What does 12v 36w mean on a bulb?

In summary, a 36 watt bulb will consume 3 amps when connected to a 12 volt power supply. If the bulb is connected to a 24 volt power supply, it will consume 72 watts.
  • #1
fatoomch
8
0
Dumb question, I know.

But what exactly does it mean? Does it mean 36watts is what a bulb will consume at 12v?.. And does '12v' mean that the bulb will only work at 12v. What if you connect the bulb to a 24v supply?

Please excuse my ignorance.
 
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  • #2
At 24V it will glow much brighter, and for a much shorter time.


BTW, a 36w bulb with 12v will pass 3A. That's huge. This must be in a car.
 
  • #3
Yes, your bulb will draw 36 Watts (or Joules per second) when connected to a 12V power supply.
 
  • #4
ok thanks... so when it states '12v' it just means this bulb will work best (last longer) and is specifically designed for a 12v supply?

...And if it IS connected to 24v supply it will consume 72watts of power?
 
  • #5
It's designed for 12V. It will probably burn itself out very rapidly if you double the voltage, as you'd be subjecting its filament to four times as much heat dissipation.

Power goes up with the square of the voltage (or the square of the current):

[itex]P = I^2 R = \frac{V^2}{R}[/itex]

If you double the voltage, you quadruple the power consumed.

- Warren
 
  • #6
However, reality is not always this simple. One of the phenomena explored in a later chapter is that of conductor resistance changing with temperature. In an incandescent lamp (the kind employing the principle of electric current heating a thin filament of wire to the point that it glows white-hot), the resistance of the filament wire will increase dramatically as it warms from room temperature to operating temperature. If we were to increase the supply voltage in a real lamp circuit, the resulting increase in current would cause the filament to increase temperature, which would in turn increase its resistance, thus preventing further increases in current without further increases in battery voltage.

http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/vol_1/chpt_2/5.html"
 
Last edited by a moderator:

1. What does the voltage rating of 12v mean on a bulb?

The voltage rating of 12v on a bulb refers to the amount of electrical potential difference required for the bulb to function properly. In simpler terms, it is the amount of energy needed to power the bulb.

2. How does the wattage of 36w affect the brightness of a bulb?

The wattage of a bulb, in this case 36w, is directly related to its brightness. The higher the wattage, the brighter the bulb will be. This is because wattage measures the rate of energy consumption, and a higher wattage means more energy is being used to produce light.

3. Can a bulb with a voltage rating of 12v be used in any socket?

No, a bulb with a voltage rating of 12v is not compatible with all sockets. It is important to check the specifications of the socket before using a bulb to ensure that the voltage and wattage ratings match.

4. What is the difference between 12v and 36v bulbs?

The main difference between 12v and 36v bulbs is the amount of energy required to power them. 12v bulbs require less energy and are typically used in low voltage applications, while 36v bulbs require more energy and are typically used in high voltage applications.

5. Can a 12v 36w bulb be used in place of a 36v 12w bulb?

No, a 12v 36w bulb cannot be used in place of a 36v 12w bulb. The voltage and wattage ratings must match in order for the bulb to function properly. Using a bulb with mismatched ratings can lead to damage or malfunction.

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