List of automotive light bulb types

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,[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

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.

Group 1

Group 1 (Without general restrictions)
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%
Available with P45t base to upgrade old headlamps designed for R2 bulb

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 HB4 (9006) bulb 12 V, 51 W
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 S2 bulb
S3 2 6 V & 12 V: 15 W P26s For mopeds

Group 2

Group 2 (Only for use in signalling lamps, cornering lamps, reversing lamps and rear registration plate lamps)
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

Group 3 (For replacement purposes only)
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

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.

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

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.

German vehicle bulbs per 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

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.[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) 

Replaceable Light Sources for Vehicle Headlamps
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


Others
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

Others
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

References

  1. ^ 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. ^ 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. ^ ECE Regulation 99 Amendment 3
  4. ^ Types of bulbs and socles
  5. ^ 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" (PDF). U.S. Government Printing Office.
  7. ^ NHTSA Docket 1998-3397: Replaceable Light Source Information
  8. ^ Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108 Archived 2013-06-21 at the Wayback Machine
  9. ^ "PHILIPS PC74 | Bulb 14 VOLTS $0.89". www.interlight.biz. Retrieved 2016-07-30.
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