The lamp base is used to install it in the cartridge. This structural element is made of metal, sometimes ceramic. It includes incandescent filaments (inside) and contacts (located outside). It is he who provides the connection of the lamp itself with a source of electricity.
Types of socles
The whole variety of products can be divided into the following groups:
- Screw (threaded). Used in conventional incandescent, halogen, fluorescent, gas-discharge, LED lamps. The most popular - with a diameter of 27 mm or 14 mm.
- Pin (pin). Installed on halogen capsule-type lamps, luminescent, including linear, energy-saving diode. Light sources having the type of cap G4 are most in demand.
- Special Made for specific use. Apply, for example, in car headlights.
The most common are screw and pin types of socles. By purchasing a particular lighting device for one of the types of products, the client has the opportunity to choose any type of light bulb depending on his needs. You can take into account the price, light temperature, power, light output.
Marking
Socles have various contacts, sizes. All this is indicated when marking the product itself. By it you can determine the type of bulb. Each lamp has certain cartridges. Carefulness when choosing a light bulb with the right parameters will help to avoid inappropriate expenses.
A well-developed notation system will help you orient yourself. The first uppercase letter indicates the type of product. Next, the digital parameter defined in millimeters for each type is indicated. The next lowercase letter defines the number of contacts (plates, pins). A clarification marking is indicated with an indication of the energy-saving light bulb (U) or its specialization (A - automotive). May indicate a specific appearance of the base (V-shaped, conical).
Marking in Latin letters and Arabic numerals is international. This will help you choose the right products as a domestic manufacturer, and, for example, Philips lamps.
Types of caps
There are several types of socles:
1. Rezbovoy - E. Invented in 1909 by Thomas Edison, in his honor and named. For many years, nothing was invented for a more convenient and quick connection of the lighting device to the mains. Until now, this type of base is very popular, it has been adapted for almost all types of modern lamps.
2. Pin - G. They put on miniature halogen bulbs and large ceiling luminescent. G4 (base) is popular. Most often it is used in spotlights and in flexible systems. The distance between the contacts of 4 mm allows you to use them in miniature lamps. They, in turn, are very much in demand in decorative lighting because of their bright spotlight. The number, thickness and shape of the pins may vary. The halogen lamp (G4 base) has a long period of use, over 2000 hours. This service life makes it attractive to consumers. The main letter indicating the type of cap G is followed by another letter of the Latin alphabet U, X, Y or Z. These are design modification pointers, and they cannot be used interchangeably:
- U - energy saving;
- X - most often used for lamps in spotlights with directional light (indispensable in plasterboard ceilings);
- Y and Z - very rarely used for narrow lamps.
In table lamps for compact lamps, 4-pin bases are made. To denote such a construction, the number 2 is written before G.
3. With one pin - F. The contact part of the pin must be insulated from the housing made of conductive material. It belongs to a separate type, which, in turn, differs in the type of pins:
- cylindrical - a;
- grooved - b;
- special form - c.
4. With recessed contact - R. They put such socles on lamps of high power and temperature. As a rule, these are quartz or halogen lamps. Small, lightweight, work from a network voltage of 220 volts.
5. Pin (Bayonet) - B. A feature of this design is the presence of side contacts. They are divided into types of socles with symmetrical and asymmetric arrangement of pins (marking VA). They give the lamp a strictly defined position in the cartridge, this ensures focusing of the light flux. It is considered a kind of Edison base with a pin design, which accelerates and facilitates the replacement of a light source.
6. Sofitovy - S. At such a socle, the contacts are located on opposite sides of the lamp. The numbers on the marking indicate the diameter of the housing. Such lamps illuminate car license plates.
7. With cable connection - K. It is classified as a non-standard lamp base and is used in various projection products.
8. For xenon lamps - H. Like a base with a cable connection, it is considered non-standard. Such lamps have high color rendition and are widely used in stage lighting, optical devices, installed in the headlights of cars.
9. Focusing - P. An integrated lens is built into it, focusing the luminous flux in a given direction. Used in film projectors, searchlights, flashlights, in high beam headlights of cars. The numbers on the marking indicate the diameter of the focusing flange or part of the cap.
