Skip to content
Surf Wiki
Save to docs
general/auto-parts

From Surf Wiki (app.surf) — the open knowledge base

List of automotive light bulb types

Bulb Types and Descriptions


Bulb Types and Descriptions

Light bulbs for automobiles are made in several standardized series. Bulbs used for headlamps, turn signals and brake lamps may be required to comply with international and national regulations governing the types of lamps used. Other automotive lighting applications such as auxiliary lamps or interior lighting may not be regulated, but common types are used by many automotive manufacturers.

International

The World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (ECE Regulations) develops and maintains international-consensus UN Regulations on light sources acceptable for use in lamps on vehicles and trailers type-approved for use in countries that recognise the UN Regulations. These include Regulation 37, which contains specifications for filament lamps, and Regulation 99 and its addenda which covers light sources for high-intensity discharge headlamps. Some UN-approved bulb types are also permitted by some other regulations, such as those of the United States or of Japan, though Japan has begun supplanting the former Japanese national regulations with the international UN regulations.

Filament lamps

UN Regulation 37 covers motor vehicle filament lamps. These are categorized in three groups: those without general restriction that can be used in any application, those acceptable only for signalling lights (not for road illumination lamps), and those no longer allowable as light sources for new type approvals but still permitted for production as replacement parts.

{{anchor|Group 1}} Group 1

CategoryFilamentsNominal power
(major/minor filament
where applicable)Cap (base)
per IEC 60061Other approvalsRemarksImageH1H3H4H7H8H8BH9H9BH10H11H11BH12H13H13AH15H16H16BH21WH27W/1H27W/2HB3HB3AHB4HB4AHIR1HIR2HP24WHPY24WHS1HS2HS5HS5AHS6PX24WPSX24WPSX26WS1S2S3
16 V & 12 V: 55 W
24 V: 70 WP14.5sUSA, Japan12V: ECE nominal luminous flux: 1,550 lm ±15%[[File:H1-Lampe-12V-55W 20050302 1950 2247.jpg100px]]
16 V & 12 V: 55 W
24 V: 70 WPK22sUSA, Japan12V: ECE nominal luminous flux: 1,450 lm ±15%[[File:Osram H3 12V 55W.jpg100px]]
26 V & 12 V: 60 / 55 W
24 V: 75 / 70 WP43tJapanSimilar US bulb: HB2 (9003)
[[File:H4 Philips Premium used.JPG100px]]
112 V: 55 W
24 V: 70 WPX26dUSA, Japan12V: ECE nominal luminous flux: 1,500 lm ±10%[[File:Philips H7 12V 55W.jpg100px]]
112 V: 35 WPGJ19-1USAECE nominal luminous flux: 800 lm ±15%[[File:Philips H8 12V 35W.jpg100px]]
112 V: 35 WPGJY19-1USA
112 V: 65 WPGJ19-5USA
112 V: 65 WPGJY19-5USA
112 V: 42 WPY20dUSAANSI № 9145
ECE nominal luminous flux: 850 lm ±15%
112 V: 55 W
24 V: 70 WPGJ19-2USAECE nominal luminous flux: 1,350 lm ±10%
112 V: 55 W
24 V: 70 WPGJY19-2USA
112 V: 53 WPZ20dUSAANSI № 9055
ECE nominal luminous flux: 1,050 lm ±15%
212 V: 60 / 55 WP26.4tUSAANSI № 9008
ECE nominal luminous flux: 1,700 / 1,100 lm ±15%
212 V: 60 / 55 WPJ26.4tUSA
212 V: 55 / 15 WPGJ23t-1USAECE nominal luminous flux: 26/1350 ±10% Low-wattage filament for DRL function[[File:Osram H15 12V-15-55W lamp.jpg100px]]
112 V: 19 WPGJ19-3
112 V: 19 WPGJY19-3
112 V & 24 V: 21 WBAY9s
112 V: 27WPG13USAANSI № 880
112 V: 27 WPGJ13USAANSI № 881
112 V: 60 WP20d 90°USA, JapanANSI № 9005
ECE nominal luminous flux: 1700 lm ±15%
112 V: 60 WP20d 180°USAANSI № 9005XS
112 V: 51 WP22d 90°USA, JapanECE nominal luminous flux:1000 ± 15% ANSI № 9006[[File:HB4 (9006) bulb 12 V, 51 W.JPG150pxHB4 (9006) bulb 12 V, 51 W]]
112 V: 51 WP22d 180°USAANSI № 9006XS
112 V: 60 WPX20dUSA, JapanANSI № 9011
112 V: 55 WPX22dUSA, JapanANSI № 9012
112 V: 24 WExclusively produced by Valeo
112 V: 24 WAmber, Exclusively produced by Valeo
26 V & 12 V: 35 / 35 WPX43tFor motorcycles
16 V & 12 V: 15 WPX13.5sFor motorcycles
212 V: 35 / 30 WP23tFor motorcycles
212 V: 45 / 40 WPX23tFor motorcycles
212 V: 40 / 35 WPX26.4tFor motorcycles
112 V: 24 WPGU20-7
112 V: 24 WPG20-7ANSI № 2504
112 V: 26 WPG18.5d-3ANSI № 6851
26 V & 12 V: 45 / 40 WBA20dFor car headlights
26 V & 12 V: 35 / 35 WBA20dFor motorcycles[[File:S2 12V 35x35W BA20d Automotive Light Bulb.jpg100pxS2 bulb]]
26 V & 12 V: 15 WP26sFor mopeds

