The Ultimate Guide to LED Spotlight Bulbs: PAR20, PAR30, PAR38

July 16, 2021

What exactly are LED PAR Spotlight bulbs and what are they used for?  We will break it down for you below:

First, let us start with a quick review about LED.  The most common and current type of lighting is “light-emitting diode,” or LED.  When an electrical current pass through, this semiconductor light source emits light through these LEDs and the result is visible light.  They are known for their durability and energy efficiency!

Moving on to the lesser-known abbreviation, PAR. PAR stands for “parabolic aluminized reflector.”  These lamps offer strong, focused, and narrow directional beam of light.  These bulbs are available in various sizes, most commonly between PAR20 to PAR38.

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Bulb Shape	Bulb Size
PAR20	3.50" x 2.50"
PAR30 Short	3.50" x 3.75"
PAR30 Long	4.50" x 3.75"
PAR38	5.00" x 4.75"

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Fun Fact: You may be wondering what the 20-38 sizes after PAR mean, it is the diameter measured in eighths of an inch. So, 2.5-inch diameter means the light is 20 eights of an inch. Yes…weird.

And finally Spotlight, the easy one, is simply a bulb that creates a strong beam of light to focus attention to a specific spot.

What draws people into this type of lighting is often the simplicity of the design, flexibility, and low-cost.  Most LED PAR Spotlight bulbs are between 30-45 degree beam angles.  The popular uses – focusing on object(s) across the room, on a wall, and/or on a surface area.  They are great for implementing into a gallery, department store, museum, or retail store.  PARs are also a great solution for security lights.  Their lightweight and low-cost design makes them perfect for traveling performers or business events.  You can often find PAR bulbs used in stage lighting and theatrical settings.

Candex offers four different forms of LED PAR Spotlights, which ranges in size from PAR20 to PAR38. Available color temperatures from 2700K-5000K.  All Candex LED PAR Spotlights are ETL listed and comply with CEC Title-24 JA8.  They also boast a life span up to 25,000 hours, rated for damp locations, and are dimmable. You can easily apply Candex PAR bulbs to your lighting project.

PAR 20

PAR20 bulbs are most often used for interior lighting fixtures.  Recommended when redesigning your kitchen, highlighting smaller artwork, single shelf presentation, product display in retail, etc.

Explore PAR20

 

PAR 30 Long & Short

PAR30 bulbs are ideal for track lighting fixtures and recessed can applications.  PAR30 bulbs are great for larger rooms where multiple light fixtures are being used.  Short neck PAR30 bulbs are more common for tracking lighting while long neck PAR30 bulbs are useful for recessed cans.

Explore PAR30

 

PAR 38

PAR38 BULBS are primarily used for outdoor lighting.  PAR38 bulbs can be used as general flood and safety lights.  Since these are available in with higher wattage options amongst the PAR series, PAR38 bulbs are perfect when light is required to reach farther, such as two-story ceilings or outdoor fixtures for instance.

Explore PAR38

Color Temperature  (CCT)

2700K-3500K (Warm White/Soft White) If you are looking for a warm and inviting glow for theaters, hotels, or residential; anywhere you could see yourself relaxing.

3500K-4000K (Cool/Neutral) The soft white light produced from this color range is ideal for retail stores and offices.

4000K-6000K (Bright/Blueish White) Emits a bright white light, some may call it blueish, that is perfect for lighting up spaces that require concentration like hospitals, workspaces, or warehouses.

It does not matter what kind of lightning design project you are working on, Candex is here to help make you and your customers happy! If you need help deciding on the perfect fixture for your space, reach out to us! We would be delighted to help shed some light!

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