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
editThe 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,[1] which contains specifications for filament lamps, and Regulation 99 and its addenda[2][3] which covers light sources for high-intensity discharge headlamps. Some UN-approved bulb types[4] 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
editUN 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.
Group 1
edit| Category | Filaments | Nominal power (major/minor filament where applicable) |
Cap (base) per IEC 60061 |
Other approvals | Remarks | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| H1 | 1 | 6 V & 12 V: 55 W 24 V: 70 W |
P14.5s | USA, Japan | 12V: ECE nominal luminous flux: 1,550 lm ±15% | 
|
| H3 | 1 | 6 V & 12 V: 55 W 24 V: 70 W |
PK22s | USA, Japan | 12V: ECE nominal luminous flux: 1,450 lm ±15% | 
|
| H4 | 2 | 6 V & 12 V: 60 / 55 W 24 V: 75 / 70 W |
P43t | Japan | Similar US bulb: HB2 (9003) 12V: ECE nominal luminous flux: 1,650 / 1,000 lm ±15% |
|
| H7 | 1 | 12 V: 55 W 24 V: 70 W |
PX26d | USA, Japan | 12V: ECE nominal luminous flux: 1,500 lm ±10% | 
|
| H8 | 1 | 12 V: 35 W | PGJ19-1 | USA | ECE nominal luminous flux: 800 lm ±15% | 
|
| H8B | 1 | 12 V: 35 W | PGJY19-1 | USA | ||
| H9 | 1 | 12 V: 65 W | PGJ19-5 | USA | ||
| H9B | 1 | 12 V: 65 W | PGJY19-5 | USA | ||
| H10 | 1 | 12 V: 42 W | PY20d | USA | ANSI № 9145 ECE nominal luminous flux: 850 lm ±15% |
|
| H11 | 1 | 12 V: 55 W 24 V: 70 W |
PGJ19-2 | USA | ECE nominal luminous flux: 1,350 lm ±10% | |
| H11B | 1 | 12 V: 55 W 24 V: 70 W |
PGJY19-2 | USA | ||
| H12 | 1 | 12 V: 53 W | PZ20d | USA | ANSI № 9055 ECE nominal luminous flux: 1,050 lm ±15% |
|
| H13 | 2 | 12 V: 60 / 55 W | P26.4t | USA | ANSI № 9008 ECE nominal luminous flux: 1,700 / 1,100 lm ±15% |
|
| H13A | 2 | 12 V: 60 / 55 W | PJ26.4t | USA | ||
| H15 | 2 | 12 V: 55 / 15 W
24 V: 60 / 20 W |
PGJ23t-1 | USA | ECE nominal luminous flux: 26/1350 ±10% Low-wattage filament for DRL function | 
|
| H16 | 1 | 12 V: 19 W | PGJ19-3 | |||
| H16B | 1 | 12 V: 19 W | PGJY19-3 | |||
| H21W | 1 | 12 V & 24 V: 21 W | BAY9s | |||
| H27W/1 | 1 | 12 V: 27W | PG13 | USA | ANSI № 880 | |
| H27W/2 | 1 | 12 V: 27 W | PGJ13 | USA | ANSI № 881 | |
| HB3 | 1 | 12 V: 60 W | P20d 90° | USA, Japan | ANSI № 9005 ECE nominal luminous flux: 1700 lm ±15% |
|
| HB3A | 1 | 12 V: 60 W | P20d 180° | USA | ANSI № 9005XS | |
| HB4 | 1 | 12 V: 51 W | P22d 90° | USA, Japan | ECE nominal luminous flux:1000 ± 15% ANSI № 9006 | _bulb_12_V,_51_W.JPG)
|
| HB4A | 1 | 12 V: 51 W | P22d 180° | USA | ANSI № 9006XS | |
| HIR1 | 1 | 12 V: 60 W | PX20d | USA, Japan | ANSI № 9011 | |
| HIR2 | 1 | 12 V: 55 W | PX22d | USA, Japan | ANSI № 9012 | |
| HP24W | 1 | 12 V: 24 W | Exclusively produced by Valeo | |||
| HPY24W | 1 | 12 V: 24 W | Amber, Exclusively produced by Valeo | |||
