Base type is one of the few lamp specifications that cannot be fixed by the customer, by a bulb swap, or by an adapter that looks acceptable. It is decided on the factory floor and it stays decided for the life of the product.
The four bases that cover almost everything
In the North American residential and hospitality market, four base types account for nearly all floor and table lamps:
| Base | Thread | Typical use | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| E26 medium | 26 mm | Most floor and table lamps | The default; 120V, up to 100W+ per socket rating |
| E12 candelabra | 12 mm | Small accent and chandelier lamps | Low wattage; never assume a customer has spares |
| GU24 | Twist-lock | Title 20 compliant fixtures | Not interchangeable with screw bases |
| Integrated LED | None | Sealed fixtures | Bulb is not serviceable; the driver is the whole lamp |
Why GU24 keeps appearing in California
The twist-lock base exists to stop a fixture being fitted with a bulb outside its rated wattage. It is common on fixtures sold into California because of the state's efficiency rules, and it is a frequent source of returns when a customer does not realise a screw-base bulb will not fit.
The adapter question
Adapters exist for E12 to E26 and for GU24 to E26. They are useful for a customer solving a problem in their own home. They should never be part of a supplier's answer to a specification question, because an adapter is a mechanical joint that can loosen in a socket that gets warm.
Wattage rating is not the same as the bulb you ship
A socket rated to 150W does not mean the lamp should ship with a 150W bulb. Heat, shade clearance, and the temperature rating of the wiring and the switch all matter. Most lamps in this category are comfortable at 60 to 100W equivalent LED, and a 100W halogen in a small drum shade is a warranty claim waiting to happen.
What to write on the purchase order
Name the base, the maximum wattage per socket, and whether a bulb is included. If a bulb is included, specify colour temperature, lumen output and whether it is dimmable. Lamps that ship without bulbs get fewer returns than lamps that ship with a bulb the customer did not expect.
Bulbs included at the factory are usually the cheapest component in the carton and the first thing a customer notices.
Sourcing lamps for your business?
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