Socket

The socket is the fitting for a replaceable lamp. It is located in or on the luminaire or light and holds the base of the lamp.

Whilst the base is part of the lamp, the socket forms its matching counterpart. It holds the inserted lamp in the intended position and, depending on the design, also establishes or enables the electrical connection to the power supply.

Correct fit between base and socket

The base and socket must fit together both mechanically and electrically. Their design determines, amongst other things, how the light source is inserted, positioned, made to contact the socket and, where necessary, locked in place.

The correct positioning of the light source within the optical system is particularly important in the case of lights. A specifically designed combination of base and socket helps to ensure that the light source is situated in the position specified by the design in relation to the reflector, lens or other optical elements.

In the case of permanently integrated LEDs, however, a conventional socket for a replaceable light source is often not present. The LEDs may, for example, be mounted directly onto a printed circuit board and form part of a complete lighting module.