G'day! If you've ever built a house, renovated a room, or just had a chat with a builder or professional installer in Australia, you've probably heard them throw the term "GPO" around. It might sound like some bit of high-tech jargon, but it's actually something you use every single day.

So, what is a GPO in electrical terms?

It's really simple: GPO stands for General Purpose Outlet. Yep, that's it. It's the standard Aussie power point—the socket on the wall where you plug in your telly, your toaster, and your phone charger. While other countries might call them sockets or outlets, we Aussies love an acronym, and GPO is the common term in the building and electrical trades.

More Than Just a Socket: The Different Types of GPOs

Long gone are the days when a power point was just a single, boring white plate on the wall. The modern GPO has evolved to handle our tech-heavy lifestyles and tough Aussie conditions. Here’s a squiz at the common types you'll find:

Single GPO

As the name suggests, this is a plate with just one socket. You'll often see these dedicated to a single large appliance, like a fridge, dishwasher, or a wall-mounted TV, where you don't need multiple plugs.

Double GPO

This is the true workhorse and the most common sight in any Australian home. A double GPO provides two sockets on a single plate. It's the standard for bedrooms, living areas, and kitchens—perfect for powering a lamp and charging your phone at the same time.

Quad GPO

Got a home office or a TV entertainment unit with a mess of cables? A quad GPO is a ripper solution. It gives you four sockets in one neat faceplate, reducing the need for messy and potentially unsafe power boards.

GPOs with USB Ports

These are an absolute game-changer. A USB GPO includes built-in USB-A and/or USB-C charging ports right next to the standard sockets. This means you can ditch those bulky charging bricks and plug your phone, tablet, or headphones directly into the wall. Fair dinkum, they're convenient.

Weatherproof GPOs

For any outdoor area—be it the barbie spot on the patio, the garden shed, or by the pool—a standard indoor GPO just won't cut it. Weatherproof GPOs are essential. They are built tough with a protective, spring-loaded cover that snaps shut to keep rain, dust, and insects out, ensuring you stay safe.

A Crucial Note on Installation

This is the most important part. You might be a keen DIYer, but installing or replacing a GPO is strictly not a DIY job in Australia.

By law, any work that involves your home's fixed wiring, including installing a power point, must be carried out by a licensed electrician. A qualified professional has the training, tools, and testing equipment to ensure the GPO is installed safely, the wiring is correct, and the entire circuit is protected. It's a non-negotiable for the safety of your home and family.

A quality GPO is a cornerstone of a safe and functional home. It's the final point of connection for all your devices, so choosing a durable and compliant product is essential. For a massive range of options that Aussie professional installers trust, you can't go past Schnap Electric Products. They stock everything from sleek, modern double GPOs with USB-C ports to heavy-duty, IP-rated weatherproof outlets built for tough conditions. Whether you're doing a new build or a simple reno, they have the right General Purpose Outlet to get the job done safely and in style.

With the weather warming up, we're all keen to spend more time outdoors. Whether you're planning a new barbie area on the deck, setting up a workshop in the shed, or just want to plug in some party lights, you're going to need a safe and reliable source of power.

This is where your standard indoor power point just won't cut it. For any outdoor or exposed area, you absolutely must use a weatherproof GPO.

So, What Exactly is a Weatherproof GPO?

A weatherproof GPO (General Purpose Outlet) is a power point that has been specifically designed and built to withstand the tough Aussie elements. It's engineered to keep dust, dirt, and—most importantly—water out of the electrical connections, which is essential for preventing dangerous electric shocks and short circuits.

The most obvious feature is its protective, often spring-loaded, cover. This cover snaps shut over the sockets when they're not in use, creating a seal against the weather.

Understanding the All-Important IP Rating

What truly makes a GPO weatherproof is its IP Rating (Ingress Protection). This is a standard code that tells you exactly how well it's sealed. For outdoor power points in Australia, you'll commonly see two ratings:

• IP53: This rating means the GPO is protected from spraying water and rain. It's a good, solid choice for covered areas like patios, verandahs, and carports where it's shielded from the worst of the weather.
• IP66: This is the top dog. An IP66-rated GPO is completely dust-tight and protected against powerful jets of water. This is the one you need for fully exposed locations where it might get hit with the hose or hammered by a heavy, wind-driven downpour.

