What are LED Corn Bulbs and How to Choose the Right One?
LED corn bulbs are unique light bulbs designed to resemble corn on the cob, with rows of LED chips arranged along the tube. They are ideal replacements for HID lamps and metal halide bulbs, often used in large-scale and high-brightness lighting applications like street lighting, parking lots, and high bay lighting.
These bulbs are compatible with standard E27/B22 or E40 sockets but offer significantly more brightness compared to regular metal halide or incandescent household bulbs.
What Are LED Corn Bulbs?
LED corn bulbs get their name from their design, which resembles a corn cob with rows of square light diodes arranged around the tube. These bulbs contain individual LED chips that can range from just a few to thousands, depending on the bulb’s style, wattage, and size. Each LED typically uses between 0.1 watts and 3 watts.
Designed as replacements for HID lamps and metal halide bulbs, LED corn bulbs are ideal for large-scale lighting applications such as parking lots, streetlights, and high bay lighting. However, they can also be used for smaller spaces around homes and businesses.
How Does an LED Corn Light Bulb Work?
An LED corn light bulb is a type of LED light bulb featuring numerous small LED chips arranged around the circumference of a cylindrical base. The name comes from the bulb’s resemblance to an ear of corn. These LED chips emit light in all directions, creating a 360-degree lighting effect that evenly illuminates large spaces.
An LED corn light bulb operates using a driver that converts household current to the appropriate level for the LED chips. The driver is located in the centre of the bulb and may include a fan to keep the bulb cool and extend its lifespan. LED corn light bulbs can fit into standard E27/B22 sockets or larger mogul E40 bases, depending on their size and wattage. It’s important to select the correct base type for your fixture.
LED corn light bulbs offer several advantages over traditional light bulbs like incandescent or fluorescent options. They are highly energy-efficient, using less power to produce the same amount of light. They are also very durable, with a lifespan of up to 50,000 hours or more, compared to around 1,000 hours for incandescent bulbs or 10,000 hours for fluorescent bulbs. Additionally, they provide superior colour quality, with a high colour rendering index (CRI) that accurately shows the true colours of objects. Furthermore, they are environmentally friendly, containing no harmful substances such as mercury or lead, making them safer for both your health and the environment.
What is a Ballast Bypass, and Do I Need to Do It for a Corn Light Bulb?
A ballast bypass involves removing or bypassing the ballast in a lighting fixture and connecting the LED lights directly to the power source. A ballast is a device that regulates the flow of electricity in circuits, such as those for fluorescent or metal halide light bulbs. These types of bulbs require a high initial voltage to start and a lower constant voltage to operate, which the ballast provides.
However, LED lights do not require a ballast, as they come with their own driver. A driver is an electronic device that adjusts the power input to the correct level for the LED lights. Drivers can also offer features like dimming, colour changing, or motion sensing.
If you’re switching from incandescent bulbs, you won’t need to do a ballast bypass, as incandescent bulbs do not use a ballast. However, if you’re replacing fluorescent or metal halide bulbs with LED lights, a ballast bypass will be necessary. This process involves disconnecting the wires between the ballast, the power source, and the bulb sockets, then directly wiring the LED lights to the power source.
A ballast bypass ensures that your LED lights function properly and efficiently. While it’s not a particularly complex task, it does require some electrical knowledge and skills. Always ensure the power is switched off before working on electrical wiring, and use appropriate tools and safety gear. If unsure, it’s best to consult a licensed electrician.
Why Are LED Corn Bulbs So Popular?
The popularity of LED light bulbs has grown significantly in recent years, and LED corn bulbs are a standout choice due to their many benefits over HID lamps and metal halide bulbs, including:
Easy Installation: LED corn bulbs are compatible with standard lighting fixtures and sockets without needing a ballast or transformer. They are plug-and-play, allowing you to simply screw them in and turn them on.
Bright and Clear Light: LED corn bulbs produce more lumens (light output) per watt (energy input) compared to HID lamps and metal halide bulbs. This provides brighter, clearer light while using less energy. With a high Colour Rendering Index (CRI) above 80 Ra, these bulbs display the true colours of illuminated objects.
