220V G4 light bulbs

Check the voltage marked on the light fixture first: a G4 bulb clips onto two 4 mm pins and comes in both 220 V and 12 V versions, and the two are not interchangeable. This selection details two references out of the 4 in the collection, with G4 bases designed for mains power, a 1.5 W warm white LED and a 2 W clear version, both IP20 for dry rooms.

What is a G4 bulb and what is 220 V for?

A G4 bulb is a bulb with two pins spaced 4 mm apart, with no screw thread, that clips into a small socket. The 220 V marking means it connects directly to the mains, without a transformer, like most ceiling spotlights and indoor wall lights.

220V G4 bulb: two 4 mm pins, no thread

No screw to turn, no socket to screw into: the two pins go into the spotlight socket and the bulb holds by simple friction. This compact format explains why it is found where space is tight: a shallow ceiling spotlight, a hallway wall light, a cabinet light or a display case. The light is deliberately directed: it is accent or supplementary lighting, not a source for lighting an entire room. Before ordering, locate the socket of your light fixture that takes this base and note what is written on its label.

G4 220V or 12 V lamp: read the label before ordering

220 V means direct connection to the domestic mains. 12 V means a low-voltage installation, with a transformer in the fixture. The two bases look almost identical, but choosing the wrong voltage gives either a bulb that does not light up or a model that burns out. The reliable reference is always the fixture label or the transformer label, never the shape of the socket. If your installation is low voltage, go for the 12 V low-voltage versions. To compare all the formats in the catalogue, browse all bulbs sorted by base.

Which G4 220V LED bulb should I choose for a spotlight?

For an indoor spotlight, you first choose the light temperature, then the size. In this selection, the 1.5 W G4 LED bulb gives a warm white of 2700 to 3500 K and measures 0.9 cm in diameter by 3.8 cm high, which makes it suited to shallow spotlights.

G4 220V LED bulb in warm white or clear version

The two models play different roles. The 1.5 W warm white G4 LED bulb in white is suited to a living room: the light leans warm, the bulb stays discreet in a ceiling spotlight and gives off little heat. The 2 W clear G4 bulb lets the source show and gives a crisp result, which works well in a wall light, a hallway or a cabinet spotlight where the bulb remains visible. At a comparable diameter, the first is more for ceilings, the second for fixtures where transparency is part of the design. To fine-tune the shade, compare a warm white light at 2700 K and the references in the white bulbs range.

G4 220V 20W bulb: what this figure means

The wattage marked on a halogen describes its consumption, not the amount of light it gives out. With LED, the same value no longer means much: the two models in this selection are rated at 1.5 W and 2 W and are enough for an accent spotlight. The real comparison is made on the luminous flux stated on the packaging, and on the space available in the spotlight housing. So do not look for a watt-for-watt match, and instead check that the bulb fits into the socket.

How do I wire an LED on 220 V?

Wiring is done with the power off: the two wires of the G4 socket receive the live and neutral of the circuit, in a suitable box or terminal block. A 220 V G4 bulb does not need a transformer; if the fixture has one, it must be removed or replaced with a compatible model.

Wiring 3 bulbs in parallel: each socket receives 220 V

On the same circuit, several G4 spotlights are wired in parallel: each socket is connected to 220 V, independently of the others. A burnt-out bulb therefore does not switch off the following ones, which simplifies troubleshooting. Identify the live and neutral before connecting, tighten the connections in a terminal block or junction box, and keep the earth wires away from the bulb socket. If the fixture has a 12 V transformer, do not connect a 220 V bulb directly behind it. The whole process is detailed on 220 V LED bulbs.

What to check before switching the power back on

Three points are enough: the connections are tight, no bare wire is showing, the bulb is properly clipped onto its two pins. Then switch the power back on and test. Flickering or immediate switch-off often points to a poorly matched dimmer or an oxidised socket, not a faulty bulb. On the reliability side, the two references in the collection are covered by a 2-year warranty.

