While light bulbs all share equivalent functions, not all light bulbs are the same. They are designed with different characteristics and are intended to be utilized for specific purposes. For every light fixture or application, such as a ceiling fan or refrigerator light, there’s going to be a specific bulb or shape that will work best and provide the right type of light necessary.
A light bulb’s identifying characteristics are represented by a letter or series of letters and a number. This combination of letters and numbers is what’s known as light bulb codes. The number represents a bulb’s size in millimeters or eighths of an inch while the letter specifies its shape.
LED bulbs categorized as A light bulbs are some of the most widely used lighting solutions. The letter stands for standard household/ arbitrary as they are commonly used for most household fixtures. The number 15 on A15 light bulbs indicates the bulb has a size of 1-7/8th in. or a diameter of 1.875 in. They’re typically compatible with medium screw bases or the candelabra base.
While both A19 and A15 light bulbs feature identical light bulb shapes, the difference between them is their diameter. While an A15 light bulb has a diameter of 15/8 in, or 1-7/8 in (48 mm) as previously mentioned, an A19 bulb has a diameter of 19/8 in or 2-3/8 in (60 mm).
Also called an E12 base, a candelabra base is the name for a small light bulb base that screws into a variety of decorative fixtures such as nightlights and chandeliers. To be categorized as a candelabra bulb base, it must be a certain size (E12). Some A15 light bulbs are available in an E12 base, meaning they are intended for candelabras.
The wattage of a light bulb refers to the amount of energy it takes to produce a certain amount of light. Traditionally, higher wattage corresponds to brighter illumination. A15 light bulbs come in a variety of wattages that are ideal for general lighting purposes, including but not limited to:
An A15 light bulb usually ranges from 5 watts (40 watts equivalent) and 5 1/2 watts (60w equivalent).
Another way to categorize light bulbs is based on their voltage. The voltage associated with a light bulb refers to the amount of electricity that is going into the bulb from a battery or electrical outlet. The greater the voltage, the greater the flow of electrical current used.
Understanding the appropriate voltage of a specific bulb is important because not using the correct voltage bulb can lead to several costly incidents. In terms of A15 light bulbs, 12 volts are the most common.
Advances in technology continue to bring innovations, including how people light homes and commercial buildings. In the beginning, all that was available was the standard, incandescent light bulb. That changed with the introduction of compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs. While compact CFLs have been a popular lighting choice for many years, more and more people are making the switch to light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs because of their advantages over other options.
The benefits you can expect with LED bulbs include:
Change out those old CFL and incandescent light bulbs with LED bulbs from HomElectrical. To better serve our customers and meet heir unique needs, our LED bulbs are available in a variety of types of sizes, including A15 light bulbs.
A great option for general, household lighting, our selection medium-base, A-shape bulbs comes in multiple filaments and color temperatures, including warm white, soft white, cool white, and bright white. Our bulbs are also available in both dimmable and non-dimmable options. HomElectrical carries lightbulbs from brands like Satco, LEDvance Sylvania, and more. For more information about our other energy star lighting solutions and warranties, check out our selection or register at HomElectrical today.