Cap - this is the part of the lamp, which they are connected to the cartridge. Products provide a snug fit of the contacts through which the lamp receives power. All existing cartridges are divided into categories and can only work in tandem with a lamp having a suitable base.
Therefore, when choosing a lighting device, first of all, pay attention to this parameter. We propose to find out what kind of LED lamp base there are, what is the specificity of using various devices, and how to choose a suitable option.
The content of the article:
- Types of lamp base LED
- Threaded Holder Specifications
- GU10, GU5 / 3, G13 and G23 features
- Pin bayonet base
-
Rarely seen holders
- Characteristics of rare types of cap
- Glass and cable variations
- How to decipher the marking?
- How to choose the right base?
- Conclusions and useful video on the topic
Types of lamp base LED
One of the criteria by which one distinguishes LED bulbs, is a kind of cap. All of them can be divided into two volume categories - threaded and contact. Within groups there are many types, but among them there are five of the most popular.
E27. Used for all standard lamps, and for those where the luminous flux exceeds 1200 Lm, only this type is used. Usually, E27 lamps operate under AC conditions and at a voltage of 220 V.
E14. Let's apply to all options of standard lamps, but with the tiny sizes. Lamps with E14, which are also called "minion", have interesting forms: a candle, a fungus, a ball.
GU10. It has a two-pin connector, swivel mount. They are used for ceiling lighting in the form of LED-lamps with frame size MR16.
The light source placed in the cartridge holds a special lock, because of this they are in demand in places where there is vibration or other external influences.
GU5 / 3. Apply in lamps with lamps working on light-emitting diodes, the reflector type MR16 for decorative illumination. They are powered by both 220 and 12V mains.
G13. Used for tube-shaped lamps T-8 and T-10. They are installed in the ceiling panels, which are most often found in office premises for targeted lighting of workplaces.
Before you buy a new lamp for your lamp, you need to decide on the type of base used in it. There are many types of these elements and not all of them are interchangeable (+)
The first two types are threaded. To connect the product with the base and the cartridge, it is screwed like a simple incandescent lamp.
The remaining three types are contact or pin. These bases are equipped with pins on the edge of the lamp.
The less popular screw bases are E10, used in lamps that illuminate the interior of refrigerators and E42 for street lamps.
LED lamps, widely used by designers, are equipped with transition elements G4, GU4, G9.
Threaded Holder Specifications
Threaded products are the most popular options for plinths. Equip them with floor lamps, table lamps, lamps, lanterns. In sconces, small-sized table lamps, wall lamps and chandeliers are more often used. lamp E14.
LED lamps with such an adapter are gradually being squeezed out of the household of the incandescent lamp, the housekeeper.
The light source with E27 base is a more perfect analogue of a 90 watt incandescent lamp. With a power of 11 W, it gives the same illumination as its more powerful prototype
For high power lamps the most suitable are E40 base. They are used in industrial shops, in street lighting.
There are less popular types of threaded caps:
- E10, E12, E17 - small with diameters of 10, 12 and 17 mm, respectively;
- E5 - microscopic with a diameter of 5 mm;
- E26 - average.
The screw cap is attached to the flask by means of adhesive bonding. If you need to replace the lamp, you need to do it carefully, otherwise the base may break off. In the case when this does happen, you need to de-energize the lighting device.
The next thing to do is to carefully unscrew the damaged base using pliers. And it is better to avoid such situations, when replacing the lamp, it is advisable to rub the thread with graphite.
GU10, GU5 / 3, G13 and G23 features
GU10. In LED lamps the GU10 holder is arranged outside the box. At the ends of the contacts it has extensions that firmly hold the lighting element in the cartridge.
The base of this type - pin. Its contacts are located at a distance of 1 cm. The addition in the form of the letter U indicates the presence of structural features of the device (+)
An LED light source with this base, along with the same parameters as the halogen counterpart, has several advantages.
It has a more intense light, a significantly longer service life, minimal power consumption. The main advantage is that it practically does not heat up.
Powered instruments with GU10 socket on the network 110 - 220 V. Usually, lamps with such a holder are completed with a reflector to impart a certain directivity to light.
The release of low-voltage lighting elements engaged in a limited number of manufacturers. This is explained by the narrow scope of demand - a purely local lighting system.
Their designers use for interior lighting. They are ideally suited for “raft” type lighting devices.
GU5 / 3. GU5 / 3 ceramic base contains wires encased in a protective sheath. Imported products are operated at a voltage of 12/24 V.
But in Russia, lamps with such a cap, adapted to the usual 220 V, are more common. They are connected to the network via terminal blocks, which is more reliable.
G4 pin base is often present in small spotlights, which have been used in decorative design
LED light G4 lamps often used to replace low-voltage halogen lamps in chandeliers.
Contacts are located at a distance of 5.33 mm from each other. Fluorescent lamps, in which GU5 / 3 is used, are an analogue of multifaceted halogen reflectors and are energy-saving.
G13 and G23. They are installed not only in T8 LED lamps, but also in Armstrong-type lighting fixtures, LSP, and others. The distance between the contacts is 1.3 cm.
G23 are designed for “U” shaped lamps. The starter is included in its design. Start-up is carried out using a throttle, usually placed in the lamp housing. The power of such devices ranges from 5 to 14 W, they are mainly screwed into table lamps.
Pin bayonet base
On the case of this connecting device there are special pins. With their help, the base is connected to the cartridge. During the development of the product, a specific goal was set - to make the illumination device acquire more compact forms, and the time for replacing light bulbs would be reduced.