| HS1 | 2 | 6 V & 12 V: 35 / 35 W | PX43t | For motorcycles | ||
| HS2 | 1 | 6 V & 12 V: 15 W | PX13.5s | For motorcycles | ||
| HS5 | 2 | 12 V: 35 / 30 W | P23t | For motorcycles | ||
| HS5A | 2 | 12 V: 45 / 40 W | PX23t | For motorcycles | ||
| HS6 | 2 | 12 V: 40 / 35 W | PX26.4t | For motorcycles | ||
| PX24W | 1 | 12 V: 24 W | PGU20-7 | |||
| PSX24W | 1 | 12 V: 24 W | PG20-7 | ANSI № 2504 | ||
| PSX26W | 1 | 12 V: 26 W | PG18.5d-3 | ANSI № 6851 | ||
| S1 | 2 | 6 V & 12 V: 45 / 40 W | BA20d | For car headlights | ||
| S2 | 2 | 6 V & 12 V: 35 / 35 W | BA20d | For motorcycles | 
| |
| S3 | 2 | 6 V & 12 V: 15 W | P26s | For mopeds |
Group 2
edit| Category | Cap (Base) | Filaments | Nominal Power (Major/Minor where applicable) |
Comments | Image | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C5W | SV8.5 | 1 | 6 V, 12 V, 24 V: 5 W[5] | ECE nominal luminous flux: 45 lm ± 20%; Old designation: C11, common name is "festoon" base | 
| |
| H6W | BAX9s | 1 | 12 V: 6 W | 
| ||
| HY6W | BAZ9s | 1 | 12 V: 6 W | Amber | ||
| H10W/1 | BAU9s | 1 | 12 V: 10 W | |||
| HY10W | BAUZ9s | 1 | 12 V: 10 W | Amber | ||
| H21W | BAY9s | 1 | 12 V & 24 V: 21 W | |||
| HY21W | BAW9s | 1 | 12 V & 24 V: 21 W | Amber | ||
| P13W | PG18.5d-1 | 1 | 12 V: 13 W | ANSI № 828| | ||
| PW13W | WP3.3×14.5-7 | 1 | 12 V: 13 W | |||
| PC16W | PU20d-1 | 1 | 12 V: 16 W | ANSI № 7010 | ||
| PCR16W | PU20d-7 | 1 | 12 V: 16 W | Red | ||
| PW16W | WP3.3×14.5-8 | 1 | 12 V: 16 W | ANSI № 7445 | ||
| PWR16W | WP3.3×14.5-10 | 1 | 12 V: 16 W | Red | ||
| PWY16W | WP3.3×14.5-9 | 1 | 12 V: 16 W | Amber, ANSI № 7448 | ||
| PS19W | PG20-1 | 1 | 12 V: 19 W | ANSI № 5201 | ||
| PSY19W | PG20-2 | 1 | 12 V: 19 W | Amber, ANSI № 2502 | ||
| PW19W | WP3.3×14.5-1 | 1 | 12 V: 19 W | ANSI № 7446 | ||
| PWR19W | WP3.3×14.5-5 | 1 | 12 V: 19 W | Red | ||
| PWY19W | WP3.3×14.5-2 | 1 | 12 V: 19 W | Amber, ANSI № 7449 | ||
| P21W | BA15s | 1 | 6 V, 12 V, 24 V: 21 W | ECE nominal luminous flux: 460lm ± 15% Old designation: P25-1 | 
| |
| PR21W | BAW15s | 1 | 12 V & 24 V: 21 W | Red | ||
| PY21W | BAU15s | 1 | 12 V & 24 V: 21 W | Amber ECE nominal luminous flux: 280 lm ±20% | ||
| P21/4W | BAZ15d | 2 | 12 V & 24 V: 21 / 4 W | |||
| PR21/4W | BAU15d | 2 | 12 V & 24 V: 21 / 4 W | Red | ||
| P21/5W | BAY15d | 2 | 6 V, 12 V, 24 V: 21 / 5 W | ECE nominal luminous flux: 440/45 lm ±15%/20%. Old designation: P25-2 | 
| |
| PR21/5W | BAW15d | 2 | 12 V & 24 V: 21 / 5 W | Red | ||
| P24W | PGU20-3 | 1 | 12 V: 24 W | |||
| PY24W | PGU20-4 | 1 | 12 V: 24 W | ANSI № 5200 | ||
| PH24WY | 1 | 12 V: 24 W | Amber | 
| ||
| PS24W | PG20-3 | 1 | 12 V: 24 W | ANSI № 5202 | ||
| PSX24W | PG20-4? | 1 | 12 V: 24 W | ANSI № 2504 Similar to PS24W, but with slightly different luminous flux tolerance |
||
| PSY24W | PG20-4 | 1 | 12 V: 24 W | Amber, ANSI № 2503 | 
| |
| PW24W | WP3.3×14.5-3 | 1 | 12 V: 24 W | ANSI № 7447 | ||