{{anchor|Group 2}} Group 2

[[File:W16W lamp broken.JPG100px]]

|- !WY16W |W2.1×9.5d |1 |12 V: 16 W

Amber, ANSI № 921NA
!W21W
W3×16d
1
12 V: 21 W
T20 size
ANSI № 7440
[[File:W21W lamp.jpg
-
!WY21W
WX3×16d
1
12 V: 21 W
Amber
ANSI № 7440NA
[[File:WY21W lamp.jpg
-
!WP21W
WY2.5×16d
1
12 V: 21 W

| | |- !WPY21W |WZ2.5×16d |1 |12 V: 21 W |Amber | |- !W21/5W |W3×16q |2 |12 V: 21 / 5 W |T20 size ANSI № 7443 |[[File:W3x16q.jpg|100px]] |- !WR21/5W |WY3×16q |2 |12 V: 21 / 5 W |Red | |}

{{anchor|Group 3}} Group 3

CategoryCap (Base)width="20"FilamentsNominal powerCommentsclass="unsortable"ImageC21WH2H14P19WPC16WPCR16WPCY16WPR19WPY19WPSR19WPSR24WPR24WR2S1
SV8.5112 V: 21 WOld designation: C15,
for reversing lamp only
X511112 V / 55 WECE nominal luminous flux: 1800lm ±15% Deleted from Reg 37[[File:H2 automotive lamp.jpg100px]]
212 V: 60 / 55 WP38tJapan
ECE nominal luminous flux: 1,750 / 1,150 lm ±15%
PGU20-1112 V: 19 W
PU20d-1112 V: 16 W
PU20d-7112 V: 16 WRed
PU20d-2112 V: 16 WAmber
PGU20-5112 V: 19 WRed
PGU20-2112 V: 19 WAmber
PG20-5112 V: 19 WRed
PG20-6112 V: 24 WRed
PGU20-6112 V: 24 WRed
P45t26 V & 12 V: 45 / 40 WStandard and higher-wattage versions available with halogen burner
BA20d26 V & 12 V: 25 / 25 Wfor motorcycles

Gas discharge lamps

UN Regulation 99 covers gas discharge light sources for use in vehicle headlamps. All light sources acceptable under Regulation 99 are also acceptable under US regulations.

CategoryCap (Base)Nominal powerRemarksclass="unsortable"ImageD1RD1SD2RD2SD3RD3SD4RD4SD5SD6SD7SD8S
PK32d-385 V / 35 WIntegral ignitor
For reflector systems
PK32d-285 V / 35 WIntegral ignitor
For projector systems
P32d-385 V / 35 WFor reflector systems
P32d-285 V / 35 WFor projector systems[[File:Xenonlamp.jpg100px]]
PK32d-642 V / 35 WMercury-free
Integral ignitor
For reflector systems
PK32d-542 V / 35 WMercury-free
Integral ignitor
For projector systems
P32d-642 V / 35 WMercury-free
For reflector systems
P32d-542 V / 35 WMercury-free
For projector systems
PK32d-[7]12 V: 25 WBallast output voltage
P32d-142 V: 25 W
PK32d-142 V: 25 W
PK32d-142 V: 25 W

Germany

There is a German national regulation for vehicle bulbs, now superseded by international ECE regulations. Bulbs according to the old German regulation are still manufactured. The German regulation is contained in §22a, Subsection 1, No. 18 of the Straßenverkehrs-Zulassungs-Ordnung (StVZO, Road Traffic Approval Regulation). Per the Fahrzeugteileverordnung (FzTV, Vehicle Parts Regulation), such light bulbs must bear an approval mark consisting of a sine wave and the letter 'K'. The technical requirements themselves are established by standards produced by DIN.

