Lamp Holders

What Are Lamp Holders

A lamp holder, also known as a light bulb holder or a socket, serves to hold a light bulb or lamp. A light bulb plugs into a batten holder, connected to the wiring and installed on a wall or ceiling. 

It's essential that the lamp holder type is compatible with the bulb type - different kinds of bulbs and fittings require different lamp holders. For pendant lights, the holder should be compatible with both the bulb and a preferred lamp shade. 

The light bulbs come in many varieties, such as longevity, lumens, energy efficiency, and others. These parameters define the suitable type of lamp holder. Since the bulbs also vary in design and size, it is advised to understand what kinds are eligible to use in combination. 

Why Choose a Batten Holder

Batten holders allow a lot of flexibility in lighting design. A batten holder reduces the need to use an electrical cord or a fabric cable to install, by connecting directly in the ceiling or onto a wall. Once installed, they don't require an electrician for a design change lighting design. 

Batten holders can have various fixtures attached directly to them, which is very convenient in small, limited spaces, unsuitable for hanging pendant lighting. These fixtures are easy to update and clean.

They come in several fittings, including bayonet or Edison screw. 

Lamp Holder Types

Halogen Lamp Holders

Halogen lamp holders are designed to use with corresponding lamps. Similar to incandescent bulbs, halogen bulbs rely on heating to produce light. They require higher operating temperatures, but also provide greater brightness and longer service lives.

The lamp holders for these bulbs can accommodate a variety of bulb sizes. Their design ranges from dedicated (G4) lamp holders, to threaded (E11), twist-lock (GU10), and recessed single contact (R7s).

Metal Halide Lamp Holders

High-intensity discharge (HID) lamps are up to five times more efficient than incandescent lamps. They rely on specialised gaseous mixtures to produce intense light that requires the use of durable materials for the lamp holders construction.

Bayonet Lamp Holders

Bayonet lamp holders accommodate bayonet-base lamps, characterised by their' push and twist' action to install. These bulbs are also known as "twist and lock" due to the two pins that secure the bulb into place.

Bayonet lamps are either single or double to match single (BA15S) or double (BA15D) bulb fitting. They are also available in mini versions.

Medium Base Lamp Holders

Also known as Edison-base lamp holders, these models can accommodate a variety of screw-base bulb types. The most popular type is the E27 lamp holder. The letter E pays homage to Thomas Edison, the screw-base bulbs' inventor, while the number indicates the bulb's base width in millimetres. That means an E27 lamp holder can accommodate the same bulbs as E26 since the difference between them is one millimetre.

E27 light fittings are widely used in residential and commercial lighting design. Applications include spotlights, can lights, ceiling lights, and vanity lights.

Mogul Base Lamp Holders

Mogul-base lamp holders are used for corresponding (E39) lamps, with a base larger than E27 and other medium-base lights. However, mogul base can also accommodate smaller bulbs, with the support of adapters. 

These models are commonly made of cast porcelain, suitable for use in street lighting and other high-wattage systems with higher operating temperatures. 

Visit this page to find out more about our mogul-base (E39) lamp holder offerings.

Fluorescent Lamp Holders

Fluorescent lamp holders fit with fluorescent bulbs, from linear, bent, circline to compact bulbs with single-pin or two-pin. Typical utilisation includes large warehouses, retail stores, offices, and schools.

Wedge-Base Lamp Holders

Wedge-base lamp holders suit the smaller low-wattage bulbs, such as string lights. Their design enables quick and easy bulbs replacement. Wedge-base lamp holders are available in various mounting options like brackets, PCB tabs, or snap-in/ twist-in.  

Lamp Holder Design and Finishes

Besides function, lamp fittings can also provide aesthetic values. Certain types of designed pendant lights, particularly in industrial style, feature exposed lamp holders. With the right finishing, matched with ropes or coloured cables and decorative bulbs, these fixtures transform to striking focal points. 

Common decorative lamp holder finishings include:

• Antique 
• Brass
• Chrome 
• Copper
• White Ceramic 
• Linen Ceramic 
• Black Ceramic
• Black Plastic 

Lamp Holder Adaptors & Reducers

It's possible to fit different light bulbs to a more extensive lamp holder base, with the help of an adaptor. This is a simple and economical solution to replace a less efficient bulb to a more efficient one. Using adaptors and reducers modifies the lamp holders, making them compatible with the new bulb types.

Energy saving is one of the crucial reasons to utilise adaptors. Converting from one type of bulb to a smaller or the more efficient one saves energy and lowers the costs. 

If you need help to choose the right kind of lamp holder, ArchiPro provides a connection to the various professionals, ready to assist with all requirements and questions. Simply click "Contact supplier" on the product's page, or visit the supplier's website directly from the product's page.