R7S LED bulbs
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Frequently asked questions
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First measure the length of the bulb in place, pins included: 78 mm or 118 mm, and these two formats are not interchangeable. Next comes the flux in lumens compared to that of the original halogen, then the dimmable mention if the fixture is on a dimmer. Three checks, and the rest is just a matter of light rendering.
What is an R7S LED bulb used for and how to recognize the R7S base?
An R7S bulb is a linear two-pin bulb, called pencil or linolite, which equips fixtures where the tube is visible and held by its ends. The R7S base refers to this pin holding, without screw thread: it is found on floor lamps, wall lights and halogen ceiling lights.
R7S pencil bulb: a two-pin socket
Look at the ends: two metal pins come out of the glass, one on each side. They clip into spring sockets, which explains the thinness of the line and the absence of a visible socket in the middle of the fixture. This is what distinguishes an R7S LED bulb from a classic screw bulb, and it is also why replacement is done by sliding laterally, never by pulling. To locate the other families, compare with the bulbs section where screw and bayonet bases coexist with linear ones.
R7S halogen bulb: why switch to LED
Linear halogen heats up strongly and consumes a lot for the light produced. The LED version uses the same format, so the same fixture, but stays warm to the touch and withstands repeated switching in a hallway or bathroom. The R7S LED bulb thus replaces without work, on a floor lamp as on a wall light. If you are also changing the fixture, the starting point remains all Designix fixtures.
What is the size of an R7S bulb: 78 mm or 118 mm?
The R7S bulb comes in two standard lengths, 78 mm and 118 mm, measured pins included. The two are not interchangeable: a support designed for 78 mm will not accommodate a 118 mm. The right method is to measure the bulb in place or the distance between the two sockets of the fixture.
R7S LED bulbs 118 mm: the fixtures concerned
This is the format of large linear fixtures: arm floor lamps, halogen living room ceiling lights, bathroom mirror strips, some outdoor floodlights. The 118 mm length gives more material to house the diodes, so often a brighter tube. Before ordering, check that the bulb will not hit the diffuser or the fixture grille.
R7S LED bulbs 78 mm: compact fixtures
The 78 mm equips short wall lights, small pencil lamps and small-section ceiling lights. A 78 mm in a 118 mm support will not hold: the pins will not reach the sockets. A 220 V LED bulb of this format is therefore chosen based on the actual measurement, not on the photo of the fixture.
| Length | Where you find it | What to measure | Mistake to avoid |
|---|---|---|---|
| 78 mm | Compact wall lights, pencil lamps, small ceiling lights | The length of the original bulb, pins included | Ordering a 118 mm for a short support |
| 118 mm | Floor lamps, halogen ceiling lights, strips and mirrors | The gap between the two sockets of the fixture | Relying only on the fixture name without measuring |
Powerful R7S LED bulb: what power and brightness to choose?
The power of an R7S LED cannot be compared watt for watt to that of the halogen it replaces: for equivalent lighting, an LED consumes much less. The reliable reference remains the luminous flux in lumens, indicated on the product sheet, which is compared to that of the original bulb before ordering.
R7S LED bulb 118 mm 300 W or 500 W: what are we really replacing?
These values of 300 W and 500 W describe the original halogen, not the LED that takes its place. A powerful R7S LED bulb displays an equivalence in lumens and a much lower consumption on its sheet: it is the equivalence that is read, never the wattage of the old bulb transposed as is. If a figure seems inconsistent on a sheet, trust the announced power and ignore the dubious flux.
Read the lumens on the sheet rather than the watts
A living room ceiling light and an accent wall light do not require the same amount of light. Compare the flux of the new bulb to that of the removed halogen: with a close flux, the lighting level is maintained. For a first overview of the range, browse all LED bulbs and read the sheets line by line.
| Criterion | R7S halogen bulb | R7S LED bulb |
|---|---|---|
| Heat emitted | High, the bulb burns on touch | Low, the bulb stays warm |
| Consumption at comparable flux | High | Significantly lower |
| Lifespan | Short, frequent replacement | Longer |
| Dimmer | Works with classic dimmers | Only if the sheet indicates dimmable |
Dimmable R7S LED bulb: how to check compatibility with a dimmer?
An R7S LED bulb is said to be dimmable when its product sheet explicitly indicates that it accepts a dimmer. This mention is essential: a non-dimmable LED placed behind a dimmer flickers or turns off. The fixture's dimmer must also be designed to drive LED loads.
Dimmable R7S LED bulbs: what must be written on the sheet
Look for the words dimmable or dimmer compatible, clearly, in the specifications. An R7S LED bulb without this mention cannot be dimmed, even if the fixture has a knob at the base. The dimmer-compatible bulbs section groups the references that carry this indication.
