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Vintage & Filament Bulbs

Filament bulbs use LED filaments behind clear or frosted glass to give the look of a traditional incandescent lamp with the efficiency of LED: the CLD4ABCC, for example, gives 485 lumens from 4W and replaces a 40W incandescent lamp. The range has candle, golf ball and GLS filament lamps from Energizer and Knightsbridge in B22, E27 and E14 caps, every one rated at 2700K, with dimmable and non-dimmable versions.

Choosing Vintage & Filament Bulbs

Choose the cap first, then the shape and light output, and finally whether the lamp has to work on a dimmer.

Caps

B22 (BC) is a bayonet cap, while E27 (ES) and E14 (SES) are screw caps. B22 examples are the CLD4ABCC, S12855 and S12851; E27 examples are the CLD4AESC, GBD4AESC, S12852 and S29786; and E14 examples are the CLD4ASESC, CLD4ASESO, GBD4ASESC and S12856.

Candle and golf ball lamps

The Knightsbridge CLD4ABCC, CLD4AESC and CLD4ASESC are clear 4W candles giving 485 lumens and replace a 40W incandescent lamp; the CLD4ASESO is a frosted E14 candle at 470 lumens. The CLD4ABCC suits chandeliers, wall sconces and decorative fixtures, with a 15,000 hour lifespan. Energizer candles include the 4W S12868 and S12870 at 470lm, the 5W S12855 at 470lm, and the 5W S12856 and S29786 at 550lm. For a rounder shape, the GBD4AESC and GBD4ASESC are clear golf ball lamps giving 490 lumens from 4W.

GLS lamps for whole-room light

The Energizer S12851 and S12852 give 806lm from 7W as a 60W incandescent replacement, and the S12857 and S12858 give 1,060lm from 8W as a 75W replacement, each with a 320° beam. The S12851 and S12852 suit pendants and table or floor lamps, and the S12857 and S12858 suit ceiling pendants and drum shades.

Dimming

The dimmable Energizer lamps, such as the S12855, S12856, S12851, S12852 and S29786, are used with an LED-compatible dimmer, while the S12868, S12870, S12857 and S12858 are non-dimmable. The Knightsbridge filament lamps are dimmable; the CLD4ABCC, CLD4AESC, CLD4ASESO, GBD4AESC and GBD4ASESC are compatible with most trailing edge dimmers, so check your dimmer before fitting.

LampShape and capOutputDimmable
CLD4ABCCClear candle, B22485lm, 4WYes
CLD4ASESOFrosted candle, E14470lm, 4WYes
GBD4AESCClear golf ball, E27490lm, 4WYes
S12856Candle, E14550lm, 5WYes
S12852GLS, E27806lm, 7WYes
S12857GLS, B221,060lm, 8WNo

Related categories

Fit them in pendant lights or browse indoor lighting, LED bulbs and spotlights and downlights. See also Knightsbridge and Energizer products.

Brands we stock in Vintage & Filament Bulbs

Energizer and Knightsbridge.

Frequently asked questions

What are antique filament bulbs?

Antique filament bulbs are decorative lamps styled on early electric bulbs, with clear or tinted glass that shows the glowing filaments inside. They suit pendants, exposed fittings and period interiors. Modern versions often use LED filaments, which keep the warm vintage glow while using far less energy. The range here includes LED filament candle, golf ball and GLS lamps.

What is a filament bulb?

A filament bulb is a lamp whose light comes from visible filament strands inside the glass. Today the term usually means an LED filament bulb, which uses thin LED strips shaped like old wire filaments and comes with a standard bayonet or Edison screw cap. Check whether a lamp is dimmable before using it with a dimmer switch, as some versions are not.

  • Established 1975
  • Birmingham trade counter
  • UK-only supply

Written by the West Midlands Electrics technical team

Updated

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