| PWR24W | WP3.3×14.5-6 | 1 | 12 V: 24 W | Red | ||
| PWY24W | WP3.3×14.5-4 | 1 | 12 V: 24 W | Amber, ANSI № 7450 | ||
| P27W | W2.5×16d | 1 | 12 V: 27 W | ANSI № 3156 | ||
| P27/7W | W2.5×16q | 2 | 12 V: 27 / 7 W | ANSI № 3157 | 
| |
| PR27/7W | WU2.5x16 | 2 | 12 V: 27 / 7 W | Red | ||
| PY27/7W | WX2.5x16q | 2 | 12 V: 27 / 7 W | Amber ANSI № 3757A |
| |
| R5W | BA15s | 1 | 6 V, 12 V, 24 V: 5 W | Old designation: R19/5 | 
| |
| RR5W | BAW15s | 1 | 12 V & 24 V: 5 W | Red | ||
| R10W | BA15s | 1 | 6 V, 12 V, 24 V: 10 W | Old designation: R19/10 | 
| |
| RR10W | BAW15s | 1 | 12 V & 24 V: 10 W | Red | ||
| RY10W | BAU15s | 1 | 6 V, 12 V, 24 V: 10 W | Amber | ||
| T1.4W | P11.5d | 1 | 12 V: 1.4W | |||
| T4W | BA9s | 1 | 6 V, 12 V, 24 V: 4W | Old designation: T8/4 | 
| |
| W2.3W | W2×4.6d | 1 | 12 V: 2.3 W | T5 size | ||
| WY2.3W | W2×4.6d | 1 | 12 V: 2.3 W | Amber | ||
| W3W | W2.1×9.5d | 1 | 6 V, 12 V, 24 V: 3 W | T10 size
Old designation: W10/3 |
||
| W5W | W2.1×9.5d | 1 | 6 V, 12 V, 24 V: 5 W | ECE nominal luminous flux: 50 lm ±20% T10 size
Old designation: W10/5 ANSI № 168 |
| |
| WR5W | W2.1×9.5d | 1 | 12 V & 24 V: 5 W | Red | ||
| WY5W | W2.1×9.5d | 1 | 6 V, 12 V, 24 V: 5 W | Amber ECE nominal luminous flux: 30 lm ±20% | ||
| W10W | W2.1×9.5d | 1 | 6 V & 12 V: 10 W | T13 size | ||
| WY10W | W2.1×9.5d | 1 | 6 V & 12 V: 10 W | |||
| W15/5W | WZ3×16q | 2 | 12 V: 15 / 5 W | for motorcycles | ||
| W16W | W2.1×9.5d | 1 | 12 V: 16 W | T15 size
ANSI № 921 |
| |
| 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 |
| |
| WY21W | WX3×16d | 1 | 12 V: 21 W | Amber ANSI № 7440NA |
| |
| 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 |
| |
| WR21/5W | WY3×16q | 2 | 12 V: 21 / 5 W | Red |
Group 3
edit| Category | Cap (Base) | Filaments | Nominal power | Comments | Image | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C21W | SV8.5 | 1 | 12 V: 21 W | Old designation: C15, for reversing lamp only |
||
| H2 | X511 | 1 | 12 V / 55 W | ECE nominal luminous flux: 1800lm ±15% Deleted from Reg 37 | 
| |
| H14 | 2 | 12 V: 60 / 55 W | P38t | Japan ECE nominal luminous flux: 1,750 / 1,150 lm ±15% |
||
| P19W | PGU20-1 | 1 | 12 V: 19 W | |||
| PC16W | PU20d-1 | 1 | 12 V: 16 W | |||
| PCR16W | PU20d-7 | 1 | 12 V: 16 W | Red | ||
| PCY16W | PU20d-2 | 1 | 12 V: 16 W | Amber | ||
| PR19W | PGU20-5 | 1 | 12 V: 19 W | Red | ||
| PY19W | PGU20-2 | 1 | 12 V: 19 W | Amber | ||
| PSR19W | PG20-5 | 1 | 12 V: 19 W | Red | ||
| PSR24W | PG20-6 | 1 | 12 V: 24 W | Red | ||
| PR24W | PGU20-6 | 1 | 12 V: 24 W | Red | ||
| R2 | P45t | 2 | 6 V & 12 V: 45 / 40 W
24 V: 55 / 50 W |
Standard and higher-wattage versions available with halogen burner | ||
| S1 | BA20d | 2 | 6 V & 12 V: 25 / 25 W | for motorcycles |
Gas discharge lamps
editUN 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.