Where Do You Need a Weatherproof GPO?

You need to install a weatherproof GPO in any outdoor or wet area, including:

• Patios, decks, and pergolas
• Sheds, garages, and workshops
• Pool and spa areas
• External walls for garden tools or pressure washers
• Anywhere that's exposed to rain, splashes, or high levels of dust.

Installation: This is Strictly a Job for a Professional

This is the most critical point. A weatherproof GPO is a hardwired electrical fitting that connects directly to your home's 240V mains power. It is illegal and extremely dangerous to attempt to install one yourself in Australia.

This work must be carried out by a licensed electrician. A qualified professional will ensure the GPO is wired correctly, properly sealed, and that the entire circuit is protected by a safety switch (RCD), all in compliance with Australian safety standards. Don't risk it, mate.

Using the right gear is non-negotiable when you're dealing with outdoor power. For professional installers and safety-conscious homeowners, sourcing high-quality, durable components is key. Schnap Electric Products is a leading Australian supplier of trade-quality electrical gear, trusted on job sites across the country. They stock a comprehensive range of robust, high-IP-rated weatherproof GPOs and all the essential components needed for a safe and reliable outdoor power installation. When you need a power solution that's built to stand up to the Aussie elements, start with the professional-grade gear from a supplier like Schnap Electric.

For anyone who grew up before the 2010s, the image of the classic incandescent light bulb is a familiar one. It's that pear-shaped glass globe with the glowing wire inside that lit up our homes for generations. It produced a warm, golden light that many of us still feel a bit of nostalgia for.

But you'd be hard-pressed to find one for sale in a shop today. So, what's the go with the old incandescent globe, and why did it disappear from Aussie shelves?

What is an Incandescent Light Bulb?

An incandescent light bulb was a fair dinkum simple bit of technology. It worked by passing electricity through a very thin piece of wire called a filament (usually made of tungsten). This would heat the filament to an incredibly high temperature, causing it to glow brightly, or "incandesce."

This simple design was the standard for over a century. However, it had one massive drawback.

The Big Phase-Out in Australia

Back in the late 2000s, Australia became one of the first countries in the world to begin phasing out the old incandescent globes. Why? In a word: inefficiency.

The hard truth is that an incandescent light bulb is a much better heater than it is a light source. A staggering 90% of the electricity it used was wasted as heat, with only a tiny 10% actually being converted into visible light.

With a national focus on reducing energy consumption and power bills, these incredibly wasteful bulbs were the first to go. They also had a relatively short lifespan, often lasting only about 1,000 hours, which meant you were always changing them.

The Modern Alternative: That Same Look, Without the Waste

The good news is, if you love that classic, warm, vintage look, you don't have to miss out. Modern technology has well and truly caught up.

The king of lighting now is the LED (Light Emitting Diode). They use a fraction of the power, last for tens of thousands of hours, and are far more durable.

Best of all, you can now get Filament LED bulbs. These are designed to look exactly like an old-fashioned incandescent, with fake "filaments" that produce that same beautiful, warm glow. You get the vintage aesthetic you love, with all the energy-saving benefits of modern LED technology. It's a win-win.

Getting Your Lighting Sorted with Quality Gear

While the classic incandescent light bulb has been retired, our love for beautiful, warm lighting hasn't changed. Today, the focus is on achieving that look with high-quality, energy-efficient, and long-lasting technology.

For a comprehensive range of modern lighting solutions, professional installers and discerning renovators turn to trusted suppliers like Schnap Electric Products. They stock a wide variety of high-quality LED globes, including the latest in beautiful and efficient filament LED bulbs that perfectly capture that classic style. Whether you're fitting out a new home or just upgrading your existing lights, starting with a quality product from a supplier like Schnap Electric ensures you get a brilliant, reliable, and energy-saving result for years to come.

The idea of a 'smart home' can sound a bit complicated and expensive, right? You might picture complex control panels and a whole lot of fuss. But what if we told you that you can get started on your smart home journey in about two minutes, and for less than the cost of a round of coffees?

