{"title":"12V G4 bulbs","description":"\u003cp\u003eA G4 12V LED bulb is a small low-voltage bulb whose base consists of two pins 4 mm apart, hence its name. It fits compact light fixtures: recessed spotlights, multi-point pendant lights, cabinet or display case lighting. It works with a transformer that steps down the 230V mains supply to 12V.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"quetre\"\u003eWhat is a G4 12V LED bulb and which light fixtures is it found in?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA G4 12V LED bulb is a small low-voltage bulb whose base consists of two pins 4 mm apart, hence its name. It fits compact light fixtures: recessed spotlights, multi-point pendant lights, cabinet or display case lighting. It works with a transformer that steps down the 230V mains supply to 12V.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eA G4 12V LED bulb, a two-pin base\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe G4 base is recognisable by its two thin pins that are pushed into the socket, with no screw or bayonet fitting. The bulb is short, often just a module placed in a reflector or a cup. In a recessed ceiling spotlight, it almost disappears: what matters is the halo it leaves on the wall or worktop. The choice therefore comes down to colour temperature and available space, before any technical debate. Find the models in our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/designix.fr\/collections\/ampoules-12v\"\u003e12V low-voltage bulbs\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy 12 volts and not 230 volts?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e12V allows a tiny bulb to be housed in a very slim light fixture, without the insulation constraints of the mains supply. The transformer, built into the spotlight, the track or housed separately in a box, performs the conversion. It is the transformer that determines operation: its minimum load and its type decide whether a modern bulb will light correctly. To equip an entire room, start from the light fixture and work back to the bulb, browsing \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/luminaire\"\u003ethe Designix lighting catalogue\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"savoir\"\u003eHow do I know which bulb I need?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFirst locate the base and voltage marked on the old bulb or on the socket: a G4 is not screwed in, it is pinned, and it only accepts 12V. Then check the available space, the desired light colour and, if the fixture is on a dimmer, the bulb's compatibility.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eRead the base and voltage on the socket\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRemove the bulb in place and read what is engraved on the socket or base. If you read GU5.3, the pins are thicker and the bulb often wider: look at our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/ampoules-gu5\"\u003eGU5.3 bulbs for 12V spotlights\u003c\/a\u003e. If the marking says 230V, there is no transformer and you need to look elsewhere, in \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/ampoules\"\u003ethe full range of bulbs for all bases\u003c\/a\u003e or towards \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/autres-culots-ampoules-g4-g9-etc-1\"\u003eother G4 and G9 bases\u003c\/a\u003e. A small accent light may also require an \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/ampoules-e14\"\u003eE14 base for small light fixtures\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eMeasure the clearance before ordering\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA G4 fits into a very short space. Measure the usable depth between the socket and the edge of the fixture, then the free diameter around the module. A bulb that is too long prevents the protective glass or reflector from being put back. Also note the current colour temperature: two bulbs of different colours in the same room are immediately noticeable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ccaption\u003eWhich base for which light fixture\u003c\/caption\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBase\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eVoltage\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eType of light fixture\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eKey point\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\u003eRecessed spotlight, compact pendant, cabinet lighting\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTwo thin pins, small-diameter bulb\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGU5.3\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e12V\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAdjustable spotlight, spotlight track\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThicker pins, reflector often built in\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGU10\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e230V\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBayonet spotlight\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNo transformer required\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eG9\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e230V\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePendant, wall light, ceiling light\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLoop pins, bulb often in glass\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 light fixture, accent lamp\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSmall-pitch thread\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"led\"\u003eCan I replace a G4 halogen bulb with an LED bulb?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, provided you stay at 12V and on a G4 base. A G4 LED runs cooler and uses less power than halogen, but some older transformers require a minimum load: if the fixture does not light or flickers, check the transformer before drawing conclusions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat really changes with a G4 LED\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe fixture heats up much less, which matters in a niche or under a shelf where air circulation is poor. The light remains stable over time and consumption drops for a comparable light level. The result depends on the module: a quality module gives a uniform colour, a very cheap model may lean green or flicker. Compare in our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/ampoules-led-12v\"\u003e12V LED bulbs\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eTransformer and dimmer, the two points to check\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn electronic transformer designed for halogen may not start with an LED that draws too little: it expects a minimum load. The classic symptom is flickering or delayed start-up. If the fixture is on a dimmer, check that the bulb is declared compatible and that the dimmer accepts the low load, for example among our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/ampoules-led-a-variateur\"\u003edimmable LED bulbs\u003c\/a\u003e. Otherwise, test one bulb before replacing the whole setup.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"puissance\"\u003eG4 12V 10W or 20W bulb: how do I read the power rating?