Future of light bulbs, B22 Bayonet or E27 Screw

andyca

I'm just updating my light bulbs to some new smart home bulbs so the house looks occupied while I'm away, and I can do some "smart lighting" routines like turning on the landing lights after my alarm goes off in the mornings etc.

I'm also looking at some new light fittings and I've noticed most in the big DIY stores are E27 Screw types rather than B22 Bayonet, which I currently have everywhere.

Does anyone know if there is an industry switch from B22 to E27 happening?
Am I better off going for E27 bulbs and fittings to future proof the investment?

I know I can get a converter but I've looked at a few and they seem to be very flimsy and I'm not sure I'd trust the ones I've seenin a socket which will never be truly off.

molerat

E27 is the euro standard, B22 is the old British standard so of course E27 is taking over as it has a larger customer base.

chrisw

molerat wrote: »

E27 is the euro standard, B22 is the old British standard so of course E27 is taking over as it has a larger customer base.

Does Brexit mean we'll revert back to B22?

MX5huggy

BC developed in the 1870’s vs ES in 1909

I think this one still has some way to run. Buy light fittings you like or lamps you like and find the other bit to match.

WobblyDog

molerat wrote: »

E27 is the euro standard, B22 is the old British standard so of course E27 is taking over as it has a larger customer base.

I hope E27 replaces B22, just to reduce the size of my bag of spare bulbs. It currently contains bulbs with B22, E27, E14, B15, GU10, MR12 and G9 bases. Ikea now sell bulbs with GX53 bases, to add to the confusion.

On the subject of converters, the B22-to-E27 converters sold by Ikea seem quite sturdy.

searchlight123

i work in the domestic lighting industry.
nearly 99% of all lights are now manfuactured in china on a massive scale for worldwide distribution where nearly all countries now use E27 or E14 screw in light bulbs (lamps). i don't know of any being made now with BC or SBC lampholders so yes, screw in lamps will be the norm, going forward.

tbh it is far easier to locate a screw in lamp into a lampholder than the old bayonet ones used to be, what with lining up the prongs etc and the lamps tend to sit straighter in decorative fittings easier with screw in lampholders.

Gloomendoom

That’s me stuffed then. I don’t think there is a single screw bulb in this house.

Heedtheadvice

Stuffed?
Surely that should now be screwed, Gloomy?:):):) :eek::o

Yes go for ES at every change....

lstar337

I don't think BC22's are going anywhere in any of our lifetimes, so it is practically a non-issue.

Yes ES may take over eventually, but not in the next few months or years.

andyca

Thanks all, I thought I could see a shift occurring. The energy saving bulbs I am replacing have been in there for nearly 10 years with I think only one failure due to a bathroom leak coming through the ceiling rose, we are redecorating and replacing the lampshades more often than the bulbs!

These new LED bulbs have an even longer service life so as long as the smart tech keeps working they'll probably outlast a few more household style changes. I've decided since the bulbs are £15-40 each and a replacement E27/ES pendant is around £2 i'm replacing all the fittings I can.

Getting screwed now to avoid getting screwed in the future.
Thanks for all your replies!

M0ch4

If any one cares. BC22 is technically far superior to the screw fitting.

With BC22 there was one bulb fitting, no hunting around to get the right size.

The bayonet fitting is easier to fit. Doesn't vibrate loose and doesn't 'stick' with time. I have never had a bayonet fitting bulb break in my hands (I have had several screw fit bulbs do this and I rarely use them).

I have just change the bathroom down lighter bulb. Took me about twenty minutes trying to get enough grip on the bulb and unscrew it. Bayone fitting would have taken seconds.