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enter image description here

This bulb is found inside a fancy light fixture, I haven’t seen one before and it doesn’t have any markings on it. I need to order replacements.

More images showing the context of where I found this bulb.

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    Looks like B pin lamp base 9G
    – bummi
    Jan 8, 2019 at 20:26
  • The kind where you should go buy a fixture that doesn't take those stupid bulbs. My favorite part is the arcing noise they make when you have to wiggle them to work.
    – Mazura
    Jan 10, 2019 at 2:28

2 Answers 2

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It's a "G9" base Halogen bulb.

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    Just to add: If you use a G9 base halogen (instead of a G9 base LED substitute), be sure not to touch the glass, as the fingerprint may lead to uneven heating and subsequently cracking of the glass, which is a fire hazard. To replace the bulb, place a cloth between your bulb and your fingers.
    – henning
    Jan 9, 2019 at 14:02
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    You can wipe the bulb with alcohol to remove any residue from touching it.
    – Jonathon Reinhart
    Jan 10, 2019 at 3:39
  • @henning TIL the reason - I always knew never to touch these bulbs but never knew why.
    – Muzer
    Jan 10, 2019 at 12:12
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It's a halogen (identified by mike65535 as a G9). You'll want to find voltage and wattage markings for compatibility. Using bulbs with too high of a wattage rating can create a fire hazard.

Look for LED alternatives for energy savings.

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    i like LEDs are much as anyone, but i don't think they would save much energy replacing halogens. We use halogen mainly for reading lights (which LEDs aren't great at yet) and for decoration, which is usually lower wattage than primary illumination. If you have a ton of them it adds up, but for a few one-offs, the impact isn't dramatic.
    – dandavis
    Jan 8, 2019 at 20:26
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    You might be surprised. The 50w equivalent uses 5w. As someone whose descendants will roam this planet for quite a few decades yet, I believe it's worth doing.
    – isherwood
    Jan 8, 2019 at 20:37
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    @isherwood We had two light fixtures in our living/seating room - each had 10 of these halogen G9's, 10W each, that is, a total of 200W when all lights are on. I replace them with LEDs, which are 3W each. Total energy consumption is down from 200W to 60W - over three times.
    – Aleks G
    Jan 9, 2019 at 11:29
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    Actually, a G9 socket is most commonly used with mains rated bulbs. So a direct replacement is not a problem. If the socket is dimmed on the other hand, the dimmer is probably not rated for LED-dimming and the bulbs would flicker badly and maybe even not work at all except for at full power.
    – Christian Wattengård
    Jan 9, 2019 at 13:59
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    It's actually both. Dimmers that are designed for LEDs have different circuitry.
    – isherwood
    Jan 9, 2019 at 15:42

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