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Home : Halogen Light Bulbs
Halogen and Xenon Light Bulbs
Scroll down for Terms and Definitions related to halogen light bulbs.
Halogen Light Bulbs Terms and Definitions:
Halogen Floods & Spots: Halogen floods are available in both "heavy" glass and "soft" glass. The heavy glass halogen flood light bulbs are commonly referred to as "PAR" lamps. PAR stands for parabolic aluminized reflector. These halogen light bulbs are used both indoors and outdoors. Halogen light bulb PAR lamps are the only halogen flood that may be directly exposed to inclement weather, as the thick glass prevents cracking. PAR flood halogen light bulbs are available in diameters from 1.75" to 4.75". As a general rule of thumb, if the glass covering the PAR lamp is dimpled then the bulb has a wider (flood) beam spread. PAR lamps with a narrow beam (spots) have smooth glass covering the reflector.
Soft glass halogen floods look identical to standard incandescent floods (generally called either "R shape" or "BR shape". These halogen light bulbs should be used either indoors or in fixtures protected from direct weather exposure. Weather your halogen flood is a PAR, R, or BR the diameter of the bulb may be found in the item number directly following the PAR, R, or BR designation. Halogen light bulbs, like incandescent light bulbs, are measure in 1/8" increments. For example a PAR30 halogen light bulb is 30/8" diameter, or 3.75".
J Type Halogen Light Bulbs: J type halogen light bulbs are double ended halogen light bulbs. The most common base type for J type halogen light bulbs is called a "recessed single contact" (often abbreviated RSC). The bulb shape is referred to as "T3" for "tubular" (T) and 3/8" diameter. J type halogen light bulbs are also available in "Pin Blade" base (PB). Pin Blade J types have a flat piece of metal at each end used to make contact with the socket (this type of halogen light bulb is becoming increasingly uncommon). J type halogen light bulbs are available in various voltages, from 12 volt to 277 volt, and in lengths from 78mm (3.12") to 254mm (254mm). J type halogen light bulbs are most commonly used in security lighting and in high-end accent fixtures.
Please note that J type halogen light bulbs should not be touched with bare skin. Halogen light bulbs utilize a semi-permeable glass with can be penetrated by oil from skin. The oil creates hot spots on the glass that reduces the bulb's life.
JC Type Halogen Light Bulbs: JC type halogen light bulbs are low voltage halogen capsules with pins on the base (voltage ranges from 6 volt to 28 volts). These halogen light bulbs may be found in several applications including puck lights, under-counter lights, landscape lighting, desk lamps, display lighting, and accent lighting. JC type halogen light bulbs have either G4 or GY6.35 bases. G4 base JC type light bulbs measure 4mm between the pins, and GY6.35 base bulbs measure 6.35mm between pins. JC type halogen light bulbs are available in both clear and frosted glass.
Please note that JC type halogen light bulbs should not be touched with bare skin. Halogen light bulbs utilize a semi-permeable glass with can be penetrated by oil from skin. The oil creates hot spots on the glass that reduces the bulb's life.
JCD Type Halogen Light Bulbs: JCD type halogen light bulbs are line voltage (120-130 volt) halogen capsules with pins on the base. These halogen light bulbs may be found in puck lights, under-counter lights, desk lamps, pendant lighting, and accent lighting. JCD type halogen light bulbs have either GY6.35, G8, or G9 bases. The GY6.35 base measures 6.35mm between pins, while the G8 base measures 8mm between pins. G9 base JCD type halogen light bulbs have two loops on the base instead of straight pins, and they have become increasingly popular. JCD Type Halogen Light Bulbs are available with both clear and frosted glass.
Please note that JCD type halogen light bulbs should not be touched with bare skin. Halogen light bulbs utilize a semi-permeable glass with can be penetrated by oil from skin. The oil creates hot spots on the glass that reduces the bulb's life.
JD Type Halogen Light Bulbs: JD type halogen light bulbs are tubular shaped and run on line voltage (120-130 volts). These halogen light bulbs are used in light pendants, table lamps, ceiling fans, and high-end decorative lighting. JD type halogen light bulbs have double contact bases (called DC or BA15d), mini-candelabra bases (E11), or European bases (E14)(base chart). JD type halogen light bulbs are available with both clear and frosted glass.
Please note that JD type halogen light bulbs should not be touched with bare skin. Halogen light bulbs utilize a semi-permeable glass with can be penetrated by oil from skin. The oil creates hot spots on the glass that reduces the bulb's life.
JDD Type Halogen Light Bulbs: JDD type halogen light bulbs have a glass enclosed halogen filament which is surrounded by a second glass jacket. Most JDD type light bulbs are medium base (standard light bulb base size). JDD type halogen light bulbs are used most commonly in food service applications, but they may also be used in some general lighting applications.
JDR Type Halogen Light Bulbs: JDR type halogen light bulbs are small halogen reflector floods with either a screw-in or GU10 base. These halogen light bulbs are similar in appearance to MR16 style halogen light bulbs. JDR type halogen light bulbs with screw-in bases come in either intermediate base (E17) or medium base (E26). JDR type halogen light bulbs are used in curio cabinets, range hoods, and track lighting. These halogen light bulbs are available with or without cover glass and in both frosted and clear.