Long Lifespan and Low Maintenance: LED corn bulbs can last up to 100,000 hours—five times longer than the 20,000-hour lifespan of HID lamps and metal halide bulbs. This durability reduces replacement costs and environmental waste. Additionally, they have minimal lumen depreciation, maintaining their brightness and quality over time. They generate less heat and are free from harmful substances like mercury or lead, making them safer and more environmentally friendly.
These advantages make LED corn bulbs a smart and sustainable lighting choice for a variety of applications.
How to Choose the Right Amount of Lumens for the LED Corn Light
When buying the LED corn light, it’s important to consider lumens, which measure the light output of the bulb. Lumens are different from watts, which measure the energy consumption of the bulb. While watts were once used to estimate brightness, LEDs are far more efficient, making lumens a better indicator of brightness.
For reference:
A 60-watt incandescent bulb is equivalent to about 800 lumens.
A 75-watt incandescent bulb is roughly 1,000 lumens.
For outdoor security lighting, select bulbs with 2,500–6,000 lumens for smaller spaces and higher lumens for larger or commercial spaces. To replace metal halide bulbs, use a lumen conversion chart to choose the correct LED bulb.
How to Choose the Right LED Replacement Corn Bulb for Metal Halide
When replacing HID or metal halide bulbs with LEDs, consider the lumen output (brightness) and wattage of the LED. LEDs are more energy-efficient and longer-lasting than metal halides, which lose up to 75% of their brightness over five years.
Here’s a guide for selecting LED replacements based on metal halide wattage:
1500-watt metal halide: Use at least 60,000 lumens of LED light. For lower installations, choose a 500-watt LED fixture, or for higher installations, opt for a 500-watt stadium light.
1000-watt metal halide: Choose at least 40,000 lumens. A 300-watt LED bulb, fixture, or retrofit kit is suitable, but avoid using 300-watt bulbs in enclosed fixtures—use a dedicated fixture instead.
400-watt metal halide: Select between 12,000–18,000 lumens. Options include 100-watt, 120-watt, or 150-watt LED corn bulbs, all of which are common replacements.
\250-watt metal halide: Opt for 9,000–12,000 lumens. Popular choices include 80-watt LED corn bulbs or 100-watt bulbs for added brightness.
150-175 watt metal halide: Look for 7,000–9,600 lumens. A 60-watt or 80-watt LED corn bulb is ideal.
75-125 watt metal halide: Choose 4,000–8,000 lumens. A 40-watt or 60-watt LED corn bulb is the best fit.
What is the LED Equivalent of a 400-Watt Metal Halide?
To replace a 400-watt metal halide bulb, we recommend an LED producing 13,000–20,000 lumens. Metal halides start off bright but lose up to 70% of their output over time. A new 18,000-lumen LED bulb or fixture will feel as bright as a 400-watt metal halide after 6 months, while a 13,000-lumen LED bulb will match the output of a 5-year-old metal halide bulb.
How to Choose the Right Kelvin Colour for an LED Corn Bulb?
LED corn bulbs come in different Colour temperatures, measured in kelvins (K). The Colour temperature affects the appearance and mood of the light. Here are the differences between the common Colour temperatures for LED corn bulbs:
• 3000K LED Bulbs: This Colour temperature produces a warm white light that is best suited for homes and restaurants. It creates a cozy and relaxing environment.
• 4500K LED Bulbs: This Colour temperature produces a natural white light that is great for offices and other work areas. It provides a clear and bright illumination.
• 6000K LED Bulbs: This Colour temperature produces a cool white light that has a bluish tint to it. It is ideal for attracting attention in gas stations or signage, but should be used with caution. That is also great for large spaces and outdoors. It mimics daylight and enhances visibility.
LED EXPO Australia Has Your LED Corn Bulbs
LED Corn Bulbs from LED EXPO Australia offer the efficiency, performance, and sustainability that modern facilities demand. We’re here to help you find the perfect lighting solutions tailored to your needs. Contact us today for expert advice, request a free quote, or browse our selection of high-quality LED Corn Bulbs and take the first step toward a brighter future.