Can a G4 halogen bulb be replaced by an LED bulb?

Yes, provided the fixture accepts a 220 V bulb and the LED fits within the available space. A 1.5 W or 2 W G4 LED gives off less heat than a halogen, but it is sensitive to heat: avoid closed spotlights and respect the maximum power stated on the fixture.

Check the fixture voltage before ordering

A halogen fixture fitted with a 12 V transformer will not take a 220 V bulb. In that case, either choose the low-voltage version or replace the power supply. Also check the size: a G4 LED may be longer than the original bulb and hit the spotlight glass. This is the first reason for returns, even before voltage.

Keep the same atmosphere with a temperature of 2700 to 3500 K

A halogen leans warm yellow. To recreate that atmosphere, aim for a temperature of 2700 to 3500 K, like the warm white LED bulb in the selection. If you prefer a more neutral result, a slightly crisper white can be found among the 3000 K references, with a choice of glass bulbs for fixtures where the source remains visible.

What is the difference between a G4 and a GU4 bulb?

Both bases have two pins spaced 4 mm apart. The G4 is a bare base, without a reflector, whereas GU4 means a version mounted on a reflector, often 12 V. Before buying, it is therefore the marked voltage and the shape of the socket that decide, not the pin spacing.

Unsure about the format? Look at the socket first, then the label. For small-diameter two-pin bases, the family is grouped on the other G4 and G9 bases. If yours is wider, compare with a GU5.3 pin spotlight, and for a fixture with a screw socket, look instead for a large E27 base. Choosing the fixture remains the priority: see how choosing the fixture before the bulb avoids ordering mistakes.

What happens if you use an LED bulb that is too powerful?

Beyond the maximum power stated on the fixture, the LED heats up more in a closed space, which shortens its life and can damage the socket. With a 1.5 or 2 W G4 LED, you usually stay below the ceiling stated by the fixture.

Read the fixture's maximum power before changing

This value is almost always engraved inside the spotlight or stuck on the body of the fixture. It indicates what the socket and holder can withstand, not what the bulb consumes day to day. A bulb more powerful than this limit does not necessarily light better: it heats up, yellows and ages badly, especially in a closed fixture where air does not circulate. A low-power LED well placed often does a better job than an oversized bulb.

G4 220V dimmable bulb: check the dimmer

A G4 base bulb is not dimmer-controlled by default: it is the compatibility of the fixture and the dimmer that decides. Before installing a dimmable version, check the marking on the packaging and the type of dimmer already in place, otherwise the light flickers or switches off. The models intended for this use are grouped on models intended for a dimmer. Neither of the two G4 bulbs in this selection is stated as dimmable: do not assume this function.

What are the drawbacks of LED bulbs?

An LED costs more to buy than a halogen, is more sensitive to heat and some versions do not work with old dimmers. Its output is also more directional: in a small spotlight, the light is concentrated, which suits accent lighting more than general lighting.

Heat, dimmer and directivity: the three limits to know

Heat remains the weak point: in a closed spotlight, the LED cannot dissipate it and loses longevity. The dimmer comes next, with old installations that are sometimes incompatible. Finally, directivity: a G4 LED sends light straight ahead, without wide diffusion, which creates shadow areas if you rely on it to light a whole room. These are design constraints, not manufacturing defects.

What the LED still brings to a spotlight

In an accent spotlight, consumption remains low, the light temperature does not drift over time and the bulb does not burn your fingers when replacing it. This explains its use in bedrooms and living rooms: for a soft ambient light, take a look at bulbs for the bedroom and bulbs for the living room. To broaden the comparison, the LED bulbs selection covers the other formats in the catalogue.

Made up your mind? The 1.5 W warm white G4 LED bulb for a ceiling spotlight in a dry room, the 2 W clear G4 bulb for a wall light or a cabinet light. Secure payment, tracked delivery and returns possible, with the Designix customer service to check a base before ordering.

Frequently asked questions about 220V G4 bulbs