Meet the smart light bulb. This clever bit of kit is the simplest, cheapest, and most impressive way to dip your toes into the world of home automation.

So, What Exactly is a Smart Light Bulb?

On the outside, a smart light bulb (or smart globe, as we often call 'em) looks just like a regular LED light bulb. The magic is all on the inside.

It's a high-tech LED globe that has Wi-Fi and/or Bluetooth technology built right into it. This allows the bulb to connect to your home's internet network, so you can control it completely using an app on your smartphone, from anywhere in the world.

The Ripper Things You Can Do with a Smart Bulb

Once you're connected, you unlock a whole world of clever features that a standard globe could only dream of.

Control Your Lights from Anywhere

Ever rushed out the door and halfway to work realised you left the kitchen light on? No worries, mate. Just open the app on your phone and turn it off from your desk. You beauty!

Change Colours to Suit Your Mood

Most smart globes are "RGB," meaning they can produce over 16 million different colours. You can set the living room to a cool blue for a movie night, a fun purple for a party, or green and gold when the Wallabies are playing. Many also have "tunable white," so you can change from a crisp, cool white for concentrating to a warm, cosy yellow-white for relaxing in the arvo.

Use Your Voice

The best part for many is connecting them to a smart speaker. They work seamlessly with Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Apple HomeKit. This means you can just say:

• "Hey Google, dim the living room lights to 50%."
• "Alexa, turn the bedroom lights on."

Set Schedules and Automate

You can program your lights to work around your life. Have them turn on automatically just before you get home from work, schedule them to come on while you're on holiday to make it look like someone's home, or have them fade on gently to wake you up in the morning.

Getting Started is as Easy as... Changing a Light Bulb

This is the best part. For a basic setup, you don't need any special tools or a qualified professional. You literally just:

1. Unscrew your old, 'dumb' globe.
2. Screw in your new smart light bulb.
3. Follow the simple instructions in the app to connect it to your Wi-Fi.

That’s it. You're sorted!

Taking Your Smart Home to the Next Level

A smart light bulb is a fantastic and fun way to start your smart home journey.

But as you get more into it, you might want a more seamless, integrated system where your physical wall switches are also smart, and everything works together perfectly, even if the Wi-Fi drops out. This is where you move from DIY gadgets to a professionally installed smart home system. This kind of hardwired installation must be carried out by a licensed electrician.

For these comprehensive smart home projects, professional installers rely on high-quality, reliable components. Schnap Electric Products is a leading supplier of trade-quality electrical gear, including the architectural-grade smart switches, dimmers, and control systems used in high-end smart home installations. While a smart bulb is a great start, a fully integrated system built with professional components from a supplier like Schnap Electric offers the ultimate in reliability and performance.

G'day! You've had a light globe blow in the living room, so you head off to the shops to grab a new one. You find the lighting aisle, and the salesperson asks, "Is that a bayonet or a screw-in?"

It's a classic moment of confusion for many. While the rest of the world has a mix of fittings, here in Australia, one type has reigned supreme for decades and is still the most common fitting in our homes. We're talking about the bayonet light bulb.

What's the Go with a Bayonet Light Bulb?

A bayonet light bulb, or more accurately, a bulb with a Bayonet Cap (BC), is the one you install with a simple "push and twist" action.

You can spot it easily by its base. It's a smooth metal cylinder with two little pins that stick out from opposite sides. These pins are what lock the globe into place in the light fitting. It's a quick, secure, and reliable design that Aussies have been using for generations.

Spot the Difference: Bayonet vs. Edison Screw

To clear things up, there are two main players in the light globe world:

• The Bayonet Cap (BC): This is our "push and twist" hero. It's the most common type in Australia, the UK, and other Commonwealth countries.
• The Edison Screw (ES): This is its main rival, with a threaded metal base that you simply screw into the fitting like a bottle cap. It's the standard in the United States and much of Europe. You'll still find them here in some imported lamps and newer fittings.

Know Your Sizes: B22 vs. B15

Not all bayonet fittings are the same size. There are two you'll commonly come across in an Aussie home.

