
Types of Light Bulbs
Shari
The history of lighting is fascinating. Among the first means of illumination are fire, torches, candles, and oil lamps.
Electric lighting gained momentum in the 16th-17th centuries, and since then the trend has been upward in terms of the advantages brought to users.
TYPES OF BULB
First there were incandescent bulbs, then halogen bulbs, then the big leap to compact fluorescent bulbs , also known as CFL bulbs. LED technology has reached the pinnacle of artificial lighting , through efficiency, safety and maximum saving capacity.
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Incandescent bulbs
Incandescent bulbs are those bulbs that we call "regular bulbs" or " classic bulbs ".
Advantages
In their case, unfortunately, the advantages are not very many. Some still buy them because they fall into the category of cheap bulbs . Others have their nostalgia for the simple fact that the color temperature of the light they emit is a very pleasant one.
disadvantage
Incandescent bulbs are not the most efficient source of light , as they consume a lot of energy. To produce light, they must heat up. More precisely, the metal filament is heated by the electric current, and this emits light. A very small percentage (8%) of the energy consumed is converted into light. A classic light bulb can be seen, from this point of view, as a mini-radiator.
In addition to being energy-wasting, incandescent bulbs have a short lifespan. Even if you pay a little to buy them, they become very expensive over time. They have a lifespan of 1000-2000 hours and are completely uneconomical in the long run – an aspect that you need to think about very carefully before deciding on these types of bulbs .
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Halogen bulbs
Halogen bulbs are also incandescent bulbs, but they additionally contain a gas with halogen elements.
Advantages
They also light by heating the incandescent filament, but they have a longer lifespan than classic bulbs and a higher color temperature (2500K). They have a luminous flux of about 20 lumens/watt and emit white light , of a higher quality than regular bulbs.
The halogen bulb can be a dimmable bulb , meaning that on some models you can adjust the light intensity . If you want cheap lighting , halogen bulbs are good, but they are not a cost-effective investment.
disadvantage
Even though they are more energy efficient than regular bulbs, they are not the best choice in this regard. In reality, a halogen bulb consumes 2-4 times more energy than a compact energy-saving bulb. or an LED bulb . And the lifespan leaves something to be desired. It lasts an average of 2000-3000 hours.
Halogen bulbs are suitable for spaces that are less frequented during the day, such as bathrooms, basements, attics, cellars, where you don't need to turn on the light very often.
They are also an optimal choice for lamps.
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Compact energy-saving light bulbs – fluorescent bulbs
Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) work on the same principle as fluorescent bulbs. They contain mercury vapor and produce ultraviolet rays.
Advantages
Classic energy-saving bulbs come in spiral, tube or rod shapes. They are a cheap option for those looking for energy-saving bulbs . They consume 75% less energy compared to incandescent bulbs and there is the possibility of finding dimmable versions.
disadvantage
CFL energy-saving bulbs are larger than incandescent bulbs. They light up gradually and you have to wait a while until they reach full brightness. They are not suitable for rooms where you turn the lights on and off often. These bulbs allow between 100,000 – 600,000 switchings and last around 8,000 – 15,000 hours, much longer than halogen bulbs.
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LED bulbs
LED lighting is present in more and more homes, industrial and commercial units. Installing energy-efficient LEDs in a home or company means a significant reduction in energy consumption and electricity costs.
What does LED mean ? This abbreviation stands for "light emitting diode" and translates to "light emitting diodes. " LEDs generate light through a phenomenon called "electroluminescence," when electric current passes through a semi-conducting material and emits visible light.
LED technology is not from yesterday, but from today. The first LED was developed in the 1960s. Even then, the advantages of their use in terms of energy efficiency and durability were known. The second generation of LEDs appeared in the 1990s, when they began to be used in public lighting.
Companies have sought to replace fluorescent bulbs with LEDs for outdoor advertising panels. The LEDs currently available are part of the 3rd generation.
Advantages
Some important features of these types of LED bulbs :
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increased resistance
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considerable lifespan
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maximum effectiveness
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increased energy efficiency
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low maintenance costs
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financial savings
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less residual light
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better environmental performance
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immediate maximum ignition
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resistance to damage factors, drops or other shocks
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do not contain particles of mercury, lead or other toxic compounds
disadvantage
If you decide to buy LED bulbs for your home , you should expect higher prices than other types of bulbs.
But this disadvantage will turn into an advantage in the long run, because after you cover the acquisition costs, you will have to pay less from the next invoice.
