Are 168 And 194 Bulbs The Same?
We can tell that you’re here because of either the question — Are 168 And 194 Bulbs The Same? — or a question similar to that.
The good news is, we’ve got you covered if you’ve been among those trying to figure out whether the 168 and 194 bulbs are the same or not. Are 168 And 194 Bulbs The Same?
Are 168 And 194 Bulbs The Same?
The 168 bulb is obviously a brighter bulb because it’s a higher wattage bulb than the 194. The both of them are the same in size. If you’re in search of aftermarket bulbs, you’ll see them on websites that show 194/168 wedge or some similar type.
Let’s look at words from a forum user — Albertj — concerning these two bulb types:
The 168 is brighter, a little. used sometimes as side marker as well as interior illumination lights such as in our cars, the lights for the driver and passenger footwells. 194 is not so bright, used in many cars as instrument and indicator light in cases where the 161 is not used. (…keep reading!) neutral
If I remember right they interchange with the W5W (euro spec five watt = 168 4.9 watt or so) and the W3W (euro spec 3 watt = 194 3.78 watt or so). The 161, by the way, is only 2.66 watt. idea
Thing to watch for is the brighter bulbs throw out more heat and so might not be good for some application substitutions. Subbing a brighter bulb probably would not hurt those footwell lights, as long as they are not running for long time. But could be a problem in instrument cluster, where a brighter bulb might increase eyestrain (brighter than neighbor bulbs) or melt the plastics. nono
Albertj
What Is A Bulb Wedge Base? (Example: 194, 168, etc)
A wedge base is a type of electrical connector used as a fitting for small light bulbs. It is similar to the bi-pin connector, except that the two “pins” are the same wires that extend into the bulb (rather than being rigid), and the wires are bent up onto the sides of the base, where they make contact with the socket.
The wires are usually inserted into a plastic base that the bulb is mounted in, and which is often narrower at the tip than at the bulb, giving it a wedge shape and usually ensuring a tight connection, depending on manufacturing tolerances.
Some bulbs have no plastic base, and the wires are simply bent up to the sides of the bulb’s glass base.
Credit: Wikipedia
Types Of Bulbs
1. LED Bulb
People who have used the LED lighting can speak of how energy-efficient it is.
The LED bulb isn’t an affordable one — but in terms of usage, it’s inexpensive. The heat they release is very little, and it’s quite difficult for them to break.
Are you asking if they have any risk of starting a fire? Well, LED bulbs have a lower risk of causing a fire.
You can’t, at all times, dim them — and sometimes, they don’t produce the same quality or amount of bright white light just like what the incandescent bulbs create, but if what you’re in search of is solid light output, then picking the LED light bulb might just be that perfect choice for you.
2. Fluorescent Lamps
As for the fluorescent bulbs, they’re — as compared to the incandescent bulbs — more complex.
Right inside a fluorescent tube, what happens is: the electric current passes between the cathodes, causing excitement for mercury and the other available gases which are contained inside, radiating energy.
On the outside, there’s a coating called the “phosphorous coating,” this coating converts radiant energy into visible light. The fluorescent lamps make use of very little energy in the production of the same amount of light — and an amazing thing about them is, they have what it takes to last longer.
As a result of the mercury filling, these are quite a herculean task when it comes to disposing of.
Related:
- Are 100w Headlights Legal?
- Can I Use 100w Bulb Instead Of 55W?
- How Do I Know If My Headlights Are Halogen Or Xenon?
3. Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL)
Based on the fluorescent lamps’ principle, the CFL uses less power to produce the same amount of light. It comprises multiple tubular loops that are filled with what we’ve already mentioned, mercury — and looks just like the incandescent bulb.
In comparison to incandescent bulbs, CFLs are built to last for up to 1000 hours — and they’re not only more energy-efficient, but they also have higher luminous efficiency.
What makes it difficult for them to dispose of is the mercury in the loops.
4. Halogen Lamps
Halogen lamps are known to be the improved version of incandescent bulbs in which a filament — tungsten filament precisely — is wrapped with an envelope, a compact transparent envelope.
