{"title":"12V G4 table lamps","description":"\u003cp\u003eA 12V G4 table lamp runs on low voltage and takes a two-pin capsule bulb: first check the voltage of the fixture and the condition of the transformer, then the space available on the furniture. The G4 base requires a dedicated 12-volt bulb, which determines everything else in your choice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"culot-g4\"\u003eWhat is a 12V G4 table lamp and what is the G4 base for?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA 12V G4 table lamp runs on a 12-volt low-voltage supply and takes a G4 base bulb, a small two-pin base. It does not connect directly to 230 volts: you need a transformer or 12-volt driver whose power rating covers the installed bulb.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn practice, this fixture sits on a side table, a console or a bedside table, and the transformer goes behind the furniture or under the base. The G4 base is only there to hold the capsule: two thin pins, one mounting direction, no rotation. Once the bulb is in place, the lamp behaves like any table lamp, with a cable and a switch.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e12V G4 table lamps LED or halogen: what difference in light output?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHalogen gives a warm, dense light, but heats up and uses more energy. LED heats little, lasts longer and comes in several shades, from warm white to neutral white. For a mood lamp, stay with a warm shade; for a work surface, a more neutral white is easier to read under. See \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/designix.fr\/collections\/lampes-a-poser-led-design\"\u003ethe design LED range\u003c\/a\u003e to compare light outputs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCan you plug a 12V G4 lamp into 220V?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo, the bulb would burn out instantly. The 230 volts from the mains must go through a transformer or driver that steps the voltage down to 12 volts. If you are replacing an old fixture, read the voltage on the label before ordering, and check whether the transformer is included or needs to be planned for. The rest of the catalogue can be browsed in \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/luminaire\"\u003eall the home lighting fixtures\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"puissance\"\u003eHow to choose the power of a G4 bulb: 1W, 2W, 5W or 20W?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe power of a G4 bulb is chosen according to use and the transformer already in place. A low-power bulb is enough for accent light, a more powerful bulb lights a wider area. The rule to remember: the total wattage of the bulbs must not exceed that of the driver.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e12V G4 table lamps 1W and 2W: for what use?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese wattages suit a night light, a bedside table or a discreet halo in a hallway. The light stays soft and does not interfere with reading a screen. On an adjustable lamp, they are enough to mark a passage without dazzling. \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/lampes-a-poser-orientables\"\u003eAdjustable lamps\u003c\/a\u003e let you aim at the wall rather than at the face.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e12V G4 table lamps 20W or 40W: can the transformer keep up?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA powerful bulb needs a driver capable of supplying it, and the 5W or 20W models are mostly found in halogen. Before increasing power, open the transformer housing and read its limit. If it is exceeded, the lamp flickers or goes out: you need to change the driver, not the bulb.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"salon\"\u003eWhat are the most beautiful living room lamps?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn a living room, a table lamp is chosen first for the light it gives at seating height, then for its silhouette. A slim stem and a discreet diffuser sit alongside a sofa without overpowering it, a wider model becomes the focal point of a console or an empty corner.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe measurement that matters is that of the furniture: the diffuser should reach roughly shoulder height when you are seated, to light a book without dazzling. Around the sofa, leave some breathing room: a lamp pressed against the backrest looks bad and heats up. Style-wise, a sphere on a side table lights in all directions and serves as much as an object as a source of accent light; a model with a tall stem and shade makes more of a statement. Browse \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/lampes-a-poser-design-pour-salon\"\u003etable lamps for the living room\u003c\/a\u003e before deciding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor a very understated room, \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/lampes-a-poser-moderne-pour-salon\"\u003econtemporary lines\u003c\/a\u003e hold the decor without cluttering it. For a more dressed interior, \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/lampes-a-poser-en-cristal\"\u003ecrystal lamps\u003c\/a\u003e play with light reflecting off the facets.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"branchement\"\u003eHow to connect several lamps to a single electrical supply?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSeveral 12V table lamps are connected in parallel to the same transformer: each lamp receives its full 12 volts and a single switch can control the whole set. The driver must accept the total wattage, and each connection must be clean, insulated and accessible for maintenance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWiring 3 lamps to 1 switch: how to proceed?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCut the power at the consumer unit. Connect the input of each lamp to the same 12-volt supply, then feed the transformer from the supply controlled by the switch. Add up the wattages of the three bulbs and compare with the driver's limit. If in doubt about the wiring, entrust the work to an electrician.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eConnecting several lamps in parallel: why is this the rule in 12V?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn series, the voltage is shared and each lamp receives less than 12 volts: the light dims or becomes unstable. In parallel, each point keeps the same voltage and remains independent. This is the logic to keep in a bedroom, for example with \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/lampes-a-poser-design-pour-chambre\"\u003emodels designed for the bedroom\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"pied-ou-poser\"\u003eFloor lamp or table lamp: which to choose depending on the room?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA floor lamp lights a wide area and moves without support, which makes it useful near a sofa or a reading armchair. A table lamp, more compact, is content with a console, a bedside table or a desk. The choice depends on the floor space and the height of light you want.