Light Bulb Guide

Identify the type of light bulb you need with the simple light bulb guide below. We break down the bulb into parts to help you find the replacement bulb you need quickly and easily.

1)  Determine the type of bulb

There are a large variety of bulb types. The most common types include incandescent, halogen, fluorescent, compact fluorescent, xenon, and metal halide.

2) Determine the shape and size of the bulb

Bulbs are usually identified by a letter, then a number. (e.g. A19, PAR30, etc.) The beginning letter, or set of letters, indicates the shape of the bulb. The following numbers indicate the diameter of the bulb, measured in eighths of an inch. For example, an MR16 would have a 2" diameter and a PAR30 would have a 3.75" diameter.

3) Determine the base of the bulb

The base of the bulb connects to the socket. View different types of commonly used bases below.

4) Determine the options

The options of the light bulb, which are the color temperature and wattage, can be identified from the ordering code of the bulb. Learn how to decipher the ordering code on your light bulb using the chart below.

Click view chart on deciphering light bulb ordering codes.

Incandescent	40G25CL3 40 = Wattage G25 = Globe, 25 eighths of an inch diameter (3.125") CL = Clear 3 = Voltage (130V)	40EFC/3 40 = Wattage E = E26 Base (Standard) F = Flame C = Clear 3 = Voltage (130V)
Halogen	EXN/L EXN = ANSI code for 50W MR16 40" Flood L = Lensed	H75PAR30NF3 H = Halogen 75 = Wattage PAR30 = Parabolic Aluminum Reflector, 30 eighths of an inch (3.75") NF = Narrow Flood 3 = Voltage (130V)
Fluorescent	F32T8/835/HL F = Fluorescent 32 = Wattage T8 = Tube, 8 eighths of an inch diameter (1") 8 = 80CRI 35 = Color Temperature (3500K) HL = High Lumen
Compact Fluorescent	CF13WW/GU24/DM CF = Compact Fluorescent 13 = Wattage WW = Color Temperature Warm White GU24 = Twist and Lock Base (24mm) DM = Dimmable	CF18T841/E CF = Compact Fluorescent 18 = Wattage T = Triple Tube 8 = 80CRI 41 = Color Temperature (4100K) E = Electronic 4-Pin
High Intensity Discharge (HID)	MH24PAR38NFL/SB MH = Metal Halide 24 = Wattage PAR38 = Parabolic Aluminum Reflector, 38 eighths of an inch (4.75") NFL = Narrow Flood SB = Self Ballasted	M70/U/MED/O M = Metal Halide 70 = Wattage U = Universal Burn Position MED = E26 Base (Medium Base, Standard) O = Open Fixtures
Xenon	JC5XE/12 JC = JC Bi-Pin 5 = Wattage XE = Xenon 12 = Voltage (120V)	KX40CL/E12 KX = Krypton Xenon 40 = Wattage CL = Clear E12 = E12 Base (Candelabra)

5) Contact the fixture manufacture

If you still have difficulty finding the replacement bulb for your fixture, you can contact the manufacturer directly. Provide them with the brand and model of your fixture.

Need more assistance?

Contact us at customerservice@expertledlighting.com

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Source: Lightopedia.com powered by Bulbrite