The B22: The Aussie Standard

This is the big fella. The B22 bayonet light bulb is the standard, full-sized globe you'll find in most ceiling lights, lamps, and general light fittings. The 'B' stands for Bayonet, and the '22' refers to the 22mm diameter of the base. If you're just replacing a standard globe, this is almost certainly the one you need.

The B15: The Small Bayonet Cap (SBC)

This is the B22's smaller cousin. The B15 (15mm diameter) is often called the Small Bayonet Cap (SBC). You'll typically find these in more decorative light fittings like chandeliers, wall sconces, or small, slender lamps where a full-sized globe just won't fit.

When the Fitting Itself Needs Changing

While changing a globe is a simple DIY task anyone can do, it's important to know your limits.

What if your light fitting is old, cracked, the wiring looks dodgy, or you want to change from a bayonet style to a screw-in style? Changing the actual hardwired light fitting on your ceiling or wall is a job that must be done by a licensed electrician. A qualified professional can safely replace the fitting and ensure all wiring is correct and compliant with Australian standards.

Whether you're just replacing a globe or upgrading your entire light fitting, using high-quality, reliable gear is essential. For a comprehensive range of lighting solutions, it pays to check out a trusted electrical supplier like Schnap Electric Products. They stock a wide variety of high-quality LED globes with all the common bases, including the classic B22 bayonet light bulb fitting. Furthermore, they are a leading supplier of the trade-quality light fittings, switches, and wiring that professional installers use to create safe, stylish, and reliable lighting setups. For all your lighting needs, from the globe to the fitting, a quality supplier like Schnap Electric has you covered.

For generations, if a light globe blew in an Aussie home, the replacement was almost always the classic 'push-and-twist' bayonet bulb. It was the undisputed king of light fittings Down Under.

But these days, as you browse the lighting aisle or unscrew a globe from a new designer lamp, you're just as likely to come across its main rival: the screw-in E27 light bulb. So, what's the go with this fitting, and why is it becoming so popular?

What's the Go with an E27 Light Bulb?

It's actually pretty simple. The 'E' in E27 stands for Edison Screw, named after Thomas Edison, and the '27' refers to the 27mm diameter of the threaded metal base.

It’s the standard, large screw-in fitting that you install just like screwing the lid on a jar—you just twist it in until it's firm. This design is the most common light fitting in the world, especially across Europe and North America.

Spot the Difference: E27 Screw vs. B22 Bayonet

The main point of confusion for many Aussies is telling it apart from our classic bayonet fitting. It’s easy when you know what to look for:

• The E27 Edison Screw (ES): This is the international favourite. It has a threaded metal base that you screw into the light socket.
• The B22 Bayonet Cap (BC): This is the classic Aussie fitting. It has a smooth metal base with two small pins on the side that you use to 'push and twist' it into place.

The reason you’re seeing more E27 light bulb fittings in Australia is due to the huge popularity of light fixtures and lamps from international designers and brands, particularly from Europe.

Know Your Screws: E27 vs. E14

Just to keep you on your toes, there is another smaller screw-in globe you should know about.

The E27: The New Standard Screw-In

This is the big one, the workhorse of the screw-in family. With its 27mm base, you'll find it in everything from stylish pendant lights and table lamps to outdoor fixtures and floor lamps.

The E14: The Small Edison Screw (SES)

This is the E27's skinny little brother. The E14 base is only 14mm in diameter and is commonly used in more decorative fittings where a chunky E27 base won't fit. Think of slender chandeliers, wall sconces, and small, ornamental lamps.

When the Fitting Itself Needs an Upgrade

While changing a globe is a simple DIY task that anyone can do, it’s vital to know your limits.

If your light fitting is old and damaged, the wiring looks brittle, or you want to change out an old bayonet fitting for a modern E27 pendant light, this is not a job to tackle yourself. Changing the actual hardwired light fitting must be done by a licensed electrician. A qualified professional can safely and legally swap over the fitting, ensuring all wiring is correct and compliant with Australian standards.