Round side pins (2 pcs.) Are arranged symmetrically on the base. They are fixed in the cartridge slots intended for this, and then turned by turn for better fixation.
In the photo, the LED light with bayonet, marking - BA15D. the dimensions of the lamp - 22 * 60 mm, voltage - 0.5-1 V
One type of pin product is a base VA with asymmetrical side contacts. Apply it in cars. The peculiar design allows a special way to insert the lamp into the cartridge and focus the light output of the headlights.
In some countries, mainly English-speaking, pin connectors denote BC, short for Bayonet Cap, in Europe - B22d, in Russia - 2Sh22.
The analogue of the European B15d is the domestic 2Sh15 and in English - SBC, the full name is Small Bayonet Cap. MBC / MBB corresponds to Russian 1SH9 and European Ba9s.
Rarely seen holders
Some types of these integral elements of the lighting device are quite rare. These include devices with recessed contact.
Characteristics of rare types of cap
With recessed contact. The belonging to this species is indicated by the presence of the symbol “R” in the marking. Use them in lamps of small dimensions and low weight.
Soffit "S". There are options for location on one side of the tubular lamp, and from two. Such plinths are appropriate in the fixtures used as a mirror backlight, in bathrooms, as well as in car showrooms.
The lamp base is fitted with contacts spaced on opposite sides of the lamp. Once they were used only to illuminate the scene, hence the name
Locking "P". In film projectors, lanterns, searchlights apply the base "P" - fixing. By constructional execution, it resembles a soffit. The difference is in the presence of an additional scattering pad.
The direction of the desired light flux sets the team lens. The design is used for film projectors, spotlights, flashlights.
Telephone "T". This type is used in lamps used as backlighting, in consoles, instrument panels in automobiles.
The socket T6,8 is used in KM (switchboard) lamps. The number after T means that the contact points are located at a distance of 6.8 mm from each other.
In the European Union, KM light bulbs with smaller sizes are used. On the base they are labeled 6 T4,5; T4.6; T5.5.
Glass and cable variations
Among a wide variety of LED lamps, there are those that are called baseless. This element is there, but it is glass, like the light fixture itself.
Their use is narrow-profile. There are most often in the automotive industry. When the “W” symbol is at the beginning of the marking, it means a lamp with a glass base
On its basis there are current findings. Through them there is a contact of the glass base with the cartridge. The numbers in the marking indicate the thickness of the glass part. They are followed by the “x” sign and the width of the cap.
Cable sockets (K) are not so common. The area of their application is projector lamps.
How to decipher the marking?
The designation of these products includes several characters in the form of letters and numbers. The latter speak about the distance between the contacts or the diameter of the connecting part.
Symbols indicating membership of a base to a specific type are deciphered as follows:
- "E" - Edison's cap, i.e. threaded;
- "G" - pin;
- "R" - equipped with a recessed contact;
- "R" - focusing cap, allowing to position the lamp in the desired position;
- "AT" - bayonet or pin;
- "F" - has one pin;
- but - the pin has the shape of a cylinder;
- b - equipped with a grooved contact;
- with - indicates the original shape of the pin;
- "S" - soffit
The number of contacts denotes a certain symbol: one contact - s (single), d - a pair (duo), t (tres), q (quatro), p (penta) - three, four and five contacts on the end, respectively.
Specifications denote the letters U, V, A. The first is labeled with energy-saving lamps, the second with a device that has a tapered end, and the third with automobile lamps.
In the designation of the base, the scheme A00bC is used, where the first character (A) is the base type, the second is its dimensions, b is the number of contacts, C is additional data. The last marker may not be (+)
Pin models with the symbol "X" are present in spotlights. Since the flow has a clear direction, with their help they place the necessary accents in the room. In lamps of special use, the models “Y” and “Z” are used.
LED lamp with connector E27. It is used without additional devices in a network of 220 V. Does not work with electronic dimmers
The inscription E14U indicates that the screw base has a diameter of 14 mm. The lamp itself is energy saving. BA9 marking indicates diameter 9 mm, round pins, placed symmetrically.
How to choose the right base?
According to this criterion, the choice to implement is quite simple: you must take into account the parameters of the lamp that is available.
Manufacturers produce a variety of LED lighting devices. They can be replaced as incandescent and halogen.
For the first group, the bases E14, E27, E40 are interchangeable. For the second - GU10, G4, GU5.3. In the recessed lamps used to illuminate the furniture, use the base GX53
When choosing, you should know some nuances:
- Models with G9 holders are rated for 220V only.
- If electronic switches and dimmers are present in the circuit, you cannot use small lamps with E14 and E27 bases.
- Since there are many variations of lighting devices with pin connectors, you can easily make a mistake when choosing. For this reason, do not need to get rid of a blown lamp.
Manufacturers have adapted almost all types of plinths to LED light sources. In order for the device to work stably and for a long time, it is necessary to take into account the permissible power for a certain lamp.
So, if the limit on this parameter is 40 W, then you can not install the lamp on LEDs, designed for 6 watts.
Read about additional options for choosing LED lights. this article.
Conclusions and useful video on the topic
Overview of the main types of base:
Features of choice on the example of Philips LED lamps:
When buying LED lamps, you must first look at the base. Its geometry must match the configuration of the cartridge. When lighting devices are needed for powerful equipment, technical documentation should serve as a guide.
Looking for LED lamps for your home or apartment? Or is there an experience of choosing and successfully using such lamps? Please leave comments on the article, ask questions and participate in discussions. Contact form is located below.
