Will LED bulbs work in my existing fittings?
Switching to LED bulbs is a fantastic and increasingly popular way to save energy and reduce the cost of utility bills. However, a common question is whether or not these modern bulbs will work with existing light fittings and fixtures. For the most part, yes they will. But there are a few things that will need to be considered to ensure that they will be compatible.
The Compatibility of LED Bulbs and Fittings
The primary factor that determines the compatibility for any sort of light is the base or cap type. LED manufacturers have designed bulbs to match all standard cap types and these are labelled by cap type numbers (such as E27 or B22). The other things you will need to check are the voltage; lumens and whether or not you want to dim your light.
Key Compatibility Checks
1. Bulb Base/Cap Type
To check this you will need to match the base of the new LED bulb to the socket in your fitting. Common types include E27, GU10, B22. The format will always be similar to this. These should be marked on your old bulb that you are looking to replace.
2. Voltage (Mains vs. Low Voltage)
Most household fittings in the UK operate on mains voltage (230V/240V), and most standard LED bulbs are designed for this. You may have some instances where the bulb will need to run on 12v. This is common for MR16s for example but LED versions of this should run on the same voltage. If in doubt you can check the manufacturer’s specifications and this should be listed there. If you have a 12v bulb you will need to check your transformer is compatible and you may need a specialised LED one or a lower one due to LEDs using less power than incandescent or halogen bulbs.
3. Physical Size and Shape
While the base might fit, the length and width of the LED bulb should also be considered, especially in enclosed fixtures or fixtures with a shade. The fixture may have been designed with a particular size of bulb in mind and it doesn’t closely match this could lead to potential issues for the fitting and the bulb. It may also affect how the bulbs look within the fitting.
4. Dimmable Circuits
If your existing fitting is connected to a dimmer switch, you will need to use LED bulbs that are labelled as Dimmable. If it does not say it is dimmable, you should assume that it is not. Any LED bulbs that are not made to be dimmable will not work with a dimmer switch. You will also need to check the dimmer to make sure it can work with LEDs.
5. Wattage and Brightness
LED wattage is much lower than traditional bulbs as it uses less power for the same light output. You should go by lumens as lumens are how brightness is measured. This will be the same across all sorts of lighting technology making it the best way to compare brightness. You should also make sure that the LED wattage is less than or equal to the maximum wattage for your fitting, it is unlikely that it will be higher if you are looking to replace like for like but this is still a recommended precautionary measure.