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ccaption\u003eWhich 12V G4 table lamp for each room?\u003c\/caption\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRoom\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eLight sought\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eLamp format\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePoint to check\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLiving room, around the sofa\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eambient, diffuse\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eslim stem, low diffuser\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003espace on the side table\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBedroom, bedside\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003efocused reading light\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003esmall base, seating height\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eswitch within reach from the bed\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDesk\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eclear light towards the work surface\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eadjustable arm or gooseneck\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eheight under the diffuser\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHallway or corridor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ediscreet halo marking the passage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ecompact format, stable base\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eproximity to a socket\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReading corner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003elight directed onto the book\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eadjustable reflector\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003edistance to the armchair\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"compatibilite\"\u003eHow to avoid confusion between 12V G4, integrated LED and 230V?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBefore ordering, check the base of the original bulb, the supply voltage and the space available around the base. An integrated LED model needs no bulb; a G4 base model requires a 12-volt bulb and a working transformer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ccaption\u003eBases and voltages: the confusions to avoid\u003c\/caption\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBase or type\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSupply voltage\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAssociated bulb\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eTransformer required\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eG4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e12V\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003etwo-pin capsule\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eyes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGU10\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e230V\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGU10 bulb\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eno\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eE14\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e230V\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003esmall screw bulb\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eno\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eE27\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e230V\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003elarge screw bulb\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eno\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntegrated LED\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003edepends on the fixture\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003enone, not replaceable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003edepends on the model\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAdd three checks when ordering: the footprint of the lamp on the furniture, the protection rating if the room is damp, and the colour relative to the rest of the furniture. A failed transformer can be replaced: the lamp is not lost. The power of the new driver must cover that of the bulb, with a small margin.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"accorder\"\u003eHow to match a 12V G4 table lamp with the rest of the room?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA table lamp is matched by material and colour more than by style. A black metal stem fits in a contemporary interior, a wood or ceramic base warms up a light room. Keep to a single family of shades and repeat a material already present in the room.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eMetal, wood or ceramic: what effect in a living room?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMetal reflects light and matches furniture legs, wood softens and echoes a parquet floor or a table, ceramic brings a matte surface that absorbs light. See \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/lampes-a-poser-en-ceramique\"\u003eceramic bases\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/lampes-a-poser-en-bois-design\"\u003ewood lamps\u003c\/a\u003e to compare textures.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eBlack or white colour: how to decide?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlack stands out against a light wall and emphasises a silhouette, white fades away and leaves only the light visible. In an already dark room, a light stem avoids a heavy mass. Compare \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/lampes-a-poser-coloris-noir-pour-salon\"\u003eblack finishes\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/lampes-a-poser-coloris-blanc-design\"\u003ethe white colour\u003c\/a\u003e, or go for \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/lampes-a-poser-nordique\"\u003eScandinavian style\u003c\/a\u003e for an understated look.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"installer\"\u003eHow to install and maintain a low-voltage table lamp?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlace the lamp near a socket, leave the transformer ventilated and never enclosed under fabric. Dust the diffuser with a dry cloth, cut the power before changing the bulb and check that the G4 base pins are tight if the light flickers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThree maintenance steps are enough: a dry cloth on the shade, a check of the cable once a year, and replacement of the driver as soon as it hums. To change the bulb, unplug, let it cool, then remove the capsule by pulling it straight out, without levering on the pins. A linen cloth or textile diffuser is cleaned dry, never with water. Find \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/lampes-a-poser-en-lin\"\u003elinen lamps\u003c\/a\u003e for this type of diffuser, and the rest of the \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/luminaire\"\u003efull lighting catalogue\u003c\/a\u003e if you are fitting out several rooms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSecure payment, tracked delivery, returns and Designix customer service: if a bulb does not light up or the transformer does not match your installation, the team will answer before you change model. Choose the room and the height of light first, 12V compatibility is checked afterwards.