Introduction to Bi-pin Lamp Base
– A bi-pin or bipin is a type of lamp fitting included in the IEC standard IEC 60061.
– Bi-pin bases are commonly used on small incandescent light bulbs and some types of fluorescent lights.
– They are often found on halogen lamps and are used for starters on certain fluorescent lights.
– Some bi-pin sockets have pins placed closer together to prevent the use of high-power bulbs that may generate excessive heat.
– The bi-pin base was invented by Reginald Fessenden for the 1893 Worlds Fair in Chicago.
Types of Bi-pin Lamp Bases
– GU4: Used for small halogen quartz capsules of 5/10/20 watt and 6/12 volt AC and DC.
– GY4: Used for MR11 and MR8 bulbs.
– GZ4: Used for MR11 and MR8 bulbs.
– G5.3: Used for T4 and T5 fluorescent tubes.
– GU5.3: Used for MR16 and other small halogens of 20/35/50 watt and 12/24 volt.
More Types of Bi-pin Lamp Bases
– GY5.3: Used for round pin bulbs, such as MR16 halogens of 20/35/50 watt and 12/24 volt.
– G6.35: Used for halogen bulbs of various wattage and voltage, commonly used for task lighting and landscape lighting.
– GY6.35: Used for halogen bulbs of various wattage and voltage.
– GZ6.35: Used for projector bulbs.
– G9.5: Commonly used for theatre lighting, several variants available.
Additional Types of Bi-pin Lamp Bases
– GU10: Twist-lock base used for MR16 halogen lighting, compact fluorescents, and LED lamps.
– GZ10: Twist-lock base used for MR16 halogen lighting with a dichroic reflector.
– G12: Used in theatre and single-end metal halide lamps.
– G13: Commonly used for T8, T10, and T12 fluorescent tubes.
– GX16d: Mogul End Prong base, commonly used for theatre PAR lamps.
Other Bi-pin Lamp Base Information
– The suffix after the G indicates the pin spread, with G indicating the use of glass for the original bulbs.
– Some bi-pin bases provide physical support by the luminaire, either through twisting or using a spring or clip.
– A lowercase q at the end of the designation indicates a quad-pin base used with compact fluorescent tubes.
– There are also double-ended halogen and fluorescent tubes with one pin at each end, and high-output fluorescents with recessed or shrouded contacts.
– Bi-pin lamp bases are used in various lighting applications, including halogen, fluorescent, and LED lighting systems. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bi-pin_lamp_base
A bipin or bi-pin (sometimes referred to as two-pin, bipin cap or bipin socket) is a type of lamp fitting. They are included in the IEC standard "IEC 60061 Lamp caps and holders together with gauges for the control of interchangeability and safety". They are used on many small incandescent light bulbs (especially halogen lamps), and for starters on some types of fluorescent lights.
Some sockets have pins placed closer together, preventing the low-power bulbs they use from being replaced by bulbs that are too high power, which may generate excessive heat and possibly cause a fire. These are sometimes called "mini-bipin". Where the terminals of the lamp are bent back onto the sides of the base of the bulb, this forms a wedge base, often used in small bulbs for automotive lighting.
The bi-pin base was invented by Reginald Fessenden for the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago.[citation needed] After Westinghouse won the contract to wire and illuminate the first electrified fair with AC instead of arch-rival Thomas Edison's DC, Edison and his General Electric company refused to allow his patented Edison screw-base bulbs to be used. Westinghouse overcame this by developing the bi-pin base for use at the fair. An incandescent electric lamp with a bi-pin base was patented by the Westinghouse (G. Westinghouse, Jr.) in 1895.[non-primary source needed]
