About Par Lamps
When shopping for spotlight or floodlight bulbs, parabolic aluminized reflector, or PAR, halogen lamps are often a good choice. The diameter of PAR-type halogen bulbs is measured in 1/8-inch increments, meaning a PAR16 is 2 inches in diameter. PAR-type bulb styles include PAR14, PAR16, PAR20, PAR30, PAR36, PAR38 and PAR56. Most PAR-type halogen lamps are designed for both indoor and outdoor use, making them more versatile than traditional incandescent spotlights, which usually are specifically labeled for one or the other. Does this Spark an idea?
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Lamp Bases of PAR Bulbs
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Most PAR-type lamps have a threaded medium base, which may also be referred to as a "standard" base or an "Edison" base. This means that most can be used in conventional lampholders. There are two exceptions. PAR56 bulbs are equipped with a 2-pin, "mogul end prong" base. Because of their size, PAR56 bulbs produce 8,000 lumens of illumination. The other exception is the 12-volt PAR36 spotlight bulb, which connects to a 12-volt power source with a pair of screw terminals.
Colored PAR-type Halogen Bulbs
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PAR20, PAR30 and PAR38 halogen bulbs are also manufactured with colored lenses. Each of the three types is available in green, blue, red, amber, yellow and pink. Screwed into the sockets of your outdoor spotlight fixtures, they can lend a festive atmosphere to a backyard barbecue or late-night party by your pool. All three styles are available with clear glass lenses as well.
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Available Wattages
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PAR-type bulbs, both floodlight and spotlight models, are available in a wide variety of wattages. The 12-volt PAR36 is at the low end of the wattage scale with 25 watts. Wattages then increase as the sizes of the bulbs get progressively larger. Most wattages fall in the range of 45 watts to 250 watts. At the high end of the wattage spectrum, is the 7-inch, PAR56, with a wattage of 500.
Available PAR Beam Widths
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Like the wattage numbers, PAR-type bulbs are available with a wide variety of beam widths. The narrowest is the 8-degree width of a "narrow spot" bulb. Beam widths increase from that level, reaching a maximum width of 55 degrees on the "wide flood" models. Many PAR-type bulbs are manufactured with several different beam widths, though the wattage for each may be the same. This provides the consumer with a wide variety of lighting options.
PAR Floodlights vs. Incandescent Floodlights
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To have a feel for the enhanced lighting capabilities of PAR-type bulbs, it's best to compare them to their incandescent counterparts. As an example, a typcial 90-watt PAR38 bulb has a light output of 1,260 lumens, and an average lifespan of 2,500 hours. A similarly sized incandescent bulb uses 120 watts of power to produce 1,350 lumens of illumination, and has an average lifespan of 2,000 hours. The halogen PAR uses 25 percent less power, lasts 25 percent longer, yet produces nearly the same level of illumination. Bulb-for-bulb, the PAR-type halogen is a smart choice for anyone trying to save money on energy.
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