Another disadvantage of LED bulbs is that they only emit light in one direction. To avoid this, opt for fixtures with multiple LEDs.
PARALLEL BETWEEN TYPES OF BULB
If you switch from classic light bulbs to energy-efficient lighting fixtures, you have nothing but gain. LED bulbs are considered the most economical light bulbs . It is worth changing your old bulbs with energy-efficient LEDs because you save energy and money. The investment pays for itself in a relatively short time (1 year at 3 hours of consumption/day), and you can enjoy an optimally lit home with considerably lower bills.
More and more people are using modern LED lighting fixtures for both indoor and outdoor use. These energy-efficient bulbs are extremely convenient because they emit a greater amount of light while using less electricity than standard bulbs. Replacing all lighting sources in your home or office with LEDs will bring you a 60-90% improvement in energy efficiency.
Equivalence of LED bulb and incandescent bulb in terms of power consumption is clearly in favor of the first category. LED bulbs consume almost 7 times less energy.
An incandescent bulb can last around 1,000 hours. An LED bulb lasts 50,000 hours and can go up to 100,000 hours.
LED light does not need to be changed annually. It has a lifespan of 6-12 years, which is 40 times longer than incandescent bulbs and 2-4 times longer than fluorescent bulbs.
LED bulbs operate at full capacity even in winter or at low temperatures, compared to fluorescent bulbs, which reduce light intensity under these conditions. For these reasons, LEDs are a smart choice for freezers and other cold spaces.
The category of powerful LED bulbs includes the 12W LED and 15W LED bulbs . They have as much power as a 90W and 120W incandescent bulb, respectively.
TYPES OF SOCKETS
When choosing a light fixture, you also need to choose a suitable socket . The socket is the support on which the filament of the bulb is placed. The good news is that some LED bulbs are designed to fit into sockets used for classic light bulbs.
Threaded sockets :
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The E24 socket has the classic type of socket, with a large thread. It fits all types of bulbs: LED, halogen, energy-saving, classic filament, lamps. Most bulbs with this socket are powered by 230 V or 24V.
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E14 socket is also a classic socket, but it has a smaller size, 14 mm. An e14 bulb is usually 25 watts or 40 watts. This type of socket is used for decorative bulbs , for lamps and chandeliers, which have a candle shape. It may also be suitable for spotlights.
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The E40 socket is a threaded socket and has the largest size of all. It is intended for those powerful lighting fixtures that go up to 400W. We often find it in types of outdoor lighting fixtures .
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The E10 socket is suitable for a portable lamp. You can also use it for a patio lighting installation .
Bayonet sockets :
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B22. It is produced for LED bulbs, energy-saving bulbs and halogen bulbs. It operates at an electrical voltage of 230 Volts.
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B22d. It is suitable for outdoor lighting decorations .
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GU10 . Can be used for halogen bulbs and LED bulbs included in spotlights and hidden lighting fixtures (e.g. recessed ceiling lamp ).
Pin sockets :
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G13. Suitable for T8 LED tubes .
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T8. It is suitable for houses, workshops, garages, buildings.
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G4. Suitable for T5 LED tubes .
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T5. It is suitable for outdoor lighting, for aquariums or large stores.
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2G7. This is produced for fluorescent lamps.
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S14s. Corresponds to fluorescent lamps and tubes.
Other popular socket types :
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G4 socket . It is used for LED bulbs and halogen bulbs that have a low voltage (12V), used to illuminate furniture, mirrors or ceilings.
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G9 bulb socket . It is designed for halogen bulbs and G9 LED bulbs , used in modern lighting fixtures , such as ceiling lights , ceiling lamps, room lamps or small spotlights.
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MR16 or GU,3. This is usually applied to LED or halogen spotlights. It is suitable for rooms with a high degree of humidity, such as bathrooms, kitchens or swimming pools.
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GX53. Made for spotlight bulbs and round flat bulbs. The GX53 LED bulb type is used both indoors and outdoors.
Types of sockets suitable for LED bulbs :
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E14
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E27
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G4
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G9
Types of sockets suitable for LED fluorescent tube lighting :
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G5 (T5)
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G13 (T8)
If you managed to read the information to the end, you have certainly got an idea about what type of bulb is right for you and what type of socket to choose. On alessandrodesign.ro - online lighting store - you can find an attractive offer of wall lamps, table lamps, lighting lamps , ceiling lamps, LED chandeliers , classic chandeliers and chandeliers and other modern LED products .