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe figures 10W and 20W correspond to the original consumption, often halogen. In LED, the stated power is much lower for a comparable output. The useful reference is therefore not the watt but the luminous flux in lumens, to compare with the bulb you are replacing, so as to keep the same light level. General guide: a 12W LED gives around 1000 to 1200 lm, and a 3W G4 LED can replace a 25W halogen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHalogen and LED cannot be compared by wattage\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith a halogen, 20W visibly lights more than 10W, and heats up more. With an LED, the same nominal power says almost nothing about the light level produced. Continuing to think in watts leads to buying too weak or too strong, and to wondering why the room is less bright than before. Instead, identify the fixture's technology: if it is 230V, \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/ampoules-gu10\"\u003eGU10 230V bulbs\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/ampoules-led-220v\"\u003e220V LED bulbs\u003c\/a\u003e are the right families.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eLuminous flux in lumens, the only reliable reference\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFlux, expressed in lumens, indicates the amount of light emitted. This is the value to compare from one bulb to another, staying with an equivalent use: a hallway needs little, a worktop needs more. Power in watts mainly serves to check what the transformer can supply, information found in its instructions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"teinte\"\u003eWhich bulb lights best: warm white, neutral white or cool white?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo colour temperature lights better than another: each creates an atmosphere. Warm white, around 2700K, suits the living room and bedroom; neutral white, between 3000 and 4000K, suits kitchens, bathrooms and worktops. For the same bulb, it is the luminous flux in lumens that determines the amount of light, not the colour temperature.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e2700K and 3000K, the light that relaxes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAround 2700K, the light leans golden and extends the evening without straining the eye. This is the colour of our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/ampoules-2700k\"\u003e2700K warm white bulbs\u003c\/a\u003e, suited to a reading corner or a pendant above a table. At 3000K, the white remains soft but a little crisper, close to the halogen rendering: see the \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/ampoules-3000k\"\u003e3000K colour for the kitchen\u003c\/a\u003e and hallways.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e4000K and above, the light that works\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbove 4000K, the white becomes clear, with no yellow cast. This suits bathrooms, worktops and areas where colours or details are distinguished. In a living room, this colour cools the atmosphere in the evening. One rule holds: keep the same colour temperature on all light points in the same room.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ccaption\u003eColour temperature: which colour for which room\u003c\/caption\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eColour\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eKelvin reference\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAtmosphere created\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRooms\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWarm white\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2700K\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGolden, soft light\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLiving room, bedroom, reading corner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWarm to neutral white\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3000K\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoft white, close to halogen\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eKitchen, hallway, dining room\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeutral white\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4000K\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eClear light, no colour cast\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBathroom, worktop, office\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"ou\"\u003eWhere to install a G4 12V LED bulb in the home?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA G4 12V finds its place where the light fixture is small: recessed spotlights, under-cabinet track, display case, niche, multi-arm pendant. In a bathroom or a sheltered outdoor area, check the fixture's ingress protection rating, because the bulb alone does not protect against moisture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eBathroom and damp rooms, check the fixture's IP rating\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe ingress protection rating, marked IP followed by two digits, qualifies the fixture, not the bulb. A spotlight above a bathtub or in the splash zone must be protected against splashes. The G4 bulb remains a bare bulb: it is the protective glass and the fixture's seals that do the work. The location decides the rest, not the bulb's specification.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eDisplay cases, furniture and worktops\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnder a shelf or in a display case, the G4 lights up close without taking up space. Choose a colour temperature consistent with the room: for a rest area, look at our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/ampoules-pour-salon\"\u003eliving room bulbs\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/ampoules-pour-chambre\"\u003ebedroom lighting\u003c\/a\u003e, then carry that colour over to the furniture spotlights. To harmonise several rooms, browse \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/luminaire\"\u003eall our light fixtures by room\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"parallele\"\u003eHow do I wire 3 bulbs in parallel?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThree G4 bulbs are wired in parallel: each socket receives the two circuit wires, with the same markings on each. The voltage remains identical across all three, which is not the case in series. The transformer must be able to supply the whole setup and the connection is always made with the power off.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eThe parallel diagram, socket by socket\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe principle is simple to describe: the two circuit wires arrive at the first socket, continue to the second, then to the third, with the same marking on each socket. Each bulb therefore receives the full transformer voltage. In series, a faulty bulb would switch off the others and the voltage would be shared, which is not the setup expected on a domestic light fixture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat must stay in an electrician's hands\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSwitch off the power at the consumer unit before any work. Transformer sizing, wire cross-section and connection to an existing circuit are found in the fixture's instructions and in installation rules: these points cannot be improvised. If the fixture is a complete multi-arm model, follow the original wiring, for example on our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/ampoules-gu5\"\u003emulti-point 12V spotlight models\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"entretien\"\u003eHow to change and maintain a G4 12V LED bulb?