Chroma High Performance/KX-2000: These light bulbs look and perform like JD type halogen light bulbs, and are available with E11 (mini-candelabra), E12 (candelabra), E17 (intermediate), DC (BA15d), and E26 (medium) bases. They are also known as KX-2000 Lamps or Krypton Filled Lamps. The advantages of these bulbs over halogen is longer life, cooler burning temperature, and glass that can be handled with bare skin. Chroma High Performance/KX-2000 lamps are available in both clear and frosted glass.
MR8 Halogen Light Bulbs: MR8 Halogen Light Bulbs are 1" diameter reflector type light bulbs with 2 pins on their base. MR8 light bulbs are low voltage (6, 12, or 24 volts) and have G4 bases (4mm between pins). These halogen light bulbs have beam spreads from 9 to 26 degrees. MR8 light bulbs are found in fiber-optic decorations, novelty lamps, fountains, display cases, and track lighting.
MR11 Halogen Light Bulbs: MR11 Halogen Light Bulbs are 11/8" (1 3/8") diameter reflector type light bulbs with 2 pins on their base. MR11 light bulbs are low voltage (between 6 and 24 volts) and have either a DC (BA15d) or G4 base (sometimes called a GZ4). These bulbs are often listed by a 3 letter code called an ANSI Code (i.e. FTD, GBF) that identifies the bulbs wattage, voltage, base, and beam spread. MR11 Halogen Light Bulbs are used for fiber-optic decorations, novelty lamps, fountains, display cases, track lighting, and landscape lighting. Like MR8 light bulbs, MR11 light bulbs are available in a variety of beam spreads.
MR16 Halogen Light Bulbs: MR16 Halogen Light Bulbs are 2" diameter reflector type light bulb with 2 pins on their base. MR16 light bulbs are available in both low voltage (6-24 volts) and line voltage (120-130 volts). Like MR11 light bulbs, MR16 light bulbs are often listed by a 3 letter code called an ANSI Code (i.e. BAB, EXN) that identifies the bulbs wattage, voltage, and beam spread. MR16 halogen light bulbs have become extremely popular for use in track lighting, can lighting, display lighting, and landscape lighting. MR16 lights bulbs have pins that are either 5.3mm or 8mm apart, and they are available in a wide range of beam spreads.
R111 Halogen Light Bulbs: R111 Halogen Light Bulbs are 111mm (4.37") diameter reflector style light bulbs with a GU10 base. These bulbs are a 120 volt equivalent to AR111 light bulbs. R111 Halogen light bulbs offer precise beam patterns with no "hotspots".
BT15 Shape Halogen Light Bulbs: BT15 Halogen Light Bulbs are primarily used as a replacement for standard incandescent A19 light bulbs. They are used wherever one desires higher light output than is available from standard incandescents. BT15 light bulbs have a medium, standard light bulb, base and are available with clear or frosted glass.
Halogen Ball Lites: Halogen Ball Lites are decorative halogen globes with pins on the base. They are 14/8" diameter and have pins 5.3mm apart. They are used primarily on pendant lights or as a replacement for MR16s where directional light is not desired.
Low Voltage Xenon Light Bulbs and Line Voltage Xenon Light Bulbs
Low voltage xenon light bulbs and line voltage xenon light bulbs are great alternatives to halogen light bulbs for virtually all applications. Almost all halogen bulbs may be replaced with xenon light bulbs. Low voltage xenon light bulbs and line voltage xenon light bulbs are available in several base types, including G4, GY6.35, G8, wedge, rigid loop, festoon, mini-candelabra (E11), candelabra (E12), and D.C. base (BA15d). There are several advantages to using low voltage xenon light bulbs and line voltage xenon light bulbs:
Long Life: Low voltage xenon light bulbs and line voltage xenon light bulbs last up to 20,000 hours. Compare the long life of low voltage xenon light bulbs and line voltage xenon light bulbs to halogen light bulbs, usually rated for 2,000 hours, and you will find that xenon light bulbs are both economical and convenient. Low voltage xenon light bulbs and line voltage xenon light bulbs are especially useful in fixtures that are difficult to reach or hard to change.
Easier Installation: Handling halogen light bulbs with bare hands drastically reduces the life of the bulb. Unlike halogen light bulbs, low voltage xenon light bulbs and line voltage xenon light bulbs may be handled with bare hands. With low voltage xenon light bulbs and line voltage xenon light bulbs you will never again have to wear gloves or use cloth and paper towels to change your light bulbs.
Tolerates Unstable Voltage: Low voltage xenon light bulbs and line voltage xenon light bulbs are less likely to burn out when exposed to unstable voltage. This makes low voltage xenon bulbs especially well suited to marine applications where boats are notorious for irregular voltage.
UV Rays: Unlike halogen light bulbs, low voltage xenon light bulbs and line voltage xenon light bulbs do not emit UV rays. This quality makes low voltage xenon light bulbs and line voltage xenon light bulbs ideal for use around sensitive fabrics and artworks.
Low Pressure: In contrast to halogen light bulbs, low voltage xenon light bulbs and line voltage xenon light bulbs operate under low pressure, similar to incandescent.
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