| Category | Cap (Base) | Nominal power | Remarks | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D1R | PK32d-3 | 85 V / 35 W | Integral ignitor For reflector systems |
|
| D1S | PK32d-2 | 85 V / 35 W | Integral ignitor For projector systems |
|
| D2R | P32d-3 | 85 V / 35 W | For reflector systems | |
| D2S | P32d-2 | 85 V / 35 W | For projector systems | 
|
| D3R | PK32d-6 | 42 V / 35 W | Mercury-free Integral ignitor For reflector systems |
|
| D3S | PK32d-5 | 42 V / 35 W | Mercury-free Integral ignitor For projector systems |
|
| D4R | P32d-6 | 42 V / 35 W | Mercury-free For reflector systems |
|
| D4S | P32d-5 | 42 V / 35 W | Mercury-free For projector systems |
|
| D5S | PK32d-[7] | 12 V: 25 W | Ballast output voltage | |
| D6S | P32d-1 | 42 V: 25 W | ||
| D7S | PK32d-1 | 42 V: 25 W | ||
| D8S | PK32d-1 | 42 V: 25 W |
Germany
editThere 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.
| Category | Nominal power | Filaments | Cap (Base) | Comments | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Form K (DIN 72601, Part 4) | 6 V, 10 W | 1 | SV8.5-8 | 11 × 41 mm | |
| Form K (DIN 72601, Part 4) | 12 V, 10 W | 1 | SV8.5-8 | 11 × 41 mm | |
| Form K (DIN 72601, Part 6) | 6 V, 18 W | 1 | SV8.5-8 | 15 × 41 mm | |
| Form K (DIN 72601, Part 6) | 12 V, 18 W | 1 | SV8.5-8 | 15 × 41 mm | |
| Form K (DIN 72601, Part 6) | 24 V, 18 W | 1 | SV8.5-8 | 15 × 41 mm | |
| Form R (DIN 72601, Part 6) | 6 V, 18 W | 1 | BA15s | ||
| Form R (DIN 72601, Part 6) | 12 V, 18 W | 1 | BA15s | ||
| Form R (DIN 72601, Part 6) | 24 V, 18 W | 1 | BA15s | ||
| Form S (DIN 72601, Part 7) | 6 V, 18 / 5 W | 2 | BAY15d | ||
| Form S (DIN 72601, Part 7) | 12 V, 18 / 5 W | 2 | BAY15d | ||
| Form S (DIN 72601, Part 7) | 24 V, 18 / 5 W | 2 | BAY15d |
United States and Canada
editIn 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.[6] The specifications supplied by the manufacturer, on approval by NHTSA, are entered in Federal docket NHTSA-1998-3397.[7] 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.[8]: 108(5)(a)
| Bulb Type | Trade Number | Cap (Base) | Filaments | Nominal power @ 12.8v (High/Low beam where applicable) |
Comments | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HB1 | 9004 | P29t | 2 | 65 / 45 W | ||
| HB2 | 9003 | P43t-38 | 2 | 60 / 55 W | H4 with stricter geometric tolerances |
|
| HB3 | 9005 | P20d (90°) | 1 | 65 W | ||
| HB3A | 9005XS | P20d (straight) | 1 | 65 W | HB3 w/180° straight base | |
| HB4 | 9006 | P22d (90°) | 1 | 55 W | ||
| HB4A | 9006XS | P22d (180° straight) | 1 | 55 W | HB4 w/180° straight base | |
| HB5 | 9007 | PX29t | 2 | 65 / 55 W | ||
| H13 | 9008 | P26t | 2 | 65 / 55 W |
| Category | Cap (Base) | Filaments | Nominal power | Comments | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PC194 | T10 (if removable)
or fixed to holder |
1 | 14 V / 3.78W | Used on circuit boards for e.g. dash lights, gauge cluster backlights. Similar in size to W3W if with a T10 base. |
|
| PC74 | T1-3/4 (if removable)
or fixed to holder[9] |
1 | 14 V / 1.4W | Used on circuit boards for e.g. dash lights, gauge cluster backlights. |
Other countries
edit| Category | Cap (Base) | Filaments | Electrical Characteristics | Comments | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| H3C | 1 | 6 V / 55W, 12 V / 55W, 24 V / 70W |
Japan (USA for unregulated auxiliary lamps only) |
|
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ 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
- ^ ECE Regulation No. 99: Uniform Provisions Concerning the Approval of Light Sources for Use in Approved Gas-Discharge Lamp Units of Power-Driven Vehicles
- ^ ECE Regulation 99 Amendment 3
- ^ Types of bulbs and socles
- ^ Consolidated Resolution on the common specification of light source categories (R.E.5), 1 March 2018, p. 14
- ^ "49 CFR 564 - Replaceable Light Source Information" (PDF). U.S. Government Printing Office.
- ^ NHTSA Docket 1998-3397: Replaceable Light Source Information
- ^ Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108 Archived 2013-06-21 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "PHILIPS PC74 | Bulb 14 VOLTS $0.89". www.interlight.biz. Retrieved 2016-07-30.