When thinking about the image of a typical bulb, most people envision that a light bulb that many of us have used since childhood is the traditional A bulb. However, the light bulbs have been significantly developed and now they are quite diverse with many types divided by shape and size. Of course, such a variety of shapes and sizes can be not only overwhelming but even confusing.
For example, it is often assumed that E12 and B11 are the two basic types of bulbs and one has to choose them. Currently, on the market, you can find a light bulb with both E12 and B11 in its description. How?
It can be seen that the E12 vs B11 are two different specifications and they can be found on the same bulb. This is easy to confuse and confuse consumers when choosing the desired product.
E12 vs B11 Codes Explained
A torpedo or flame shape light bulb (B11 shape) with a candelabra base (E12 base)
Similar to the shape of a candle, chandeliers are the modern solution for decorative lighting equipment. The shape of the chandelier is defined in terms of code.
With a number of different types of chandelier bulbs available, the most common starts with the following letters as a prefix. For example:
- B – Ammo or “Torpedo”
- C – Candle or “Cone”
- CA – Candle corner
- F – Flame style
To determine the basis of the size of the chandelier, two variables of the code are designated to be considered. The letter “E” refers to the basis of the “Edison” type, and the following numeric value represents the diameter in millimeters.
With two abbreviations, it can be confusing for customers to choose from.
The B11 bulb simulates the shape of a candle and comes in a variety of warm antique finishes.
E12 describes the base type of the bulb and is the Edison screw base of the lampstand.
E12 helps you decide which bulb base will fit with the socket your fixture has and after that, B11 helps you to choose the desired bulb shape.
As mentioned, the symbol E12 denotes the shape of the base, which helps you identify it from other types of soles. B11 indicates the shape of the light bulb, to avoid confusion when shopping.
Confusion often arises because these two codes and descriptions are usually found in the SAME bulb. Hopefully, the research and research of Laokoon Lamp will help partly to reduce the confusion when choosing.
*** Refer to more useful article: https://www.houzz.com/discussions/2813084/b10-the-same-as-e12-light-bulbs-help
Diameter Specification B11 vs E12
Lighting technology is changing day by day, manufacturers are constantly introducing new products with high lighting efficiency and features, modern technology.
These products gradually replace old lamps that both consume electricity, have low efficiency, and long service life.
With the intended use, customers can choose and use different lamps in practical applications.
Firstly, are materials and designs reasonable, durable, and beautiful? Each type of lamp has its own illumination characteristics and light color. How much power is used?
Life expectancy how much? Is the diameter, size, weight of the product suitable for your requirement?
Led light parameters are specifications on the lamp body to help users choose the right product. This is an important factor to have an efficient and optimal lighting system that suits the user’s needs.
Diameter is a must and should be kept in mind when you want to buy bulbs. If you choose the ball with the wrong diameter. This will close the gap between the ball and the metal housing, causing heat and poor illumination. This would be a bad choice.
B11 and E12 both have ideal diameters.
The bulb with base E12 is an Edison screw in the base 12 mm in diameter.
It’s the diameter of the screw base in millimeters, so an E12 light bulb has an Edison Screw base that’s 12 millimeters in diameter. It’s also known as a candelabra-style bulb.
Think of chandeliers, night-lights, or candelabra-style lamps with the smaller bulbs to envision an E12 bulb base.
The B11 is 1-3/8 inches in diameter and 3.88 inches in length.
Both of them help your home lighting system to have perfect brightness. Accompanying it is a wide application, can be suitable for any space, reasonable price, easy to find.
Where Are B11 E12 Bulbs Used?
Lighting installation is an innovative and perfect choice for the user, but not everyone knows where this lamp is installed.
Installed in the right position, will help the light bulb bring into full play, save electricity and make the room brighter and more beautiful.
Priming a living space, there will be a function of its own. For example, in the living room, the brightness will be very different from the kitchen…
- In the kitchen, when cooking food, for convenient cooking, in addition to using high-brightness LEDs, there must also be a choice of lamps with high color rendering.
- For the living room or the common room, we don’t need too much light. Usually, for the living room, we usually arrange the ceiling lights and chandeliers.
In addition, you can also use some wall lights to create a lively space for this space.
