[Explained] What Is a 2-Way Bulb?
A 2-way lamp requires a 2-way bulb, socket, and switch. With an incandescent lamp, each filament operates at full voltage, so the light color does not change between different light levels. A few compact fluorescent lamp bulbs have extra contact and circuitry to match 2-way incandescent bulbs. Recently, LED 2 way bulbs have become increasingly popular.
How Does a 2-way Bulb Work?
Using two-way bulbs and sockets together, you can choose between two levels of light output–lumens–from a single light source. The result is that they usually reside next to a favorite chair in a bedroom as bedside lamps or floor lamps. Desk lamps or table lamps are also valuable.
There are two filaments in a 2-way bulb. You can see the two filaments when one burns out (for example, wrap it in a towel and tap it lightly with a hammer). A 50-watt filament comes on for the lowest setting. The second filament (a 100-watt filament) comes on.
2-Way Bulbs With Variable Output:
People typically use 2-way bulbs in areas where they spend a lot of time doing various activities, like their living rooms or dens. Medium-level lighting is often best for reading print material. Watching TV or using a backlit screen may require a lower level.
When you use a 2-way bulb in a 2-way socket, you have those options at your fingertips. With a screw base bulb (E26), you can produce two light levels with either 30/70/100 watts or 50/100/150 watts.
It is possible to use a PS25 bulb with a Mogul screw base (E39) on some floor lamps with bowl-shaped shades. The light is thrown onto walls and ceilings using 100/200/300 watts.
2-Way Bulbs: How They Work:
A screw base 2-way light bulb or socket supplies power to a low-wattage element or filament. Next, it will send power to the middle-wattage element (70W, 100W, 200W) simultaneously to both. Because of this, the highest wattage for an incandescent 2-way light bulb comes from the sum of its two lower wattages.
A 2-way LED light bulb receives and applies power similar to a regular light bulb due to how the sockets work. However, there is sometimes a discrepancy between the wattage of different technologies. The socket and bulb base contain two contacts for achieving variable output.
Its outer threaded base connects to the neutral conductor of the power supply at the bulb end. Towards the end of the base is the contact for the ungrounded conductor. Flip a light bulb over to see them. A screw-base light bulb typically has a single metal contact in the center, separated by an insulating material (usually glass). You can see the hot power contact there.
In 2-way screw base bulbs, the center contact is the same as in regular light bulbs. Most of the time, it’s a small hole in the middle of the base. That’s where the middle-wattage element gets its power. There are several insulating rings before you get to the threaded shell. The second contact is that isolated metal ring. Here, the low-wattage element in the light bulb receives power.
There is a central contact in every screw base socket to match the one on every screw base bulb. The second contact in 2-way socket powers the ring-shaped contact on the base of a 2-way bulb. There’s a small tab on one side of the socket, halfway between the center contact and the shell.
The Benefits of 2-Way Bulbs:
60 WATT REPLACEMENT: With both 60 Watt (15W equivalent) and 8 Watt (1.5W equivalent) nightlight settings, the Bluefire Lighting A19 LED bulb offers bright illumination from both directions.
DIMMER IS NOT NEEDED: With the Bluefire Lighting LED Bulb, you can choose between two different light settings using your existing switch. Changing from Full Brightness to Nightlight is as easy as switching the setting.
SAVE TIME AND MONEY: It eliminates the hassle of finding the perfect AC outlet for its installation, and you don’t need to buy an additional nightlight. You will not hear any buzzing. There is no need to wait for it to warm up.
What is The Best Way to Wire 2 Way Light Bulb Switches?
It is possible to make a 2-way switch connection in two ways: by using a 2-wire control and a 3-wire control. Here is a video we provided that shows both methods.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Turn a 2-Way Switch Into 1 Way?
You can efficiently operate a two-way switch as a one-way switch. As far as I know, two-way switches have two sets of contacts and a common one, but otherwise, they differ from one-way switches. It is simple to omit the second contact and the second switch.
What is The Difference Between a 2-Way and a 3-Way Bulb?
A three-way switch works similarly to a two-way switch. However, there is one crucial difference between a 2-Way and a 3-Way Bulb. It is common to use three-way switches in conjunction with each other. They can interrupt the electrical flow from a different part of the room and shut off the light.
Can I Use A 3-Way Bulb in A 2-Way Lamp?
It is safe to use it as a single-watt bulb. If the filament fails, you can still use a low-wattage bulb in a three-way or a standard fixture. Using filament bulbs over 100 watts is not possible in three-way fixtures.
Conclusion,
The universal E26 screw base of this LED 2-way light bulb makes it compatible with most lamp fixtures, including desk lamps, desk tables, floor lamps, pendant lamps, and harp lamps. Depending on your needs, you can switch between general lighting, concentrated task lighting, and relaxed mood lighting. Using this bulb requires pairing with a 2-Way dimming lamp socket, which is not compatible with dimmers or conventional switches (shows only 800lm brightness).
