Incandescent Light Bulb Types

The world of light bulbs is vast, and can be confusing. See our earlier post Light Bulbs 101: What am I Looking for? for our intro course. If you already visited that page, we will dive a little deeper!

1. Base

Every light bulbs have a base. Some light bulbs, usually halogen, will have a more complicated and unfamiliar base, such as a bi-pin or a GU10 like this one:

If your bulb is an incandescent, you will typically have six different base types.

Mogul- The largest size, reserved for high wattage bulbs.

Standard (also known as Edison or Medium)-

Looks familiar? This is your standard sized bulb with the "Edison" base. This will fit into most regular sockets, and most people have lamps or fixtures that carry this size.

Candelabra- 

This size is featured a lot in chandeliers and wall sconces. They are typically reserved for smaller and more decorative bulbs (like this torpedo bulb as shown), and usually gives off less light. We carry these from 10 watts up to 60 watts, although you will typically use only a 40 watt maximum in most fixtures.

European-

Obviously, these go into European fixtures.
 

Intermediate-

Just like it sounds, it's a size in between candelabra and standard. Not used as much, you'll find this size in some appliances, indicator bulbs and tubular bulbs.

Bayonet- 

 

There are a few different types and sizes of bayonet bases, and these aren't very common in light fixtures.
 
2. Sizing and Shapes

Light bulb sizes and shapes are standardized in the United States with a simple naming system. Just like the bases have a letter/number code. Incandescent bulb size is determined by measuring the bulb's diameter at it's widest point. The measurement is written in 8ths of an inch increments. 

For example, your typical looking light bulb:

 

Is a type A look that is 2 3/8 inches in diameter. The 2 3/8 is translated into 19/8", so the bulb type is "A19".

"A"s are the bulb shape that you always think of when thinking about light bulbs.

"G"s are globe bulbs. Used with vanity mirrors in bathrooms, in pop culture you think of broadway or dressing rooms for theatres.

    
"B10"s are torpedo shaped.

 

"BA"s are flame tipped.

 

Other important bulbs shapes:

R's and BR's are spotlight bulbs.

PAR's are a special type of spotlight bulb. More durable and used outdoors or indoors. Typically halogen.

Of course there are many other types of bulb shapes!

3. Coating

The coating of the bulb determines several lighting characteristics. The amount of light that shines, the direction and width of the beam, the color/mood of the light and how much glare exists. For instance, on a see through fixture, you may not want to use a clear bulb that will blind people in the room! But clear might be apappropriate for stronger lighting. 

Clear-

This type shines in a whitish yellow, broadcasts the light and produces significant glare. Most efficient for the amount of energy output.      

Frosted-

A softer light, typically more yellow in tone. Decorative, and can produce a lot of light, but needs a higher wattage to do so.

Satin White- 

Produces a specific soft white light, very decorative but doesn't broadcast light as well.

Silver Crowned-

The bulb is dipped in silver at the bottom. Great for a pendant! Keeps glare at bay and looks great in a modern fixture.

      
Colors- Can cover with any color to produce reds, blues, yellows, etc. Good for special events, parties or unique fixtures.  




In the world of light bulbs, it's easy to get confused. Follow these tips and you'll soon be a light bulb expert! 


Acknowledgments: Special thanks to Satco Products for providing us this information in their products guide, and for all of their awesome light bulbs!

Light Bulbs 101- What am I looking for?

     We all need light bulbs at one point or another. But the variety and type of light bulbs can be overwhelming and confusing! The Accessory Store carries or can order just about any type of light bulb imaginable, although we specialize in decorative incandescent bulbs. In this article, we will discuss the basics of light bulbs, and what you should be looking for to get your fixture just right.

Step 1: Let's identify the basic type of bulb that you are looking for. Our store carries: incandescent, flourescent and halogen. Our new WAC undercounter lights feature LEDs as well.

Incandescents- The sterotypical Edison bulb, the light bulb that has been around for as long as you can remember. Not the most energy effecient, this bulb does tend to cast a nice glowing yellow-white light that emulates a candle. Tends to be the least expensive and most decorative and timeless.