CategoryNominal powerwidth="20"FilamentsCap (Base)Commentsclass="unsortable"ImageForm K (DIN 72601, Part 4)Form K (DIN 72601, Part 4)Form K (DIN 72601, Part 6)Form K (DIN 72601, Part 6)Form K (DIN 72601, Part 6)Form R (DIN 72601, Part 6)Form R (DIN 72601, Part 6)Form R (DIN 72601, Part 6)Form S (DIN 72601, Part 7)Form S (DIN 72601, Part 7)Form S (DIN 72601, Part 7)
6 V, 10 W1SV8.5-811 × 41 mm
12 V, 10 W1SV8.5-811 × 41 mm
6 V, 18 W1SV8.5-815 × 41 mm
12 V, 18 W1SV8.5-815 × 41 mm
24 V, 18 W1SV8.5-815 × 41 mm
6 V, 18 W1BA15s
12 V, 18 W1BA15s
24 V, 18 W1BA15s
6 V, 18 / 5 W2BAY15d
12 V, 18 / 5 W2BAY15d
24 V, 18 / 5 W2BAY15d

United States and Canada

In the United States, entry 49 CFR 564 in the Code of Federal Regulations requires manufacturers of headlight bulbs, officially known as "replaceable light sources", to furnish the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) with product specifications at least 60 days prior to first use. The specifications supplied by the manufacturer, on approval by NHTSA, are entered in Federal docket NHTSA-1998-3397. From then on, any light source made and certified by any manufacturer as conforming to the specifications is legal for use in headlamps certified as conforming to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108. Light sources for vehicle lamps other than headlamps are not Federally regulated.

In Canada, vehicle headlamps may use light sources (bulbs) conforming to either the US or the international ECE regulations.

Bulb TypeTrade NumberCap (Base)width="20"FilamentsNominal power @ 12.8v
(High/Low beam
where applicable)Commentsclass="unsortable"ImageHB1HB2HB3HB3AHB4HB4AHB5H13
9004P29t265 / 45 W
9003P43t-38260 / 55 W
H4 with stricter geometric tolerances
9005P20d (90°)165 W
9005XSP20d (straight)165 WHB3 w/180° straight base
9006P22d (90°)155 W
9006XSP22d (180° straight)155 WHB4 w/180° straight base
9007PX29t265 / 55 W
9008P26t265 / 55 W
CategoryCap (Base)width="20"FilamentsNominal powerCommentsclass="unsortable"ImagePC194PC74
T10 (if removable)114 V / 3.78W
T1-3/4 (if removable)114 V / 1.4W

Other countries

CategoryCap (Base)width="20"FilamentsElectrical CharacteristicsCommentsclass="unsortable"ImageH3C
1

References

References

  1. [http://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/trans/main/wp29/wp29regs/R037r7e.pdf ECE Regulation No. 37: Uniform Provisions Concerning the Approval of Filament Lamps for Use in Approved Lamp Units on Power-Driven Vehicles and of their Trailers, Revision 7]
  2. [http://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/trans/main/wp29/wp29regs/r099r2e.pdf ECE Regulation No. 99: Uniform Provisions Concerning the Approval of Light Sources for Use in Approved Gas-Discharge Lamp Units of Power-Driven Vehicles]
  3. [http://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/trans/main/wp29/wp29regs/R099r2am3e.pdf ECE Regulation 99 Amendment 3]
  4. [https://lampsap.com/socles/ Types of bulbs and socles]
  5. [https://unece.org/DAM/trans/main/wp29/wp29resolutions/ECE-TRANS-WP29-1127e.pdf Consolidated Resolution on the common specification of light source categories (R.E.5), 1 March 2018, p. 14]
  6. "49 CFR 564 - Replaceable Light Source Information". U.S. Government Printing Office.
  7. [http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketBrowser;dct=N%252BFR%252BPR%252BO%252BPS;rpp=500;so=ASC;sb=docId;po=0;D=NHTSA-1998-3397 NHTSA Docket 1998-3397: Replaceable Light Source Information]
  8. [http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/acts-regulations/regulations-crc-c1038-sch-iv-108.htm Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108] {{webarchive. link. (2013-06-21)
  9. "PHILIPS PC74 {{!}} Bulb 14 VOLTS $0.89".
Info: Wikipedia Source

This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page.

Want to explore this topic further?

Ask Mako anything about List of automotive light bulb types — get instant answers, deeper analysis, and related topics.

Research with Mako

Free with your Surf account

Content sourced from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This content may have been generated or modified by AI. CloudSurf Software LLC is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of AI-generated content. Always verify important information from primary sources.

Report