Light · 20 answers
Bulbs, battens & holders
बल्ब, बैटन और होल्डर
B22 or E27, emergency bulbs, tube-light swaps and holders.
What's the difference between B22 and E27 bulbs?
B22 is a 22 mm bayonet cap with two side pins that you push and twist — the usual cap in Indian homes. E27 is a 27 mm screw (Edison) cap common in decorative and imported fittings. They aren't interchangeable; match the bulb to the holder or use a proper adaptor.
हिंदी B22 पिन वाली (दबाकर घुमाने वाली) कैप है जो भारत में आम है; E27 चूड़ी वाली (स्क्रू) कैप है। होल्डर के हिसाब से बल्ब लें।
What is an emergency (inverter) LED bulb?
It has a rechargeable battery inside that charges while the bulb is on and keeps it lit for some time during a power cut, without an inverter. Backup time depends on the battery; check the hours printed on the pack. The wall switch must stay on for it to work during the cut.
हिंदी इमरजेंसी बल्ब में अंदर बैटरी होती है जो बिजली जाने पर कुछ घंटे रोशनी देती है। स्विच ऑन रहना चाहिए।
Should I replace old tube lights with LED battens?
Yes. An LED batten gives similar or more light than a 40 W fluorescent tube for roughly half the power or less, starts instantly, needs no choke or starter, and doesn't contain mercury. Replace the whole fitting rather than just the tube.
हिंदी हाँ। LED बैटन पुरानी 40 W ट्यूबलाइट जितनी रोशनी आधी या कम बिजली में देती है, चोक-स्टार्टर नहीं चाहिए।
What's the difference between T5 and T8 tubes?
The number is the tube's diameter in eighths of an inch: T5 is about 16 mm across and T8 about 26 mm. T5 fittings are slimmer; T8 is the classic tube-light size. With LED, one-piece battens have largely replaced both.
हिंदी T5 ट्यूब लगभग 16 मिमी और T8 लगभग 26 मिमी मोटी होती है। अब ज़्यादातर एक-पीस LED बैटन लगती है।
Which LED bulb wattage should I buy?
Go by the light you need, not the old wattage: around 800–950 lumens (often a 9 W LED) replaces a 60 W bulb, and 1,300–1,600 lumens (often 12–15 W) replaces a 100 W bulb. For a whole room, use panels or several fittings rather than one very bright bulb.
हिंदी 60 W बल्ब की जगह लगभग 800–950 ल्यूमेन (अक्सर 9 W LED) और 100 W की जगह 1,300–1,600 ल्यूमेन (अक्सर 12–15 W) लें।
How much power does an LED night lamp use?
A small LED night lamp uses well under 1 W — left on every night for eight hours it uses only a couple of units in a whole year. It's one of the cheapest lights to run.
हिंदी LED नाइट लैंप 1 वाट से भी कम लेता है — पूरे साल रात भर जलाने पर भी कुछ ही यूनिट।
Why do LED bulbs fail in closed light fittings?
A sealed glass shade traps heat around the bulb's driver, which shortens its life. Use bulbs marked suitable for enclosed fittings, choose a fitting with ventilation, or use an integrated LED fitting designed to shed its own heat.
हिंदी बंद शेड में गर्मी रुकती है जिससे बल्ब का ड्राइवर जल्दी खराब होता है। हवादार फिटिंग या 'एनक्लोज़्ड फिटिंग' वाला बल्ब लें।
What are coloured LED bulbs used for?
Decoration, festivals, temples, signboards and mood lighting. They use very little power, so strings of colour bulbs on a facade cost little to run; for outdoor strings use weather-protected holders and an RCCB-protected circuit.
हिंदी रंगीन बल्ब सजावट, त्योहार, मंदिर और साइनबोर्ड के लिए हैं। बाहर लगाने हों तो वॉटरप्रूफ होल्डर और RCCB रखें।
Why is my bulb holder black or burnt?
Usually a loose contact or worn spring in the holder creates heat and sparking, sometimes from a bulb that's too hot for the holder. Switch off, replace the holder with a good-quality one, and check the wire ends — burnt insulation means the connection needs redoing.
हिंदी होल्डर काला पड़ना ढीले कनेक्शन या घिसे स्प्रिंग से गर्मी का संकेत है। होल्डर बदलें और तार के सिरे ठीक करें।
What kinds of lamp holders are there?
