilized in many applications. The bases of E26 and E27 bulbs are quite similar.

E39 Mogul

The majority of home clients will never require an E39 mogul base. This bulb is generally used in street lighting or high-wattage lamps.

E40 Mogul

These bases are typically used with big outdoor lamps as well as spotlights. Most individuals must purchase an adaptor in order to use this kind of bulb because they can’t even fit into standard lamps as well as lights.

EX39 Extended Mogul

The base types of light bulbs are extremely large, ranging from 39 to 40 millimeters in diameter.

Conclusion

Understanding different light bulb shapes, as well as sizes, is essential if you really want to find a replacement or a similar-sized bulb of a distinct type. We are provided a quick review of some of the most commonly used light bulb bases, shapes, and sizes.

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