B15 | B22 LED Bulbs
What is a bayonet bulb?
The bayonet bulb is a bulb with two pins that slide inwards and then expand into the slots inside the base when they are in place. The B22 bulb base and the B15 bulb base are so-called bayonet bulbs. The standard sizes have a diameter of 22 mm (B22), and there are smaller sizes, such as the B15 with a diameter of 15 mm.
Is it possible to replace bayonet bulbs by bulbs with a screw base?
The bayonet socketsystem is older than the modern system of screw bulbs. However, this model is still the standard version for some products, despite the popularity of various other sockets, such as the E27 LED bulb and the E14 LED bulb. Nevertheless, bayonet sockets are gradually being withdrawn from the market. In the UK, B22 bayonet bulbs are traditionally used for domestic lighting. They are used in older installations as they are replaced by modern E14 or E27 screw-type bulbs. Bayonet bulbs are still wanted and appreciated for antique or artistic lighting designs.
There are all kinds of B22 or B15 base fittings and we will guide you in the next section to choose the ones you need; you will be able to replace them while waiting for your electrical installation to be modernised. Of course we strongly recommend that you replace them with screw-in LED bulbs as soon as possible: your home, building or apartment block will then comply with the existing safety standards.
How do I choose the right B22 LED bulb?
Before buying a B22 bulb, it is important to understand how it is fixed in order to avoid using the wrong type of socket: the socket simply has to be compatible with the bulb socket and the bulb has to fit.
- Dimmable B22 options
A dimmable B22 bulb is a suitable option for creating a special atmosphere in a room or simply for saving more energy.
- What color temperatures are available for B22 bulbs?
When selecting a bulb with a bayonet base type B22, it may be wise to consider the appropriate colour temperature, which is measured in degrees Kelvin (K). This is indicated in the product description. The higher the number Kelvin, the cooler the colour temperature. A B22 LED bulb: - between 1,500 and 3,500 K is recommended for a room intended for relaxation; - between 3,500 and 6,500 K promotes concentration at work. In short, a B22 LED bulb is an effective alternative to incandescent bulbs. B22 LED bulbs are available in warm white, cool white and daylight.
- Light intensity
The amount of watts is often thought of when talking about light output. This is the yardstick used to determine the output of a conventional bulb. The higher the wattage, the brighter the light, the higher the energy consumption! LED bulbs consume much less energy to produce light. The unit of reference is therefore different. The lumen (lm) is applicable. This unit does not give information about the power, but about the amount of light emitted. Of course, the unit watt is still used for LEDs, but this can be misleading. For example, an LED bulb of 9.5 watts (or approximately 800 lm) is equivalent to an incandescent bulb of 60 watts.
What types of B22 LED bulbs are available?
First of all, it is important to know that the base of a B22 LED bulb has the same dimensions, regardless of the shape of the bulb. It can take the shape of: bulb; pear; flame; candle; globe; Edison.
What can you use LED bayonet bulbs for?
This product is becoming less common, but is still present on many old chandeliers or on building site sockets. They are also often seen on outdoor guinguettes. These bulbs offer many possibilities because they can be used in most rooms of the house. You can use the LED B22 bulb in the living room as well as in the bedroom to create a warm atmosphere. They have a high colour rendering index, so they will not distort the true colour of your furniture. The B15 bulbs are particularly suitable for sewing machines. With excellent colour rendering and light distribution, our LED B22 base bulbs provide quality lighting for residential areas, restaurants and hotels. In addition, they are ideal for use in rooms that need to be brightly lit for long periods of time.
Finally, there are other variants of bayonet bulbs. If another capital letter follows the B for the basic type, this corresponds to a different specification of the bulb. For example, the letter "A" refers to the automotive sector ("A" stands for automotive). There are different socket designations depending on the type of car light:
BA15s: direction indicators, brake lights, reversing lights, rear fog lights, daytime running lights and number plate lights.
BAU15s: direction indicator (coloured lights)
How do I replace a bayonet bulb?
Installation is quick and easy in just 30 seconds. No electrical adjustments are needed either. With its 2 pins on the side, it has to be pushed in and cbulbed by the base. It is hooked onto the socket with a push-twist movement and is not screwed down while turning.
What are the advantages of bayonet bulbs?
These bulbs operate on 230 Volts (without a transformer). B22 bulbs are also reliable and robust. They are available in various wattages (from 2 to 15 watts), both for the main illumination of a room and for small decorative lights. Compared to incandescent or compact fluorescent bulbs, this type of bulb has a higher light output and produces a powerful and even light without sacrificing efficiency. Its greater energy efficiency results in lower electricity consumption.
Another great advantage is the speed with which a B22 and B15 LED bulb lights up. They guarantee instant illumination from the moment they are switched on, which means you don't have to wait for the light to be perfect. In addition, they give off very little heat compared to incandescent bulbs, which can be an advantage in some places where the heat output of bulbs can be a problem. There is no risk of burning. In addition, LEDs do not emit ultraviolet rays, are recyclable and do not pollute the environment, especially since they do not contain any material that is harmful to health.
- Significant savings and unrivalled service life
The power consumption of a bayonet LED bulb is approximately 8 to 10 times lower than that of an incandescent bulb, which results in significant savings in energy costs. In addition, LED B22 and LED B15 are specially designed to last, as they have a very long service life: between 10,000 and 25,000 hours on average. Moreover, the bulb still performs well at the end of its lifecycle.
LED lighting may be slightly more expensive than incandescent bulbs, but LED has a longer lifespan. This means that they almost never need to be replaced. This is very advantageous as one has to remember the cost of replacing a bulb, for example in buildings without a concierge.