Batten holders screw flat onto a wall or ceiling, angle holders tilt the bulb outwards from a wall, pendant holders hang on a flexible cord, and ceiling holders fix to a ceiling rose. All come in B22 or E27; choose heat-resistant materials for higher-wattage bulbs.
हिंदी बैटन होल्डर दीवार/छत पर, एंगल होल्डर तिरछा, पेंडेंट होल्डर तार से लटकने वाला। B22 या E27 में मिलते हैं।
What is a ceiling rose?
A ceiling rose is the small round box on the ceiling where the fixed wiring connects to a pendant light's flexible cord or to a fan's supply. It keeps the joints enclosed and takes the weight off the wire terminals.
हिंदी सीलिंग रोज़ छत पर लगा छोटा गोल बॉक्स है जहाँ वायरिंग पेंडेंट लाइट या पंखे की तार से जुड़ती है।
Why does my LED bulb buzz or hum?
A faint buzz usually comes from the driver's components, and is worse on a dimmer that isn't LED-compatible. If a bulb hums loudly, flickers or smells hot, switch it off and replace it.
हिंदी LED बल्ब की भनभनाहट ड्राइवर से आती है, खासकर गलत डिमर पर। तेज़ आवाज़ या गर्म गंध हो तो बदल दें।
Do LED bulbs contain mercury?
No. Unlike CFLs and fluorescent tubes, LED bulbs contain no mercury. Old CFLs and tubes should still be disposed of carefully — don't break them indoors, and hand them in with e-waste where collection is available.
हिंदी नहीं, LED बल्ब में पारा (मर्करी) नहीं होता; पुरानी CFL और ट्यूब को सावधानी से ई-वेस्ट में दें।
What is a filament LED bulb?
A filament LED bulb uses thin LED strips that look like the glowing filaments of old bulbs, in clear glass. It gives a vintage look for pendants and cafés with LED efficiency.
हिंदी फ़िलामेंट LED बल्ब में पुराने बल्ब जैसे धागे दिखते हैं, पर बिजली LED जितनी कम लगती है।
Can I use an LED bulb in a ceiling-fan light kit?
Usually yes, if the cap and size fit. Avoid putting standard LED bulbs on a circuit controlled by the fan's speed regulator — the light should have its own switch.
हिंदी हाँ, अगर कैप और साइज़ फिट हो; पर लाइट को पंखे के रेगुलेटर से न चलाएँ, अलग स्विच दें।
How many battens do I need for a shop or garage?
A 4 ft LED batten gives roughly the light of an old 40 W tube or more. A small shop of about 10 × 15 ft wanting bright light (around 300–500 lux) typically needs four to six battens; check the lumens of the batten you choose.
हिंदी 10×15 फ़ीट की छोटी दुकान में तेज़ रोशनी के लिए आम तौर पर 4–6 LED बैटन लगती हैं।
Are smart (Wi-Fi) bulbs worth it?
They let you dim, change colour and schedule lights from a phone or voice assistant. They work best with a steady Wi-Fi signal and the wall switch left on. For most rooms a good ordinary LED and a well-placed switch are simpler.
हिंदी स्मार्ट बल्ब फ़ोन से डिम, रंग और टाइमर की सुविधा देता है; पर वाई-फ़ाई और स्विच ऑन रहना ज़रूरी है।
What does GLS mean on a bulb?
GLS (general lighting service) is the classic pear-shaped household bulb. LED versions keep the same shape and caps (B22 or E27), so they fit any ordinary holder.
हिंदी GLS यानी आम घरेलू बल्ब का आकार; LED बल्ब भी उसी आकार और कैप में आते हैं।
Why does my new LED bulb look less bright than the old CFL?
Check the lumens: a 9 W LED is roughly equal to a 15 W CFL, not a 20–23 W CFL. Also check colour temperature — a warm-white LED can look softer than a cool-white CFL with the same lumens.
हिंदी ल्यूमेन देखें: 9 W LED लगभग 15 W CFL के बराबर है। वॉर्म व्हाइट भी कम तेज़ दिख सकती है।
Is it safe to touch an LED bulb while it's on?
The glass or plastic of an LED bulb gets warm, not scalding like old filament bulbs, but always switch off before changing a bulb and never touch the metal cap or holder contacts while the switch is on.
हिंदी LED बल्ब हल्का गर्म होता है; पर बल्ब बदलते समय स्विच बंद करें और होल्डर के धातु वाले हिस्से न छुएँ।
General guidance — follow IS 732 and local rules, and use a licensed electrician.
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