10. Telephone - T. Such products are used in light bulbs to illuminate the dashboard of a car, on control panels, as indicators. Digital marking tells the external width, measured on the contact plates in millimeters.
11. If the current inputs are located directly on the glass base of the lamp - W. In them, in fact, direct contact of the current inputs with the cartridge occurs, such lamps are also called "baseless". The total thickness of the glass part with one current input is measured and marked first, and then the width of the base of the base is indicated in mm after the multiplication sign.
The number following the letter indicates the size of the cap. This can be either its diameter, if it is of a threaded type, or the distance between the contacts.
Number of contacts
The number of contacts can be different, a small letter of the Latin alphabet indicates their number:
- one is s;
- two are d;
- three is t;
- four are q;
- five - p.
Additional Information
But this is not all the information. Additionally, marking may be applied with some clarification:
- energy saving - U;
- Automotive - A;
- with a tapered end at the base - V.
Thus, the inscription E26U will mean that it is an energy-saving lamp with a threaded base diameter of 26 mm.
Philips lamps, a leader in the production of modern light sources that are distinguished by quality and environmental friendliness, are in great demand.
Universality of socles
Currently, the industry produces such varieties of lamps:
- incandescent lamps;
- halogen;
- luminescent;
- LED light.
It is wrong to assume that a specific type of base is used for a specific type of light bulb . Their new types are being developed and introduced along with the development of the entire lighting industry. The same models can be used in various lighting principles, functions and sizes.
Technical characteristics of the base G4
If we consider the G4 model in more detail, it can be noted that the distance between the pins is 4 mm, their length is 7.5 mm. The diameter of the pins cannot be less than 0.65 mm and exceed a value of 0.75 mm.
Halogen lamps with G4 socket
Due to their small dimensions, halogen lamps with a G4 cap are often used in products from various types of glass, including crystal. The bright light from the lamps makes the pendants on the chandeliers sparkle and sparkle no worse than diamonds. Reliability of work is provided by a lamp base. G4 - always a high-quality connection of a light source with an electric network.
When installing halogen bulbs, accuracy and attention are required. Do not touch the surface of the product with bare hands. Gloves will be required so as not to leave greasy marks. Otherwise, under the influence of high temperature, handprints will bake on the surface of the lamp, which will reduce the quality of lighting.
Since 2013, the LED lamps on which the G4 (base) has been installed have entered the market. They are able to replace halogen lamps with a similar base, especially where low voltage is used.
A distinctive feature of LED lamps is their ability to not generate heat, in other words, they do not heat up. Compared with “halogen” LED lamps consume less energy and last longer.
The development by specialists of the G4 base for this type of light source will help ensure reliable and cheap operation of lighting devices for various purposes.
LED Bulbs with G4 Base
Marking G4 220V suggests that the lamp base G4, 220 volts - operating voltage. Such LED miniature bulbs are widely used for spot lighting equipment. Bright light of directional action is also used in the manufacture of furniture, whether it is a kitchen set or a built-in wardrobe.
The small dimensions of LED lamps with G4 (base), allow their use in flexible lighting systems. Another caveat: they can be of different colors. You can choose a combination of several shades to emphasize the style of design or to draw attention to advertising.
The appearance of the lamps can be in the form of a thin plate (round or rectangular) with several LEDs.
G4 Benefits
G4 (base) allows you to quickly and easily change the light bulb. The reliability of the design will not allow the base to fall off from it, as in a screw analog. The simplicity of the design allows you to cope with the task of replacing any adult or teenager.
In hard-to-reach places of installation, such a base design will provide a simple and reliable connection to the power source: you just need to plug the pins into the cartridge, you do not need to rotate or otherwise fix the base. The pins serve as both mounts and current conductors.
G4 disadvantages
This can be more attributed to the shortcomings of the cartridge under the G4 (base). Poor quality material from which the contacts are made in the cartridge, or poor assembly of the cartridge leads to contact disruption. The lights in the lights go out, and if you move them a little, they light up again. This indicates that the light source itself is in order, but poor, unstable contact between the cartridge and the base.
Such a disadvantage affects Chinese-made lighting fixtures or small companies that do not have a name on the market.