Halogen- A bulb that is filled with an inert gas, these tend to be pricier in the short run, but far more energy effecient and long-lasting in the long run. The bulb does give off a slightly less personal whiter light. Great for indoor and outdoor spotlights and display lights, less popular for the typical lamp.

Flourescent- In the past, these were just used for utility lighting and office lighting, flourescents have expanded into the common home with CFLs (Compact Flourescent Light Bulbs). Very long lasting and energy effecient, these bulbs are good for environmentally (and budget) conscious users. Complaints with this bulb include a rather unfriendly white light, a problem manufacturers are working to fix. Although heralded as environmentally friendly, these bulbs do carry small concentrations of mercury, and are supposed to be disposed of as a hazardous waste.

Step 2: The Base!

Light bulbs typically have three types of bases. The Standard (also called "medium" or "edison"), the candleabra, and the european. There is also a mogul base reserved for very large bulbs. Halogen and flourescent bulbs carry more complex varieties of bases (e.g. bi-pin). You need to know which type of base your fixture has before you go bulb shopping! We also carry a variety of adapters, such as european to american, that will solve your problem of always having to buy exotic bulbs!



Standard



Candleabra

Bi-Pin Halogen

Step 3: Wattage and Voltage.

Check either the label on the socket or the owners manual of your fixture to figure out the maximum and recommended wattage and voltage that you can have in your fixture. Never exeed these maximums! They are there for safety and fire hazard reasons. Also keep in mind how close to a lampshade the bulb will be. If it's a very tight space, you may need to use a lower wattage to prevent burning the shade. Also keep in mind what the fixture will be used for: Reading lights need more wattage, decorative lights need less. Keep in mind that the type of bulb, fixture and finish of the bulb will also vary the amount of light seen!

What is voltage? Voltage is basically the difference in electrical energy level between two different things. An easy way to remember it is to compare it to water flowing through a pipe...the voltage would be the pressure of the water flowing through the pipe!

What is wattage? Wattage is the power that the electricity provides. A higher watt bulb will give more lumens (or brightness) than a lower wattage of the same bulb. If you use the pipe analogy again, the wattage would be how hard a hose at the end of the pipe would spray!



Step 4: Get creative!

Once you have those basics down, you can play around with all the different shapes, sizes, textures and finishes that bulbs can have. Our most eclectic collection of bulbs are our decorative incandescent bulbs! We have frosted or clear, turn tip or torpedo, silicone and satin varieties.


We hope that you have enjoyed a crash course in light bulbs, and if you would like, explore all the different light bulbs that we have to offer at: http://www.stamfordshades.com/Store/pc/viewCategories.asp?idCategory=28

Have a Happy New Year from us at The Accessory Store!



Silver Crowned



Radio Bulb




Satin Amber



5 Quick and Easy (and Cheap) Ways to Boost Your Home's Decor

1. Lucite Risers

Add depth and layering to your decor. Think landscape design...you want small plants in front, then medium plants with the taller plants in the center. The same goes for inside. Using lucite risers, this effect can turn a flat room into a truly 3-D experience!

2. Decorative Lighting

Tired of your old choice of halogen, incandescent or CFL light bulbs? Then use decorative light bulbs! These light bulbs are not particularly great for lighting an area, but can be used in combination with other types of lighting to retro or industrial styling to your hanging fixtures.





3. Decorative Balls

Use cattail, mercury glass, lucite or even sea-shell decorative balls to fill large or clear vases. Mix and match, coordinate with your room's theme, or get creative with your own unique ideas!



4. Easels















Wooden easels are useful for displaying paintings, plates, or whatever you can think of. Why trap them on the wall when you have some empty counter space?





5. Coordinate Tissue Boxes and Wastebaskets















Mirrored or painted wastebaskets and tissue box covers can do wonders to a room. Cover up the puffs box and take out the trash for a more elegant look!






There you have it. Five simple ways to change the look of your room. Please leave comments or pictures on our facebook wall or blog showing us how you used these ideas in your own home! Do you have any quick and easy ways to upgrade a room? Let us know!