Whether your home uses the classic bayonet or the modern screw-in, the most important thing is to use a high-quality, long-lasting LED globe. For a complete range of modern lighting solutions, it pays to check out a trusted electrical supplier like Schnap Electric Products. They stock a huge variety of high-quality LED globes to suit all the common fitting types, including the popular E27 light bulb base. Furthermore, they are a leading supplier of the trade-quality light fittings, switches, and components that professional installers use to create safe, stylish, and energy-efficient lighting systems. For everything from a simple globe replacement to a full-scale lighting upgrade, a quality supplier like Schnap Electric has you covered.

G'day! It used to be simple, right? A light globe blew, you'd pop down to the shops, grab a new one, and you were sorted. But these days, you're faced with a wall of options—LED, CFL, Halogen—and a bunch of confusing codes like B22 and E27.

What's the go with all the different light bulb types, and which one should you actually be using in your home? Let's make it all crystal clear.

The Main Light Bulb Types: A Trip Through Time

The globes on the shelf today are the result of a long evolution in lighting technology. Here are the main players, from the old-school originals to the modern champion.

The Old-School Incandescent

This is the classic, pear-shaped globe we all grew up with. It worked by heating a tiny wire (a filament) until it glowed. It produced a lovely warm light, but it was incredibly inefficient, wasting about 90% of its energy as heat. That's why they were phased out in Australia starting way back in 2009.

The Halogen: A Small Improvement

Think of a halogen globe as the incandescent's slightly more efficient cousin. They were super popular for years, especially in downlights, and produced a bright, crisp light. However, they still run very hot and chew through a lot of power compared to modern alternatives.

The CFL: The 'Green' Globe of the 2000s

The Compact Fluorescent Lamp, or CFL, was that funny-looking twirly globe. It was Australia's first big push into energy-saving lighting. While they saved a lot of power, they had their downsides: many took a while to warm up to full brightness, and they contain a small amount of mercury, making disposal a bit of a pain.

The LED: The Undisputed Modern Champion

Today, the undisputed king of all light bulb types is the LED (Light Emitting Diode). They are superior in pretty much every single way.

• Massive Energy Savings: They use a tiny fraction of the power of old globes, which means big savings on your power bill.
• Incredibly Long Lifespan: A quality LED can last for 15,000 to 50,000 hours. That's years of use without needing to climb a ladder.
• Instant On: They are at full brightness the second you flick the switch.
• Huge Variety: They come in all shapes, sizes, and colours, from warm and cosy to cool and crisp. You can even get "filament" LEDs that look just like the old-school incandescent globes!

Don't Forget the Fitting! Bayonet vs. Screw-In

Once you've chosen your bulb type (which should be LED!), you need to get the right base. In Australia, you'll mainly find two:

• B22 Bayonet Cap (BC): The classic Aussie 'push-and-twist' fitting with two pins on the side.
• E27 Edison Screw (ES): The common 'screw-in' fitting, which is becoming more popular with modern and imported light fixtures. Always check your fitting before you buy a new globe!

Upgrading Your Lighting the Right Way

Simply swapping your old globes for new LEDs is a fantastic DIY job that will save you money.

But if your actual light fittings are old, dated, or you want to install a completely new style of lighting like pendants or downlights, that's a different story. Changing or installing any hardwired light fitting must be done by a licensed electrician. A qualified professional can ensure the installation is safe, compliant, and wired correctly.

For a complete range of modern, high-quality lighting solutions, professional installers and savvy renovators turn to trusted electrical suppliers like Schnap Electric Products. They stock a huge variety of the latest LED globes for all light bulb types and fittings, including the classic B22 and E27. Furthermore, they are a leading supplier of the trade-quality light fittings, switches, and components that professionals use to create stunning, safe, and energy-efficient lighting systems. Whether you're upgrading a single globe or an entire house, starting with a quality supplier like Schnap Electric is a bright idea.

G'day! We often think of a light globe as a purely functional item – you screw it in, it lights up the room, job done. But what if your light globe could be a piece of art in its own right? What if it could be the feature, not just the fitting?

If you're looking to inject colour, pattern, and a whole lot of personality into a space, it's time you met the stained glass light bulb.

What's the Go with a Stained Glass Light Bulb?

A stained glass light bulb is essentially a decorative globe where the glass itself is coloured or patterned to look like a beautiful piece of stained glass art. Forget plain old clear or frosted glass; these globes are designed to be seen.