B11 & E12 is most commonly used for decorative bulbs, lampstands in living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, kitchens… It can adapt to all circumstances, locations, spaces.
With the smaller screw base, more compact and decorative form factors can be achieved. In the complex ceiling and chandelier lighting fixtures.
Therefore, the power rating for B11 E12 incandescent bulbs is typically 40W or less. Wall lamps, lanterns, and outdoor fixtures are common places to use E12 lamp holders.
The form of light is so important for aesthetic purposes that the B11 E12 is often used as decorative fixtures.
If you are looking to decorate your home with many lights installed everywhere, the B11 E12 will help you.
With the application suitable for all installations, all decorative lights save your family money, I recommend you learn about the B11 E12.
This shade is also easy to install. You can replace them on your own as needed without needing a repair team that costs thousands of dollars.
What’s more, it’s easy to find. You can find it on electronic sites, electrical stores, supermarkets near your home, night markets …
Now you can design and install your own home bulbs.
5 Frequently Asked Questions
When you want to buy or use a product, anyone has many questions. Here are some questions we synthesized to explain for you to understand more about B11 and E12.
#1. Are B12 and E12 bulbs the same?
- As mentioned above, the E12 is just the diameter size of the lamp – 12mm.
- The B12 bulb has a glass diameter of 12*1/8 inch.
- So B12 and E12 bulbs are the same.
#2. What is equivalent to an E12 bulb?
E12 is often used for decorative lighting applications, such as chandeliers, wall lamps, night lamps. And lamps with E12 – 12mm diameter caps are often simulated in the shape of a flame or ball.
Some bulbs with E12 socket are:
- Small bulb tubes: T8, T6, T22
- Light bulbs: C7, C9, CA10, B10
- Small bulb: G14, G16, G50
#3. Are B10 and E12 bulbs interchangeable?
E12 US small candle shape light bulb base. Candelabra Edison screw, 12mm base diameter.
The B10 refers to the glass diameter of a small US candle shape light bulb. The B10 bulb has a glass diameter of 10*1/8inch.
B10 and E12 are not interchangeable.
#4. Are E11 and E12 bulbs interchangeable?
E11 (mini candelabra) is 11mm in diameter and is a bit smaller than E12 (candelabra) which is 12mm in diameter. E11’s are most commonly used for small, halogen (hot!) bulbs and E12’s for decorative lights.
E11 and E12 are not interchangeable. Other semi-standard screw thread sizes are available for certain specific applications.
#5. Are E12 and E14 bulbs interchangeable?
As the name suggests, the fitting is 12 millimeters in diameter size and is often deemed the Candelabra Edison Screw (CES). It is the home of C7-sized lamps, so if you bought a C7 lamp before, it utilized the E12 fitting.
As mentioned before, the E12 fitting is very commonly used for 120-volt candelabra/chandelier lamps usage. It is also often found in lightings for boats, as well as some Christmas and other decorative lamps.
E14 Or SES standing for Small Edison Screw is a very common size used throughout Europe and the UK. It is found in many types of small light fittings around the home from bedside table lamps to wall lights and chandeliers.
Many shapes of the bulb are available with an E14 cap including Candles, Golf balls, small reflector spotlights, and small decorative filament bulbs. Be sure to know what shape will best suit your fitting.
The 14 millimeters Edison screw is also called the Small Edison Screw (SES), and the term “SES bulbs” is often used. Its main applications are for 230-Volt bulbs, especially the smaller candelabra bulbs.
So, if you live in Asia, Australia, Europe, New Zealand, Africa, and most South American countries, most likely you’ve seen this fitting before.
Its application can vary widely and the bulbs can come in many shapes such as golf-ball shape, candle (chandelier) shape, pygmy shape, and traditional bulb (ball) shape.
If you live in a country with a 230-Volt voltage, most likely E14 is the standard socket for many of your smaller household bulbs.
If you ever have an inflatable Santa Claus, the lamp also often use the E14 fitting.
So E12 and E14 bulbs are not interchangeable.
Conclusion
With the knowledge and experience that we share above, we believe you will get a perfect choice for your home space. B11 and E12 will be useful furniture for you, so find yourself a smart light and suitable for your own space.