You might be wondering, where did this bulb get its name from? Well, it derived its name from the filling of a little amount of halogen using an inert gas.
The role of inert gas is, it increases the lifespan and brightness of the bulb — and this leads to higher luminous efficiency.
Just like incandescent bulbs, in terms of size, these lamps are, as well, smaller.
5. Light Emitting Diode (LED)
Owing to a variety of light colors and their energy efficiency, LED bulbs are gaining popularity really fast. LED is known as a semiconductor device in which the available electricity is applied to the negatively charged diode — and this results in the release of photons and the flow of electrons.
When the photons are combined, light is emitted from the diode. A LED bulb comprises multiple diodes, giving out the needed amount of light. Since they’re a semiconductor, the LEDs are pretty high-energy efficient — and another amazing thing about them is, they can make use of less energy to produce brighter light.
A LED has what it takes to emit colored light without, at any point, using color filters.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How Many Watts Is A 168 Bulb?
4.9 watts
#168 – 4.9 watt – . 35 amp – 14 volt – T3. 25 – Wedge Base
Are All 194 Bulbs The Same?
As a matter of fact, they all come with the same base. All of them are manufactured using the same incandescent filament.
There’s just one difference, and that difference is simply the wattage. Depending on the exact number attached to the bulb — 194 versus 168 — what that does is to be in charge of dictating the amount of wattage that the bulb draws.
The more wattage is drawn by the bulb, the more it gets bright.
What Is A 194 Bulb Used For?
The 194 bulbs are designed and built to be durable, low maintenance and they provide enhanced safety.
These lamps are just the perfect fit for various automotive applications including backup lights, brake lights, turn lights, parking lights, and interior lights.
What Light Bulb Is Smaller Than A 194?
The T10/921 is a bigger bulb designed for more light output. The 194/168 is a smaller bulb, that gives less output.
How Long Does A 194 Bulb Get?
So an LED bulb with a heat sink temperature of even 90°C (194°F) could comfortably have an electronics temperature of 60°C-80°C (140°F-176°F), both well under the temperature rating for the electronics components.
How Hot Are LED Light Bulbs?
You’ll only feel the hotness of LED light bulbs when you touch it — but bulbs, such as the Halogen, Incandescent, and the CFL bulbs, are much hotter than them [LED light bulbs].
People have known LED light bulbs to be one of the most efficient and latest lighting technology.
Lighting LEDs — the high-powered lighting LEDs — generate their light at a pretty lower running temperature than the hot filament used in the bulbs of the previous generation.
The LED light bulb’s outside surface, like the hottest outside surface, is often up to half the temperature of an equivalent brightness Incandescent or Halogen bulb, and around 20% cooler than CFL bulbs.
Should I Touch My Led Lights When It’s On?
You should be aware that the diffuser is what you should use in handling LED light bulbs.
You may want to know, “what’s the diffuser?’ Well, it’s basically the plastic dome that the light shines out of.
When it is hot or lit, under no circumstances should you try to handle or touch LED light bulbs by the heat sink.
Heat sinks on LED light bulbs are designed to get hot, drawing the heat out of the LEDs and transferring the heat into the air — and also take note that it’s the hottest part.
What Is Standard Light Bulb Size?
E26
Light Bulb Base Types
The most common is the E26 base. This is what is on most screw-in-home light bulbs, regardless of what technology (Incandescent, LED, Fluorescent, etc.) they are. The 26 just stands for how many millimeters wide the base is, which converts to just over an inch.
Are 168 And 194 Bulbs The Same – Conclusion
As a recap of the response we gave to the question — Are 168 And 194 Bulbs The Same? — we stated that:
The 168 bulb is obviously a brighter bulb because it’s a higher wattage bulb than the 194. The both of them are the same in size. If you’re in search of aftermarket bulbs, you’ll see them on websites that show 194/168 wedge or some similar type.
Thanks for reading.
Joe lives and breathes cars and trucks. After many years working in the Auto industry, he decided that it is only right to share his knowledge with the public. As a qualified expert in trucks and cars, he started working for Truckile.com and is the main editor and publisher.