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSwitch off the power before unplugging the bulb: on a G4 base, it is removed by pulling it straight out, without twisting. A dry cloth is enough for the fixture, and it is better not to touch the LED module with your fingers. Replacement is done cold, once the bulb has cooled.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eUnplug without forcing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe two pins are thin: a sideways movement twists them and damages the socket. Hold the bulb by its edges, pull along the axis. If it resists, it is often because the holder is seized by heat, not because the bulb is stuck. A dry brush or a lint-free cloth removes dust from the reflector, which otherwise swallows part of the light.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eMaking a G4 LED last\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn LED heats up less, but it does not like being enclosed without ventilation: let closed fixtures breathe and do not block the vents. Avoid violent voltage fluctuations and undersized transformers. To change style in classic fixtures, compare our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/ampoules-moderne\"\u003emodern bulbs\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/ampoules-a-filament\"\u003efilament bulbs\u003c\/a\u003e, keeping the same base and voltage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOne last point before confirming: note the base, voltage and colour temperature in a photo of the old bulb, and you will order the right reference first time. At Designix, payment is secure, delivery is tracked and returns are possible, with customer service available to check transformer or dimmer compatibility.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"faq\"\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eWhat are the 4 types of bulbs?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe main distinctions are screw bases (E27 and E14), bayonet bases (GU10 at 230V), pin bases (G4 and GU5.3 at 12V, G9 at 230V) and recessed spotlight sockets. The type is chosen according to the light fixture, never according to power alone.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eDo I need a transformer for a 12V G4 LED bulb?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes: a 12V bulb cannot be connected directly to the 230V mains supply. The light fixture incorporates a transformer, sometimes housed in the spotlight or the track, sometimes separate. It is the transformer that steps down the voltage, and its minimum load must be checked when switching to LED.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eWhat is the difference between a G4 12V 10W bulb and a G4 12V 20W bulb?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eThese values indicate the consumption of the original bulb, often halogen: 20W lights more strongly than 10W in this technology. In LED, the stated power is much lower for a comparable output. Compare the luminous flux in lumens, not the number of watts.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eIs it possible to replace a halogen bulb with an LED?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes in most light fixtures, provided you keep the same base and the same voltage. A 12V halogen is replaced by a 12V LED, a 230V one by a 230V LED. Check the transformer and, if the fixture is dimmable, compatibility with the dimmer.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eHow do I change a G4 12V LED bulb?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eSwitch off the power, let it cool, then pull the bulb straight out of the socket without twisting it. Insert the new one by aligning the two pins and pushing along the axis, without touching the module. Switch back on to check the colour temperature and the absence of flickering.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"CollectionPage\",\"name\":\"G4 12V LED bulbs: choosing the right bulb for your light fixture\",\"description\":\"G4 12V LED bulbs: understanding the two-pin base, choosing between halogen and LED, the right colour temperature and parallel wiring.\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/designix.fr\/collections\/ampoules-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\":\"Bulbs\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/designix.fr\/collections\/ampoules\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":4,\"name\":\"G4 12V LED bulbs: choosing the right bulb for your light fixture\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/designix.fr\/collections\/ampoules-12v-g4\"}]},{\"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\":[{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How do I wire 3 bulbs in parallel?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Each socket receives the two circuit wires, with the same markings from one socket to the next: this is parallel wiring. The voltage remains identical across all three bulbs. Switch off the power, respect the indicated polarity and check in the instructions that the transformer supplies the whole setup.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Can I replace a G4 halogen bulb with an LED bulb?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Yes, keeping 12V and the G4 base. The LED runs cooler and uses less power. The point to check is the transformer: some older models require a minimum load and may refuse an LED that draws too little. Test before replacing the whole fixture.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How do I know which bulb I need?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Read the base and voltage on the socket or on the old bulb: this determines everything else. Then check the available clearance in the fixture, the light colour wanted for the room and, if the fixture is dimmable, the bulb's compatibility.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Which bulb lights best?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"It depends on the room, not on a ranking. A warm white around 2700K relaxes a living room or bedroom, a neutral white between 3000 and 4000K suits a kitchen or bathroom better. The amount of light is read in lumens on the packaging.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What are the 4 types of bulbs?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"The main distinctions are screw bases (E27 and E14), bayonet bases (GU10 at 230V), pin bases (G4 and GU5.3 at 12V, G9 at 230V) and recessed spotlight sockets. 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Check the transformer and, if the fixture is dimmable, compatibility with the dimmer.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Do I need a transformer for a 12V G4 LED bulb?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Yes: a 12V bulb cannot be connected directly to the 230V mains supply. The light fixture incorporates a transformer, sometimes housed in the spotlight or the track, sometimes separate. It is the transformer that steps down the voltage, and its minimum load must be checked when switching to LED.\"}}]}]}\u003c\/script\u003e","products":[],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0677\/8598\/2228\/collections\/designix-entete-ampoules-12v-g4-v1.jpg?v=1792881548","url":"https:\/\/designix-lighting.com\/collections\/g4-12v-led-bulbs.oembed","provider":"Designix","version":"1.0","type":"link"}