Comparing Light Output of 60W Type A and Type B Incandescent Light Bulbs

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A 60W Type A incandescent bulb does not produce significantly more light than a 60W Type B bulb, with any differences being negligible due to geometric effects and filament resistance variations. Light output is primarily influenced by the current raised to the fourth power, making minor filament shape and temperature differences less impactful. There is some confusion regarding the relationship between power output and current, with a clarification that power scales with temperature to the fourth power, while heat generation follows Joule's law. The discussion also raises the need for a rating mechanism in forums to identify the best answers. Overall, the consensus is that light output between the two bulb types is effectively similar.
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Does a 60W Type A (general service) incandescent light bulb put out more light than a 60W Type B (candelabra torpedo) incandescent light bulb?
 
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Not noticably
There might be slight geometric effects from the distance the filament is from the base an the solid angle that is blocked but compared to the variation in output from tiny changes in the filament resistance these are negligible.
Remember light output is proportional to the current^4 so variations in this dominate
 
I agree that there shouldn't be any noticeable difference given similar filament shape and temperature between the bulbs, but shouldn't that be current2? The power (light) output would scale with T4, but that power should be coming from joule heating of the filament (I2R).
 
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Ok, thanks.

These answers seem reasonable. While I'm not sure I would know a correct answer if I saw one, shouldn't this forum have a mechanism by which I can rate the answers? Many forums these days allow the author of a thread to specify one of the replies as a "best answer" to reward the person that provided the most precise/through reply.

With Respect,

FuzzMan53
 

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