When you are buying a light bulb for a desk lamp, there are a few things you need to consider. Any bulb can pretty much be used for a desk lamp when it comes to illumination as any type will be safe to use. However, each type of bulb comes with unique properties that either make it less or more effective than the other in terms of purpose.
“How many watts does a desk lamp use?” is a question that many people ask when it comes to buying a bulb for it. This will vary from one lamp to another as different types of lamps come with different wattage requirements.
To understand the correct wattage to use, it is important to know what factors influence the wattage rating. Here are some of the important bits of information that you need to know to buy the right bulb for your desk lamp.
Table of Contents
Factors that Influence Wattage Rating
When it comes to a desk lamp, several factors such as the type of construction, the temperature rating of the wire, insulation of the socket assembly, and design play an important role in its wattage rating.
Bulbs have gone through several changes over the last few decades as old bulb types like incandescent ones have been replaced with LED counterparts and so on.
So at each stage, lamps were designed to work with the popular type of bulb being used at that time. This doesn’t mean that other bulbs won’t work with it but some might not be as efficient as the other.
A desk lamp that was designed to work with CFL bulbs, for example, may have a wattage rating of 13 to 15 watts but older models made with incandescent bulbs in mind may require 45 to 60 watts.
All models however will display their wattage requirement on the body of the lamp. So before you buy any bulb, make sure that you check it out first.
Why You Should Go for a Bulb with the Right Wattage?
Almost all types of bulbs will easily fit in any desk lamp. So you may ask yourself why you need to choose the correct wattage.
The primary reason for choosing the right wattage is safety. Incorrect wattage may lead to the bulb exploding and nearby flammable objects catching on fire. The wires inside the lamp are designed to deliver a certain amount of electricity to the bulb for illumination.
Related article: Can you Safetly Leave a Desk Lamp on Overnight?
The wattage rating specifies the maximum amount of electricity the bulb can handle before it starts to overheat. Once the wire starts to overheat, it will begin to get damaged and break over time. This in turn will lead to sparks that may set nearby flammable objects on fire.
This is particularly dangerous when it comes to a desk lamp as a lot of flammable things are usually kept near it such as paper, table cloth, etc. Moreover, as far as power consumption is considered, it will be more efficient to use a bulb with the correct wattage than just any random one.
How to Find the Right Wattage?
The label that displays the correct wattage information in a desk lamp may be placed in different areas across different models. Often, you will see it either at the back or at the bottom of the lamp.
Not all lamps may display this information. Some old ones are known for being ambiguous when it comes to wattage information. In such cases, it is always safer to use a bulb that comes with the least wattage.
Some open-type ones, however, can use bulbs that generate a lot of heat whereas most closed ones will require low wattage bulbs. So, to be safe, you can either search online for the specific model to get the correct wattage or simply use a low-wattage bulb.
Desk Lamps – Age and Wattage
If you are looking to get the most efficient bulb for your lamp, there are a few things you need to know. The type of bulb you use will mostly depend on your age as far as visibility is concerned.
| Age | Incandescent | Halogen | LED |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5-12 | 40 watt | 20 watt | 3-5 watt |
| 13-24 | 60 watt | 50 watt | 5 watt |
| 25-55 | 60 watt | 50 watt | 5-10 watt |
| 50-75+ | 100 watt | 50 watt | 5-10 watt |
- Kids aged 5 to 12 years will only require 40-watt incandescent bulbs, 20-watt halogen bulbs, or 3-5 watt LED bulbs to get sufficient lighting.
- Teenagers and young adults in the age range of 13 to 24 years will need 60-watt incandescent bulbs, 50-watt halogen bulbs, and 5-watt LED bulbs for best visibility.
- For those between 25 to 55 years, the best wattage will be 60 watts for incandescent bulbs, 50 watts for halogen bulbs, and 5 to 10 watts for LED bulbs.
- Older people who fall in the range of 50 to 75 years will need 100 watts, 50 watts, and 5 to 10 watts bulbs respectively.
Therefore, the older you get, the more powerful bulb you will need. However, the difference in wattage for LED bulbs is very less across all age groups. This makes them the most efficient bulbs to use for your lighting needs.
Most companies and brands take these details into account when they make desk lamps and some even provide the age group they are targeting on the box.
It is very important to buy the right type of bulb when it comes to desk lamps as prolonged exposure to bad lighting can severely harm your vision in the long run as well as cause migraines, headaches, and various other health complications.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, each desk lamp will have a different wattage requirement and so if you looking to replace the bulb, you need to check the label to know the right wattage.
The wattage of a lighting fixture is something that has to be taken very seriously as it will determine how safe using a desk lamp will be. The thought of a house fire from a lamp may seem like a rare occurrence but when it happens, it will be just as devastating as any other fire.
If your lamp doesn’t have any label on it, you can look it up on the internet to see its maximum wattage capacity. If you still can’t find it, your best bet is to use an LED bulb.