Editing Incandescent light bulb (section)

=== Common shape codes ===

;General Service/General Lighting Service (GLS)
:Light emitted in (nearly) all directions. Available either clear or frosted.
:Types: [[A-series light bulb|General]] (A), elliptical (E), mushroom (M), sign (S), tubular (T)
:120&nbsp;V sizes: A17, 19 and 21
:230&nbsp;V sizes: A55 and 60{{efn|name=EU-metric|1=Size measured in millimetres. See also [[A-series light bulb]].}}

;High Wattage General Service
:Lamps greater than 200 watts.
:Types: Pear-shaped (PS)

;Decorative
:lamps used in chandeliers, etc. Smaller candle-sized bulbs may use a smaller socket.
:Types: candle (B), twisted candle, bent-tip candle (CA & BA), flame (F), globe (G), lantern chimney (H), fancy round (P)
:230&nbsp;V sizes: P45, G95

;Reflector (R): Reflective coating inside the bulb directs light forward. Flood types (FL) spread light. Spot types (SP) concentrate the light. Reflector (R) bulbs put approximately double the amount of light (foot-candles) on the front central area as General Service (A) of same wattage.
:Types: Standard reflector (R), bulged reflector (BR), elliptical reflector (ER), crown-silvered
:120&nbsp;V sizes: R16, 20, 25 and 30
:230&nbsp;V sizes: R50, 63, 80 and 95{{efn|name=EU-metric}}

;Parabolic aluminized reflector (PAR)
:[[Parabolic aluminized reflector light|Parabolic aluminized reflector]] (PAR) bulbs control light more precisely. They produce about four times the concentrated light intensity of general service (A), and are used in recessed and track lighting. Weatherproof casings are available for outdoor spot and flood fixtures.
:120&nbsp;V sizes: PAR 16, 20, 30, 38, 56 and 64
:230&nbsp;V sizes: PAR 16, 20, 30, 38, 56 and 64
:Available in numerous spot and flood beam spreads. Like all light bulbs, the number represents the diameter of the bulb in {{frac|1|8}} of an inch. Therefore, a PAR 16 is {{cvt|2|in|order=flip}} in diameter, a PAR 20 is {{cvt|2.5|in|order=flip}} in diameter, PAR 30 is {{cvt|3.75|in|order=flip}} and a PAR 38 is {{cvt|4.75|in|order=flip}} in diameter.
[[File:GE 60 watt package light bulbs.jpg|thumb|A package of four 60-watt light bulbs]]

;Multifaceted reflector (MR)
:[[Multifaceted reflector]] bulbs are usually smaller in size and run at a lower voltage, often 12&nbsp;V.

[[File:MR-Variations.jpg|thumb|Left to right: MR16 with GU10 base, MR16 with GU5.3 base, MR11 with GU4 or GZ4 base]]

;HIR/IRC: "HIR" is a [[GE]] designation for a lamp with an infrared reflective coating. Since less heat escapes, the filament burns hotter and more efficiently.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gelighting.com/na/business_lighting/education_resources/glossary.htm |title=Lighting Resources |work=GE Lighting North America |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070703041351/http://www.gelighting.com/na/business_lighting/education_resources/glossary.htm |archive-date=3 July 2007 }}</ref> The [[Osram]] designation for a similar coating is "IRC".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.osram.com/osram_com/Tools_%26_Services/Calculators_and_Consultants/IRC_Saver_calculator/index.html |publisher=Osram |title=IRC Saver calculator |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081223121730/http://www.osram.com/osram_com/Tools_%26_Services/Calculators_and_Consultants/IRC_Saver_calculator/index.html |archive-date=23 December 2008 }}</ref>