Light Bulb Types

Light Bulb Types

There are several models of light bulb types in the market and each is designed for a distinct application. Light bulbs have always been designed with a certain purpose in mind involving different shapes and sizes. The differences in the light bulb types come as a result of either the light bulb base types or the mechanism used to emit light. However, to classify the light bulbs, the focus is primarily placed on the mechanism used to emit light. Then, within that particular light emission type, there are sub-categories spanning many light bulb base types.

Incandescent Light Bulb Types

Incandescent light bulb types work by using electricity to heat a tungsten filament inside the bulb until it glows. It emits a steady light, which is appropriate in most households. The light bulb base types applicable to incandescent are S14s and S15s connector fittings.

Halogen light bulbs

These light bulb types function by passing electricity through a tungsten filament that is surrounded by halogen gas in an enclosed in a tube. Halogen ignites a chemical reaction, which takes the tungsten from the wall of the glass and back onto the filament. This prolongs the life of the bulb. The light bulb base type applicable is halogen capsule.

Light Emitting Diodes

LEDs are the light bulb types that do not have a filament; hence, they consume low power and their life span is considerably long.

Low Pressure Sodium Light Bulb Types

Their operation is much more like the fluorescent lamp, but they require ballast to work. There is a short interval warm-up period before the lamp achieves full brightness. They are normally used for parking lot, roadway, pathway lighting and outdoor lighting.

Compact Fluorescent Lamps

(CFLs)  work like the fluorescent light bulb types. There light bulb base types available are to fit screw type base and pin type (snap-in).

High-Intensity Discharge (HID) Light bulbs

HID light bulb types include high pressure sodium, metal halide, mercury Vapor and self-ballasted mercury light bulbs. HID light bulb types emit light by striking an electrical arc across tungsten electrodes inside a designed inner glass tube. The tube is filled with gas and metals. They are installed where high levels of light are required over large areas, for example, gymnasiums, large public areas, roadways, pathways, and parking lots.

Fluorescent light bulbs

Their mechanism of emitting light is by passing an electric current through a tube filled with argon gas and mercury. This leads to emission of ultraviolet rays that strike the phosphorus coating of the tube to emit light. Their light bulb base type is a two pin fitting at the end of the tubes. It is one the widely used light bulb types.