Bulb Bases

Light Bulb Bases


Edison Base Chart Further Explanation Light Bulb Shape	More Bulb Shapes

Edison Base Chart

Size	Name	Base Major	Usage	Notes
Edison Light Socket Sizes Chart
E5	Lilliput Edison Screw (LES)	5 mm	Decorative, Indicators	Another name is “Midget”
E10	Miniature Edison Screw (MES)	10 mm	Bicycle Lights, Flashlights	Also called “Miniature Screw”
E11	Mini-Candelabra Edison Screw (mini-can)	11 mm	20v Halogen Mini Candelabra
E12	Candelabra Edison Screw (CES)	e12 mm	120v Candelabra, Night Lamp	It can be called “Candelabra”, C7 Common US Socket
E14	Small Edison Screw (SES)	14 mm	230v Candelabra, Chandelier, Night Lamp, Pendant Light
E17	Intermediate Edison Screw (IES)	17 mm	120v Appliances	Another name is “Intermediate”, C9
E26	Edison Screw (ES or MES)	26 mm	Standard 120v Lights	AKA “Medium”, Most Common US Socket
E27	Edison Screw (ES)	27 mm	AKA “European Intermediate”
E29	Admedium Edison Screw (ES)	39 mm	Specific Applications such as UV Spotlight Lamps
E39	Sing-contact Goliath Edison Screw (GES)	40 mm	120v 250+ W Industrial	Known as “Mogul”, Common US Socket
E40	Goliath Edison Screw (GES)



A further explanation
of the light bulb base sizes, you can look at the letter-number references
(E12, E17, and E26) to help understand a bulbs base style and size. The
first letter designates the shape or form of the base, and the number
represents the width of the base (normally in millimeters). For example, our
11S14 bulb has an E26 base — the "E" refers to the style which is an
Edison screw-in, and the 26 means it has a 26 mm base width.



Light Bulb Shapes
Similar to identifying a base size, light bulbs use a letter-number
reference to reflect the shape and size of a light bulb. The letter refers
to the shape, and the number refers to the size*. Here's a list of the
letters used for bulbs we carry and their meaning:

A (Arbitrary) ... Most closely resembles a standard household bulb.
C (Conic) ... Often referred to as like a traditional Christmas tree bulb.
G (Globe) ... Round or circular shape.
S (Sign) ... Sometimes called straight-sided, they were traditionally used
in signs.
ST (Straight Tapered) ... This shape is most often seen in vintage, Edison
-style bulbs.
T (Tubular) ... A tall narrow tube-shape often used in vintage, Edison
-style bulbs.

Below shows the bulb styles available at PartyLights.com for our decorative
string lights:
    

*The size of the globe part of a light bulb varies with decorative lighting.
Most bulbs are measured in eighths of an inch, however decorative lighting
globe-shaped (or G) bulbs are measured in millimeters. For example, an S14
would be a sign bulb shape and 14/8" (or 1.75") and our decorative lighting
G40 bulbs are globe shape and 40 mm (or approximately 1.5"). Alternatively,
a purchased brand (e.g., GE or Sylvania) of a non-decorative lighting,
standard household bulb may have a G40 bulb that is 40/8" in size (or 5").
An industry confusion for sure, so for accurate sizing of our decorative
string light bulbs, be sure to refer to each item's product specs.
Bulb Comparison

The image below compares our three C7 (E12) base bulb sizes: G30, G40 and
G50.  
    

Bulb Comparison - G30, G40, G50 Globe Sizes
    

The image below compares our G40 and G50 bulbs in C7 and C9 base sizes.
    

Bulb Comparison - G40 & G50 in C7 and C9 Socket Sizes

The image below compares our G50 bulbs in all three base sizes.
    
Bulb Comparison - G50 in three socket sizes



More Bulb Shapes