Despite the fact that light sources are constantly changing in order to reduce energy consumption, their socles remain the same. This is not surprising, because otherwise you would have to constantly change chandeliers or lampholders in fixtures. Today, like decades ago, the most common are screw socles, which differ from each other only in diameter. In today's article, we will talk about a fairly common, though not the most popular E14 base, called the "minion."
Marking: decoding alphanumeric designation
The letter "E" in the title tells the buyer that the base is screw, and the numbers next are the diameter of its circumference. It is from the numerical markings that you can determine whether the bulb is suitable for a particular cartridge. There are many sizes of screw bases, including E5, E10, E12, E14, E17, E26, E27 (the most common option), E40. The latter is intended for street floodlights. Often equipped with arc mercury fluorescent (DRL) or arc sodium tube (DNaT) lamps.
Lamps with E14 socket are intended for domestic use and are mainly used for miniature compact lamps, nightlights. They are equipped with refrigerators, microwave ovens, ovens.
Dependence of the application on the dimensions
Dimensions, as well as the shape of bulbs with E14 cap, may vary. If the dimensions of the open chandelier are practically irrelevant, then when using such a radiator to illuminate the refrigerator, you need to choose miniature options that will fit in the designated compartment.
If we compare ordinary bulbs with E14 base and energy-saving, then the second will be much larger due to the presence of an electronic ballast (electronic ballast). But it is worth noting that it makes no sense to install emitters with reduced energy consumption in a refrigerator or microwave. The illumination of such devices rarely turns on, which means that there is no question of any savings.
Application of E14 as the main lighting
This issue causes a lot of controversy among consumers. Lamps with a type of cap E14 have a low power, not more than 7 watts, which does not contribute to a large luminous flux. But this applies only to energy-saving (CFL) or conventional LED emitters. When using them, multi-path chandeliers are needed that can provide room lighting at an acceptable level. However, the modern market for electrical goods offers a different option.
Not so long ago, LED lamps with an E14 cap based on Cree elements appeared on the shelves of Russian stores. This offer of the manufacturer has made a real revolution. Cree LEDs can produce several times more light output than SMD elements. When installing such emitters, you can do with a fairly low power consumption, about 3-5 watts, the brightness will increase. The only drawback of these LEDs is their heat dissipation. For normal operation, Cree requires good ventilation, they can not be installed in closed shades - this should be taken into account.
Compatibility of "minions" with lighting devices
Quite often it happens that the base of the E14 bulb does not fit a particular cartridge. At a sensitive cost, throwing them away or leaving dusting in the pantry is irrational. The output will be the acquisition of the adapter. Such adapters have a low cost and allow you to install, for example, an E14 lamp in an E27 lampholder or vice versa. There are many modifications of adapters for various sizes.
Many craftsmen independently solder the socles from one emitter to another. But such actions are justified only if there is interest in such work and free time. In other cases, it is easier to get to the nearest electric goods store.
The most common forms of minions
The appearance of the lamp when it is installed in an outdoor lamp can be very important. An incorrectly selected shape will spoil the interior even with the most beautiful chandelier. The most versatile lamp with E14 socket is the “candle” used in ceiling chandeliers. For a sconce or a night lamp, a good choice would be to purchase such forms as a candle in the wind. It differs from the previous version by the elongated “tail” and slightly curved tip of the bulb. The third common form of such emitters is the “twisted candle”. Her flask has pronounced spiral structural bands.
A slightly less popular form due to its higher cost can be called a “fiery flame”. The use of such emitters in luminaires with a plafond is irrational - the bulb should be fully visible so that the effect intended by the manufacturer is realized.
For ordinary indoor luminaires, the cheapest forms are used - pear, elongated ball, ellipsoid. For household appliances (refrigerators, microwave ovens, ovens), lamps narrowed to the base are used, and a “parabolic reflector” is suitable for spot ceiling lamps. In total, there are 13 basic forms.
Summarizing
Lamps with an E14 base cannot be called the most popular, but they are undoubtedly provided with a second place. When purchasing a chandelier or sconce with similar cartridges, do not worry that there will not be emitters of this standard size in the store. The times of empty counters are long gone. And even if it turns out that in a small shop on the corner there are no lamps with a similar base, you can always buy an adapter by installing other emitters in the chandelier. As for the appearance, the lighting fixtures with the “minions” look much more neat and more aesthetic, which means that buying this kind of product does not fail.