How To Tell Light Bulb Base Size

How to Mensurate Light Bulbs

September 10, 2019

Measuring your light bulbs is a simple procedure, and it's ane that's important if you're trying to replace a bulb and have lost the original packaging or are in the procedure of upgrading to energy efficient LEDs. After all, you lot need to be sure that the new bulb you select is going to fit into your fixture.

If y'all've never had to mensurate a light bulb, you may be wondering what measurements yous need to have, and where exactly to first your measurements from. Allow's take a look:

Measuring the Seedling

The glass or plastic upper part of the low-cal seedling is measured and labelled in millimetres or eighths of an inch.

In that location are two types of measurements you'll need from this area:

Length

To correctly mensurate the length of your lite bulb, measure from the top of the glass or plastic bulb to the very tip of the base using a ruler or measuring tape. If y'all are using a soft measuring tape, keep it taut rather than following the edge of the bulb—you want the measurement of the bulb's height, non its surface length.

PRO TIP: When measuring the length of lite bulbs such as fluorescent tubes, accept your measurement from the tips of the pins in either end.

Width

Each lite seedling has a code that indicates its shape and diameter at the widest indicate. For instance, an A19 code indicates that it's a classic A-series light seedling with a diameter of nineteen eighths of an inch (2.38 inches or 60.33mm). To get the correct width measurement for your seedling, you too need to measure out it at the widest point, which will vary based on the blazon of bulb you cull. Here are some examples:

Measuring the Base

Regardless of the type of base a light seedling has, such equally a bayonet or screw, the base is measured in millimetres. Light bulb base of operations measurements will exist labelled using a lawmaking similar to the one used for the bulb. For case, a standard light seedling base is an E27, which means that the base of operations is an Edison screw base that measures 27mm.

Screw and bayonet bases are measured right across the lesser. Pin bases, including fluorescent tubes, measure the space between the pins.

Measure Twice

Some lamps tin can be difficult to fit just because they don't take much space allotted for the bulb, but then long every bit your new seedling is close in size to your erstwhile one, you shouldn't have any problems. Just brand sure yous go along these low-cal bulb measurements handy:

Length
Diameter
Base measurements

Whether yous need help figuring out the proper size, colour, or type, if you need assistance selecting a light bulb, we can help! Arrive bear upon with u.s.a. through live chat, email (enquiries@thelightbulb.co.uk), or over the phone (+44 (01869) 362222).

Larn more about selecting the perfect seedling for your lamp in our low-cal bulb ownership guides.