An old dimmer with an LED: the point to check
Many dimmers installed fifteen years ago were calculated for resistive loads, therefore for halogen. Behind an LED, they can hum, flicker or refuse to start below a certain threshold. Test after assembly, starting from the minimum position then gradually increasing, and check that the dimmer accepts LED loads. Other dimmer models exist for small bases, see E14 dimmable bulbs.
What color temperature to choose for an R7S LED bulb?
Color temperature is read in kelvins on the product sheet. A bulb around 2700 K gives a warm light, close to halogen; 3000 K remains warm but sharper. Beyond that, the light whitens and is better suited to a workshop or garage than to a living room.
As the tube remains visible in most of these fixtures, the rendering matters as much as the flux: an amber finish softens the light and dresses an open fixture. Compare 2700 K warm white bulbs with 3000 K bulbs, then look at amber glass bulbs and glass bulbs if the aesthetics of the tube matter to you.
In which fixture to install an R7S bulb: ceiling light, wall light or floor lamp?
The R7S bulb equips linear fixtures: halogen ceiling lights, wall lights, floor lamps, pencil lamps and mirror strips. It is chosen first for its length, then for the light rendering it gives, because the tube often remains visible in these open fixtures.
In a living room ceiling light or a wall light
On a living room ceiling light, the light must be frank without dazzling: a 118 mm with a sharp rendering does the job. On a living room LED wall light, the size matters more: check that the bulb does not protrude from the frame and that it does not cast a hot spot on the wall. The living room bulbs give a good overview of the available renderings.
In a floor lamp, a pencil lamp or a mirror strip
A floor lamp with a foot dimmer requires a dimmable LED, without exception. An R7S LED bulb is chosen at the original length, often 78 mm. On a mirror strip, avoid direct reflection: a more neutral light and a slightly diffusing glass limit glare. For outdoor use, turn to outdoor bulbs rather than an indoor R7S.
How to change an R7S bulb and make it last?
Cut the power and let cool before touching the bulb. An R7S is removed by sliding it laterally: its pins fit into spring sockets, never pull downwards. When reassembling, check that both pins are engaged before turning back on.
Remove and replace an R7S bulb without forcing
A lateral pressure on one of the two sockets is enough to release the tube. If the bulb resists, it is often because a spring is seized: do not insist at the risk of breaking the glass. Note the mounting direction before removing the old one, then engage the new one pin by pin.
What damages an R7S LED bulb
A completely closed fixture traps heat and shortens the life of the bulb, even LED. An unsuitable dimmer, loose contacts or excessive tightening on the glass are also among the causes of failure. If the fixture is not R7S, you must change the base: see E27 base bulbs and G9 bulbs for small fixtures.
How to choose between several R7S LED bulbs: the three checks?
Three checks are enough: the length measured on the original bulb, the flux in lumens compared to that of the replaced halogen, and the dimmable mention if the fixture is on a dimmer. Once these three points are validated, only the choice of light rendering remains, warm or more neutral.
If your fixture operates at low voltage, the R7S is not the right track: look instead at 12 V LED bulbs. And if you are redoing the entire lighting rather than a simple replacement, start from our selection of fixtures to match the support to the light.
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You know your length and your flux: find the available bulbs and order the corresponding reference.
Frequently asked questions about R7S LED bulbs
What is the size of the R7S bulb?
The R7S bulb is manufactured in two standard lengths: 78 mm and 118 mm, measured pins included. It has no screw thread, its two ends fit into spring sockets. To choose, measure the bulb in place or the gap between the fixture sockets.
What is the difference between an LED bulb and a normal bulb?
An LED bulb produces light with diodes: at comparable flux, it consumes less and heats much less than a filament or halogen bulb, and it lasts longer. In R7S, the format remains identical, which allows replacing the halogen without changing the fixture.
R7S LED bulbs 118 mm: how to know if it will fit in my fixture?
Measure the bulb in place, pins included, or the gap between the two sockets of the fixture. If you read 118 mm, order 118 mm: a 78 mm would be too short to hold, and the reverse does not fit. Also check that the bulb will not touch the diffuser.
Dimmable R7S LED bulbs: how to recognize a dimmer-compatible model?
The mention dimmable or dimmer compatible must be written in black and white on the product sheet. An R7S LED that does not carry this mention cannot be dimmed: behind a dimmer, it flickers or turns off. Also check that the fixture's dimmer accepts LED loads.
Can I replace a 300 W or 500 W R7S halogen bulb with an LED?
Yes, provided you compare luminous fluxes in lumens and not powers in watts. An R7S LED announces an equivalence on its sheet: it is this figure that indicates whether you recover the halogen's lighting. Also check the length and dimmer compatibility before ordering.
