The most common voltage for electric light bulbs is 120 volts 120v.
Does voltage matter for light bulbs.
It determines amount of mechanical thermal or electrical power.
Let s say you have a 120 watt light bulb plugged into a wall socket.
The voltage is 120 volts and a 120 watt bulb has 1 amp flowing through it.
The 60 watt equivalent bright from the start cfl light bulb from ge for example uses exactly 15.
If the old lightbulb was a little too dim they might opt for a higher wattage bulb to improve the illumination.
Does voltage matter for light bulbs.
We did it for decades focusing on this measure of electrical flow.
For most cfl bulbs the actual power draw is about 25 percent of the equivalent incandescent bulb.
Does wattage matter for light bulbs.
This is the default voltage for most lighting fixtures.
This thin wire resists the flow of electrons.
However if you can you.
We are used to buying bulbs taking into account their wattage.
Hose theory to understand this phenomenon an analogy is useful.
Watt is a basic unit.
Choosing the correct voltage is crucial for the bulb operation.
Understanding voltage amps watts.
If you look at a store display of light bulbs you ll see dozens of shapes sizes and colors.
Almost all of them will have a printed description about the voltage and wattage of each particular bulb.
The filament of a light bulb is an extremely thin wire.
If the bulb isn t an incandescent bulb it won t draw 60 watts.
When it goes about light bulbs wattage determines its.
Think of a garden hose.
And a 120 volt bulb wouldn t even light up with 12 volts applied to it.
You won t generally have much choice in the voltage as it ll be supplied by whatever voltage your system runs at.
For example a 12 volt malibu light bulb would immediately burn out if you applied 120 volts to it.
There is potential danger here however because light fixtures carry a maximum wattage rating and if bulbs are installed that exceed this rating there is the potential for overheating the fixture.
The watts it will draw will be printed somewhere on the package.
However as a trade off the bulb is also slightly dimmer and has a lower more yellow color temperature.
You can calculate the resistance of the wire with the resistance equation.
This is the default voltage for most lighting fixtures.
When a bulb burns out most people simply grab whatever spare lightbulb is available.
The wattage is how much power the bulb uses to operate and is basically an indication of how bright it will be.
You have to have a bulb that operates on the correct voltage.
However some lighting fixtures are low voltage.
