<\/figure>\n\n\n\nA bi-pin base is a light bulb fitting included in the International Electronic Commission standard. The letter G dates back to the original light bulb made of glass, and the number describes the distance between two pins in millimeters. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
These bases can be identified by two pin-like contact points at the bottom. The pins connect the bulb to the voltage, and the electrical current flows through the pins into the light bulb to emit light. Some low-power bulbs, also called mini bi-pins, have the pins closer to each other, preventing them from being replaced by bulbs that are too high in power. This prevents fire due to generating excessive heat. These bulb bases are often used on small incandescent light bulbs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this section of the article, we will talk about various bi-pin light bulb bases. The light bulb base size chart <\/strong>given below gives a comparative depiction of various bi-pin bulb bases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\nG4<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe number 4 in the name G4 indicates the center-to-center distance between the two pins of the bulb base, in millimeters. Hence, the G4 light bulb base is a bi-pin bulb base with 4 millimeters distance between the two pins. The bulb base comes in 6, 12, or 24 Volts. The G4 bulb base is ideal for decorative fixtures, cabinet lighting, projector lamps, dental lamps, and caravan lamps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
GU4<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\nLike the G4 light bulb base, even the GU4 bulb base both have two pins and a pin spacing of 4 millimeters. Hence, both the bulb bases are bi-pin bulbs for low-power bulbs. The difference between the two bulb bases is that the GU4 type base has a pair of grooves on the sides to hold the lamp in place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
GU5.3<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe GU5.3 light bulb base is a bi-pin base with two pins 5.3 millimeters apart. The bulb base types are ideal for spotlights, track lighting, recessed ceiling lights, etc. GU5.3 is a typical fitting for MR16 lighting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
GU8\/GY8<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\nBoth GU8 and GY8 light bulb bases are bi-pin bases with 8 millimeters distance between the pins. The difference between GU8 and GY8 base is the pin length. While the pin length of the GU8 bulb base is 8 millimeters, the pin length of the GY8 bulb base is 8.5 millimeters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The pin thickness of both the bases is the same, i.e., 1 millimeter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Though the pin length for both the bases is different, for most applications, the bases can be interchanged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
GY8.6<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe GY 8.6 bulb base is a bi-pin bulb base with an 8.6 millimeters distance between the pins. The bulb base is commonly used for halogen and LED lights and is suitable for ceiling lights, desk lamps, side table lamps, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
G9<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\nA G9 bulb base is a paperclip end bulb base with two pins 9 millimeters apart. The G9 light bulb base is a high-quality bulb base with an efficient capsule that does not require a transformer. The bulb base is suitable for 240V applications and is suitable for ceiling lights, desk lamps, and side table lamps. G9 bulb base is available with halogens and LED lighting, with dimmable options available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
G12<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe G12 bulb base has two paper clip pins 12 millimeters apart and a ceramic base as the contact point. These bulb bases are commonly used in stadium lights, flood lights, architectural lighting, and photography and film lighting equipment. G12 bulb base is most often found on high-intensity discharge lighting and other metal halide lighting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
FAQs<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nQ1. What are the different light bulb bases?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nAnswer –<\/strong> There are different light bulb bases used for various lights. The two most common bulb bases are the Edison screw base and the Bi-pin base.<\/p>\n\n\n\nQ2. What is a bulb base code? Is it different from the bulb code?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nAnswer –<\/strong> A light bulb base code is a combination of letters and numbers wherein the letter represents the type of bulb base, and the number represents the code size of the bulb base. A bulb base code tells us about the shape and size of the metallic bulb base that is installed into the socket, but the bulb code represents the shape and size of the glass bulb. <\/p>\n\n\n\nQ3. How do I know what base my light bulb is?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nAnswer –<\/strong> Identify the code of your bulb base by observing the type of the base and measuring its size. A bulb base with a screw is an Edison screw bulb base, and the bulb base with two pins is a bi-pin bulb base. The size of the Edison screw bulb base is the diameter of the wide part of the base. In contrast, the size of a bi-pin bulb base is the distance between the two pins of pins.<\/p>\n\n\n\nQ4. Is E26 a standard bulb base across the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nAnswer –<\/strong> E26 is the standard bulb base in North America and other countries like Japan, Taiwan, etc., where the standard voltage is 120V, whereas the E27 bulb base is the standard light bulb base size in Europe and other countries with a standard voltage of 220V. <\/p>\n\n\n\nQ5. Can I use the E26 bulb in the E27 fixture?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nAnswer –<\/strong> E26 bulbs are designed for the market, which primarily uses 120V AC, whereas E27 lamps are designed for other markets which use 240V AC. You may be able to use an E27 bulb in the E26 socket, but using E26 bulbs in E27 sockets is not advised as E26 light bulbs offer lesser insulation and protection against short circuits and electrical fires. <\/p>\n\n\n\n