Once my friend questioned me -How to know the LED light bulb voltage while I need any replacement? Not only for him now, it is a frequently asked question, may you also the same.
Go through our lesson; here we’ve highlighted details regarding LED light bulb voltage, type of voltage, how the effect on brightness & so on.
How to know the LED Light Bulb Voltage
What does voltage mean?
Voltage means the force of electricity measures the output of an electrical outlet going into the bulb. The more the voltage, the flow of electrical current will the more.
Your lighting fixtures should match with your country specified voltage for proper & safe installation. Hence, some standard voltages are 120V, 130V, or 12V (very low-voltage bulbs).
LED light bulb voltage:
As a new type of lighting, LEDs’ working ways are relatively non-identical to regular lighting solutions. – Some major, and some minor.
Knowing the voltage of the light bulb is crucial while buying a new one or replacing the old one- as they have differences.
- By voltage LED light bulbs are classified in 2 primary sorts –
- Mains voltage-120 volt (also called as line voltage).
- Minor voltage-12 volt (also called as low voltage).
Go to our respective product pages to get more information about the voltage of any bulb we store for you.
Line Voltage:
The bulbs we use for our common lighting purpose recognized line or mains voltage. As per its name line or mains, voltage bulbs go strictly off the line 230V electricity supply (AC).
Directly speaking, as line voltage LED, there is nothing– though all LEDs use direct current on low voltage.
If you intend to replace an LED bulb with a regular line voltage bulb, you only need a ‘driver’ to redo the power supply. LED bulbs are designed in such this way.
Hence, you just plug straight in mains voltage LEDs, you must be able to do this as there is a driver housed the unit centrally.
You’ll find the GU10 LED Bulb is slightly longer while comparing a 12V MR16 LED with 230V GU10 LED Bulb – as a driver house is there.
Low Voltage:
Low voltage bulbs (12V rather than 230V) are made to work where a line supply isn’t available. There is no driver housed central the unit. Low voltage bulbs are commonly used in motor homes, cars, and boats. Also, use in a safe place like a kitchen, bathroom, and garden.
You can use the line electricity supply to a low voltage bulb using a separate unit (transformer).
The transformer depletes the mains voltage and transforms the power from AC to DC.
You require a LED-compatible driver to upgrade a low voltage LED bulb, but you should change transformers together.
MR16 is the most regular low voltage LED bulb-that is a low voltage style of the GU10. MR11, MR16 & G4 is also low voltage LED bulb.
How voltage relates to LED light bulbs?
To operate a bulb selecting the right voltage is crucial. According to the voltage ratio, LEDs are relatively classified into two parts.
We always suggest you use the right voltage or upper than the allowed ratio.
As a specimen if you use130V instead of 120V bulbs you will find some changes in using:
- Use less energy.
- Cooler blazing bulb.
- Longer life.
- Best handling of voltage flows.
- Lower output of lumens.
- Color temperature also lower.
On the other side, instead of 12 volts, if you use a 120-volt bulb the same fixture, the bulb must not light on. If you do, the vice-versa 12-volt bulb will permanently be damaged.
To select the correct bulb for your fixture socket or a lamp knows the bulb base, this will be very helpful.
How brightness changes with voltage?
With the drop of voltage LED light bulbs lose its brightness. As a specimen
Fall of Track Voltage vs. a loss of Light brightness:
5% fall in voltage => 5% Loss of LED Bulb = brightness loss in 20%.
10% fall in voltage => 10% Loss of LED Bulb = brightness loss in 35%.
LED voltage limit by color:
Our experts offer you a table regarding LED voltage limit by color (with Wikipedia available data).
| Color | Wavelength(nm) | Voltage drop at 20ma |
| Red | 610 < Λ < 760 | Between 1.63V and 2.03V |
| Infra-Red | 610 < Λ < 760 | Between 1.63V and 2.03V |
| Yellow | 570 < Λ < 590 | Between 2.10V and 2.18V |
| Orange | 610 < Λ < 760 | Between 2.03V and 2.10V |
| Green | 500 < Λ 570 | Between 1.9V and 4.0V |
| Blue | 450 < Λ < 500 | Between 2.48V and 3.7V |
| Violet | 400 < Λ < 450 | Between 2.76V and 4.0V |
| Ultraviolet | Λ < 400 | Between 3.0V and 4.0V |
| Purple | – | Between 2.48V and 3.7V |
| Pink | – | Approx 3.3V |
It is effortless to check whether bulb fits make differences between voltages of the LED bulb while replacing & changing them.
To know more about led light bulb voltage
If you dare to do that or need any help, simply contact our expert or leave a comment.