Understanding and applying the new standard connectors for indoor & outdoor LED-based lighting
Figure 1: The 26 mm E26 Edison base is the most widely used lamp bulb base by far, though there are some smaller and larger ones to meet various application requirements. (Image source: LOHAS LED Ltd.)
Standardization with a single base and socket lowers costs, of course. It also encourages availability of many bulb shapes, power levels, and other attributes built around that base while reducing concerns about long-term replacement for burned-out bulbs. Early generations of LED bulbs used the E26 base for compatibility with existing sockets to get users accustomed to LED lighting. These E26 LED bulbs are still widely sold, as there are countless millions of such sockets currently in use, and that will be the situation for a very long time. However, LEDs are quite different with respect to their current, voltage (DC), and power consumption when compared to
incandescent bulbs, which are typically mains powered using 120/240 volts AC. Also, the E26 socket often has relatively large screw terminals for its wires, which are not ideal for powering LED-
based sources (Figure 2). Thus, to allow LEDs to fully realize their potential from the system level down to the physical connection, new standards and types of connectors are needed. Recognizing the need for a modern lighting interface standard, the Digital Illumination Interface Alliance (DiiA) developed the DALI standard.
Figure 2: The large screw terminals required for wiring an E26-base socket interfere with getting the best use of the LED-based light source. (Image source: Family Handyman via Pinterest)
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