What are the different types of light bulb fittings
Isabella Turner
Updated on March 30, 2026
NameProduct CodeDiameterMiniature Edison Screw (MES)E1010mmCandelabra Edison Screw (CES)E1212mmSmall Edison Screw (SES)E1414mmEdison Screw (ES)E2727mm
How do I know what base my light bulb is?
A further explanation of the light bulb base sizes, you can look at the letter-number references (E12, E17, and E26) to help understand a bulbs base style and size. The first letter designates the shape or form of the base, and the number represents the width of the base (normally in millimeters).
What is the difference between E14 and E27 bulb?
E14 is a 14 mm wide thin screw lamp holder. E27, on the other hand, is a 27 mm wide, thick screwed lamp holder. You can find out what type of bulb you need by measuring the lamp holder width.
What is the standard light bulb fitting?
The most common sizes are: E27 or ES or ‘standard screw’, where the diameter of the light bulb cap is 27mm. E14 or SES or ‘small Edison screw’, where the diameter of light bulb cap is 14mm. B22 or Ba22d or BC or ‘bayonet cap’, where the diameter of the light bulb cap is 22mm.Are all light bulbs the same fitting?
All light bulbs have a code to identify their type of fitting. The letters tend to stand for the name of the fitting and the numbers are the diameter of the fitting in millimeters. For example, an E27 is an Edison Screw bulb with a diameter of 27 millimeters.
What base is a Type B bulb?
B-shaped bulbs are also known as Candelabra bulbs. Bulbs with this shape have a bulged base that attenuates to a rounded tip.
What is the difference between E26 and A19?
A19 refers to the shape and size of the bulb itself. “A” stands for Arbitrary — just the name of the shape that’s familiar to most of us. “19” refers to the size — in this case, 19/8″ (or 2 3/8″) across. E26 refers to the type and size of the base — the part that goes into the light socket.
Are Es and E27 the same?
Often referred to by it’s abbreviation of “ES”, it’s also known as “E27”, with the E representing Edison and the 27 representing the diameter of the bulb cap in millimeters. … ES GLS (General Lamp Service) bulbs are quite commonly found in many light fittings, especially outdoor lights, flush fittings and table lamps.What kind of lightbulb goes in a ceiling light?
The most common ceiling fan bulbs found are Candelabra and Intermediate. Newer ceiling fans may require Mini Candelabra while older ceiling fans may have a standard medium light bulb fitting.
What does the E stand for in light bulbs?Light bulbs come in a variety of shapes and sizes and are generally categorized by their bases (the part that screws into a light socket). The letter E before a number indicates it’s an Edison bulb. The Edison screw fitting is a system of screw mounts used for light bulbs developed by Thomas Edison in 1909.
Article first time published onWhat are large screw in bulbs called?
NameProduct CodeDiameterCandelabra Edison Screw (CES)E1212mmSmall Edison Screw (SES)E1414mmEdison Screw (ES)E2727mmGiant Edison Screw (GES)E4040mm
What is B15 light bulb?
B15 bulbs, or SBC (Small Bayonet Cap), are the “younger brothers” of the B22 bulb base with a 15mm diameter cap. … B15 LED Candle Bulbs are an excellent choice for your home but also look great in Chandeliers or similar decorative light fittings.
Can I change bayonet to screw fitting?
A handy lamp socket converter, the B22 – E27 Lamp Socket Converter allows you to convert a B22 bayonet lamp socket into an E27 edison screw fitting without the need for re-wires.
Are all screw in light bulbs the same?
E26/E27 Medium – Edison 26-mm or 27-mm Diameter E26 bulbs are primarily used in North America while E27 bulbs are most popular in Europe. Bulbs with these base types can be used interchangeably as there is only a 1-millimeter difference in base size. Bulbs with these bases are the most popular of all screw base bulbs.
What does a type B light bulb look like?
What Type B Bulbs Look Like. Sometimes known as “candelabra bulbs,” Type B bulbs are bullet or flame-shaped, smaller in size and carry less wattage than other bulbs. Some Type B bulbs buldge at the base and get thinner as they reach the tip, while others retain the same narrow shape from bottom to top.
