E27, E14, GU10, GU5.3,… all types of lamp fittings. When you're out to buy a new bulb and you're not really sure which fitting it is you need, you might as well head straight back home. That's why we're going to try to explain some of the differences between fittings and help you find you're way around the available choices.
Note: we only discuss the more common light sockets. There's a whole lot of other, less familiar, versions, which are also available at our webshop. Here, you can make use of the filter 'lamp socket' to find all compatible lamps.
E27 Socket
The E-fitting derives its name from its inventor, Thomas Edison. He developed this screw thread fitting in 1909. That's why this screw thread is also known as the Edison screw.
In most houses you'll still find light fixtures with a standard E27 fitting. Their thread has a diameter of 27 millimeter and they require 230 Volt alternating current.
E14 Socket
Nowadays we often see smaller versions of the Edison fitting. One of the more common, is the E14, which is frequently used in light fixtures, because of its more elegant looks.
GU10 Socket
GU10 fittings have a bayonet mount with two pins at the bottom of the lamp. These pins are locked in clockwise into specials slots. Because this was the way bayonets were mounted on guns back in the day, they chose to name this type of socket after it. This is a fitting often used for halogen or LED lamps.
The numbers in the name, stand for the distance between the pins. So, with a GU10, there's a distance of 10mm between them.
Please keep in mind that there's a difference between GU10 en GZ10! A GZ10 lamp only fits in a GZ10 fitting, while a GU10, with its rounder base, fits in both. The "U" is an abbreviation for "Universal".
GU5.3 Socket
This kind of fittings has two metal pins which conduct electricity. That's why they are also called bi-pin connectors. The distance between the pins is indicated by the digits after the GU. In this case, there's 5.3 mm distance between the two pins.
Just the same as with the GU10, there's also a GZ5.3 version of the GU5.3. The difference is just the same, a rounded (GU) or a rectangular base (GZ). So, a GZ5.3 won't fit in a GU5.3 fitting, but it will work vice versa.
GU4 Socket
The GU4 socket is a smaller version of the GU5.3. Both have a similar bi-pin connector and require 12V low voltage. The diameter of the GU4's head however is only 35mm, where the GU5.3's measures 50mm. Logically, the distance between the GU4's pins is 4mm.
G4 Capsule
Diodes with a G4 fitting have the same connector as the other G4 lamps. Also the distance between the pins remains the same - 4 millimeter.
G53 Socket
A lot of large halogen spots use a G53 fitting. More recently an LED version of the G53 spots became available. As you might have guessed already, the 53 stands for 53mm between the pins.
G9 Socket
A G9 socket is mainly used for 230V halogen lights and LED lamps. Of course, there's a distance of 9mm between the pins. But, different from the G4 capsule, the G9's pins form a loop.
G5 / G13 / 2GX13 Socket
These sockets are used for fluorescent tubes. A G5 fitting for example, is made for T5 tubes, which have 5mm distance between their pins. G13 sockets have a distance of 25mm and are used to connect T8 fluorescent tubes. 2GX13 fittings are used for circular fluorescent tubes with four contact point (two on the inside and two on the outside).
R7s Socket
The R7S socket was developed for linear lamps (halogen or LED). The contact points can be found on both ends of the lamp.
All lamps in our webshop
Was the fitting you are looking for not in this article? Don't worry, you will undoubtedly find it in our web shop.
Lamp fittings have no more secrets for you! But maybe you have other questions? Like what to look out for when choosing bathroom lighting? Or what exactly is the bidiameter and recessed depth of recessed spotlights? No worries, Peeq will help you on your way.