Lamp or Bulb: What do you call the object that you screw into a socket?

[Stevareno]

I have co-workers in a debate on what to properly call a light emitting apparatus.

One co-worker says lamp. The other co-worker says "No, a lamp is what sits on your desk, what you mean is bulb".

What say you?

 

[the blur]

technically it's called a LAMP. Ask sylvania what a bulb is, they won't know. however, 99% of the population calls it a bulb, so when you walk into home depot, you need to ask for a bulb, otherwise you'll end up in the desk lamp dept.

 

[iwire]

Bulb is a shape, the common incandescent lamp is bulb shaped.

 

[jumper]

Lamps. I plant tulip bulbs.

 

[Stevareno]

technically it's called a LAMP. Ask sylvania what a bulb is, they won't know.

Dang it! Now I need to go edit my other thread. :slaphead:

however, 99% of the population calls it a bulb, so when you walk into home depot, you need to ask for a bulb, otherwise you'll end up in the desk lamp dept.

Whew! Now I don't feel so bad. :ashamed1:

 

[zbang]

Lamp, the bulb is the outer part. Had an old theatrical electrician that, when asked for a bulb, would say "Do you want the filament and base, too?" And to muddy the waters, the film industry calls it a globe.

 

[charlie b]

I have long maintained that professionals in any walk of life need to take care to separate the language of their profession from common conversational English. "Lamp" fits the first description; "bulb" fits the second. Neither term is wrong! You just need to recognize which language you are speaking, when you use either term.

 

[Besoeker]

I have co-workers in a debate on what to properly call a light emitting apparatus.

One co-worker says lamp. The other co-worker says "No, a lamp is what sits on your desk, what you mean is bulb".

What say you?

Lamps, light bulbs, whatever you want to call them are mostly bayonet cap here.
Screwing is something else..........

 

[tom baker]

I have long maintained that professionals in any walk of life need to take care to separate the language of their profession from common conversational English. "Lamp" fits the first description; "bulb" fits the second. Neither term is wrong! You just need to recognize which language you are speaking, when you use either term.

Right! If I went to the wholesale house and asked for a roll of 12 AWG conductor, with some trade size 1/2 EMT, to connect to a luminaire, they would be baffled.

But it is important to use electrician language when discussing code issues we get into trouble when asking the size of a ground wire.

 

[marti smith]

And to muddy the waters.

 

[K8MHZ]

I have co-workers in a debate on what to properly call a light emitting apparatus.

One co-worker says lamp. The other co-worker says "No, a lamp is what sits on your desk, what you mean is bulb".

What say you?

Most of the last ones were CFL's.

What does the genie come out of, a lamp or a bulb?

So, what about bulb shaped CFL's ?

What about a fuse? They will screw into a socket and for a short time, emit light.

 

[Sierrasparky]

Lamps. I plant tulip bulbs.

I say the same. Lamp is for light bulbs you plant in the ground.

 

[readydave8]

I have long maintained that professionals in any walk of life need to take care to separate the language of their profession from common conversational English. "Lamp" fits the first description; "bulb" fits the second. Neither term is wrong! You just need to recognize which language you are speaking, when you use either term.

I think the same way, the main goal is to be understood , I use one term at supply house and the other with customer, so could not vote in poll as there was no "both" option.

 

[jeremysterling]

I think the same way, the main goal is to be understood , I use one term at supply house and the other with customer, so could not vote in poll as there was no "both" option.

Yes, you should always ask customers if they happen to have a replacement bulb, unless, of course, you are requiring a tube.

 

[ActionDave]

View attachment 6281

This pic reminds me of a joke.

How many mice does it take to screw in a light bulb?

Only two, but I have no idea how they get in there.

 

[Open Neutral]

Decades ago, when I interviewed at Nela Park, I was told in no uncertain terms that THEY manufactured lamps; bulbs were things for growing tulips.

Those lamps were in envelopes that their machinery formed.

(Nela Park made lamps but more importantly, folks there invented & built lamp-making machinery & processes.)

 

[mike7330]

I vote for lamp! but I"ll get what ever you call it.