Is an LED a Type A bulb?
Lamp types Although most A-shape bulbs have historically used incandescent lighting technology, some other technologies – such as compact fluorescent (CFL) or LED lamps – have been used in A-shape bulbs more recently.
Can I use a type A bulb in a Type B fixture?
Thanks for your electrical question Ryan. The Type A Bulb is the most standard size, that being a larger base than a Type B. … That being the case, there are socket adapters to allow a Type B Lamp to be used in a Type A Socket, but not for a Type A bulb to be used in a Type B Socket.
Is type A bulb same as E26?
The “A” rating is the shape of the bulb. “E26” on the other hand indicates what kind of base the bulb has. (standard base) … So to answer your questions in short, A19 and E26 is not the same.
What does E26 mean on a light bulb?
The term E26 refers to a light bulb’s cap or base – the bulb component that allows for both electrical and mechanical contact. The letter “E” in E26 refers to Edison Screw, the most standard of lamp bases, while the numerical “26” refers to its diameter in millimeters (approximately 1 inch).
Is E26 a standard bulb?
A Medium or Standard base light bulb is also referred to as an E26 base light bulb. … The photo below shows a light bulb that has a Medium or Standard E26 base. The second most common type of light bulb base that you’ll find here in the United States (and North America) is the “Candelabra” base.
What are Type B bulbs used for?
Type B bulbs are longer and have a tip on the end. These bulbs are usually used in decorations like chandeliers and pendant lighting.
What does B stand for in light bulbs?
Dmitrii_Guzhanin / Getty Images. B can indicate one of three different shapes. When it is used by itself, though, it stands for bullet. A bullet light bulb is a cylinder with a rounded end, like a tubular incandescent bulb, but with a base that is smaller than the glass cylinder. A BR bulb is a bulged reflector bulb.
Are Type B and C bulbs interchangeable?
Blunt-tip (B) bulbs are very similar to C-type bulbs but have more of a torpedo or bullet shape. These bulbs can be used in chandeliers, wall sconces, pendant lights, night lights, decorative light strands, holiday light strands, and other decorative home lighting applications.
Which bulbs are white light?
Bulbs that provide light at around 3000K to 3500K may be considered “white” or “soft white.” Bulbs that provide light at around 4100K to 5000K are considered “cool white” and these start to have a slightly blue feel to them.
How many watts does a ceiling light need?
As a general guideline, overhead lighting should not exceed 100 watts, which will give intense lighting and should be sufficient for most applications. However, a lower-wattage light like 75 or 60 watts might be a better choice if it stays on for a long time.
What does 2700K mean in lighting?
Light appearance is measured in temperature using the Kelvin scale. Unlike the weather outdoors lower color temperatures (2700K) indicate ‘warmer’ colors of orange and yellow, and higher color temperatures (6500K) indicate cooler colors like blue and white.
What is Edison screw fitting?
Edison Screw light bulb is a lamp with a a screw fitting. The fitting is known as an E27 fitting. It is the most common fitting for a bulb or a lamp in modern lighting, replacing the traditional Bayonet (B22) fitting that used to be used in UK manufactured lamps.
What are e 27 bulbs?
What is an E27 bulb? The E27 bulb is one of the most common bulb we have in our homes today. It’s also known as the Edison bulb with big screw socket (27 millimeters). E27 refers to the socket, the fastening which you screw into your lighting appliance.
Are E26 and G25 the same?
The G25 shape is usually pared with a E26 (medium) base, similar to that of a standard A19 and come in outputs ranging from 25 watts to 60 watts. G25 LED Bulb Replacements G25 shaped LED bulbs now exist and are a great replacement for decorative and vanity applications.
What does DX mean on a light bulb?
“DX” probably means daylight, but, then again, you have to compare the Kelvin rating. 6500K light is a very clean light. Beautiful lighting, but ALL bulbs in a room, should be the same Kelvin rating.
What does +C mean on a light bulb?
C and CA series bulbs are also similar, meaning Candle and Candle Angular, respectively. They still use the same E-series base, albeit with a smaller diameter. Then there are G series (Globe) bulbs, which are entirely spherical.