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"faq\"\u003eFrequently asked questions about 12V G4 table lamps\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eDo you need a transformer for a 12V G4 table lamp?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes, unless the fixture already has its own 12-volt supply built in. The transformer, or driver, converts the 230 volts from the mains to 12 volts. Its power must cover that of the installed bulb, with a small margin. An enclosed or undersized transformer heats up and makes the lamp flicker.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003e12V G4 LED table lamps: which transformer to choose?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eChoose a 12-volt driver whose stated power covers the installed LED bulb. G4 LED bulbs use little power, but some work poorly with old halogen transformers: light that flickers or does not come on. In that case, replace the driver rather than the bulb.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eHow to wire 3 lamps to 1 switch?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe three lamps are wired in parallel: their inputs are connected to the same 12-volt transformer and the switch cuts the supply upstream. Each lamp thus remains independent in terms of the voltage it receives. If the three bulbs exceed the driver's power, you need to choose a more powerful model.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eWhere to place a design ball table lamp?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eA ball lamp, spherical in shape, lights in all directions: place it on a console, a side table or a low shelf rather than against a wall, otherwise some of its light is lost. On a living room side table or a clear bedside table, it serves as both ambience and object.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eFloor lamp or table lamp: which to choose for a living room?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe floor lamp takes up a little floor space but lights near an armchair without occupying a surface. The table lamp slips onto a console, a sofa end or a shelf and suits small living rooms. Both can coexist: a large one for reading, a small one for ambience.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"CollectionPage\",\"name\":\"12V G4 table lamps: choosing your low-voltage fixture\",\"description\":\"G4 base, 12V supply, transformer, power, type of light: the criteria for choosing a 12V G4 table lamp suited to each room.\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/designix.fr\/collections\/lampes-a-poser-12v-g4\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"name\":\"Designix\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/designix.fr\"},\"speakable\":{\"@type\":\"SpeakableSpecification\",\"cssSelector\":[\"h1\",\"h2\"]}},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/designix.fr\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Lighting\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/designix.fr\/collections\/luminaire\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Lamps\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/designix.fr\/collections\/lampes\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":4,\"name\":\"12V G4 table lamps: choosing your low-voltage fixture\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/designix.fr\/collections\/lampes-a-poser-12v-g4\"}]},{\"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\":[{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How to connect several lamps to a single electrical supply?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Connect each lamp in parallel to the 12-volt transformer, then feed this transformer from the electrical supply. A single switch is enough if all the lamps are to come on together. Check that the total wattage of the bulbs remains within the driver's limits, and call an electrician if in doubt.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How to wire 3 lamps to 1 switch?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"The three lamps are wired in parallel: their inputs are connected to the same 12-volt transformer and the switch cuts the supply upstream. Each lamp thus remains independent in terms of the voltage it receives. If the three bulbs exceed the driver's power, you need to choose a more powerful model.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Can you plug a 12V G4 lamp into 220V?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"No. A G4 base bulb runs on 12 volts and cannot withstand the 230 volts from the mains: it would burn out immediately. The lamp must go through a 12-volt transformer or driver. So check the voltage indicated on the label before ordering, especially if you are replacing an old fixture.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Do you need a transformer for a 12V G4 table lamp?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Yes, unless the fixture already has its own 12-volt supply built in. The transformer, or driver, converts the 230 volts from the mains to 12 volts. Its power must cover that of the installed bulb, with a small margin. An enclosed or undersized transformer heats up and makes the lamp flicker.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"12V G4 LED table lamps: which transformer to choose?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Choose a 12-volt driver whose stated power covers the installed LED bulb. G4 LED bulbs use little power, but some work poorly with old halogen transformers: light that flickers or does not come on. In that case, replace the driver rather than the bulb.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Where to place a design ball table lamp?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"A ball lamp, spherical in shape, lights in all directions: place it on a console, a side table or a low shelf rather than against a wall, otherwise some of its light is lost. On a living room side table or a clear bedside table, it serves as both ambience and object.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Floor lamp or table lamp: which to choose for a living room?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"The floor lamp takes up a little floor space but lights near an armchair without occupying a surface. The table lamp slips onto a console, a sofa end or a shelf and suits small living rooms. Both can coexist: a large one for reading, a small one for ambience.\"}}]}]}\u003c\/script\u003e","products":[],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0677\/8598\/2228\/collections\/designix-entete-lampes-a-poser-12v-g4-v1.jpg?v=1792809592","url":"https:\/\/designix-lighting.com\/collections\/12v-g4-table-lamps.oembed","provider":"Designix","version":"1.0","type":"link"}