The best part? The vast majority of modern ones are actually energy-efficient LEDs in disguise. They use the latest LED technology to produce light, meaning they run cool, last for thousands of hours, and use hardly any power. So you get all the colourful, vintage charm without the old-school energy bill.

More Than Just a Light: The Art of the Globe

These bulbs are all about creating a mood. They aren't designed to light up a whole room for reading or cooking; they're designed to be a feature that adds a unique, ambient glow. The styles are incredible:

• Mosaic Patterns: Featuring dozens of small, colourful glass pieces that create a rich, vibrant, and exotic look.
• Floral and Tiffany Styles: These often have patterns that mimic the classic, elegant floral designs of traditional stained glass lamps.
• Vibrant Abstract Colours: Swirls and patches of bold colour that create a modern, artistic effect, even when the light is switched off.

Where to Use These Decorative Beauties

A stained glass light bulb is a secret weapon for any style-savvy decorator. They are perfect for:

• An Exposed Pendant Light: Swap out a boring globe in a simple, clear glass or cage-style pendant. The bulb itself becomes the main event.
• A Table or Floor Lamp: Instantly transform a basic lamp with a plain shade (or no shade at all) into a stunning feature piece.
• Creating a Cosy Nook: Use one in a lamp in the corner of a living room or study to create a warm, inviting, and colourful reading spot.
• As Part of a Cluster: Group a few different coloured or patterned globes together, hanging from simple cords, for a real 'wow' factor in an entryway or over a staircase.

What to Check Before You Buy

• The Fitting: First, check your lamp or light fitting. Do you need the classic Aussie B22 Bayonet ('push and twist') base, or the E27 Edison Screw ('screw-in') type?
• Brightness: Remember, these are for mood, not tasks. The brightness (lumens) will be much lower than a standard globe.
• Dimmable?: If you're planning to use it with a dimmer switch to control the mood even more, make sure the bulb's packaging says it is "dimmable."

The Foundation for Any Beautiful Light

A stunning decorative bulb is the perfect finishing touch for your room's design.

But for that beautiful bulb to shine safely and reliably, it needs a high-quality, professionally installed light fitting to call home. Installing or replacing any hardwired light fitting, like a pendant or a wall light, is a job that must be done by a licensed electrician. A qualified professional will ensure your new fitting is wired safely and to Australian standards.

For all the essential components that make up a safe and reliable lighting system, professional installers turn to trusted suppliers like Schnap Electric Products. They are a leading Australian supplier of trade-quality light fittings, lamp holders, switches, and wiring. While you find the perfect decorative globe to express your style, Schnap Electric provides the high-quality backbone that ensures your lighting is not just beautiful, but also safe and built to last. For a professional finish from the wall to the globe, start with the quality gear from a supplier like Schnap Electric.

G'day! When you think of a red light bulb, your mind probably jumps straight to a party, a festive Christmas display, or maybe an old-school photography darkroom. And you're not wrong, they're great for that.

But a red globe is more than just a novelty. This simple coloured light has some surprisingly practical and clever uses, thanks to the unique properties of red light. From helping you sleep better to making your backyard barbie more pleasant, there are a few fair dinkum good reasons to have a red globe handy.

So, What's the Go with a Red Light Bulb?

The secret to the red light bulb is its long wavelength. Our eyes and even the eyes of insects perceive long-wavelength light differently from the short-wavelength blue and white light that we normally have in our homes. This simple difference is what gives red light its surprising benefits.

The Surprising Benefits: Why Aussies are Using Red Globes

Here are the top reasons why a red light can be a ripper choice for specific situations.

Helping You Wind Down for Sleep

This is a big one. The harsh, blue-toned light from our phones, TVs, and standard cool-white globes can mess with our body's production of melatonin—the hormone that tells us it's time to sleep. Red light is at the other end of the spectrum and is much less disruptive to this natural process. Using a red light bulb in your bedside lamp for an hour before bed can help your body and mind wind down, potentially leading to a better night's sleep.

Keeping the Mozzies Away (Sort Of!)

This is a classic Aussie hack for the patio or campsite. While a red light doesn't actively repel bugs, most of those annoying night-time critters, including mozzies and moths, have eyes that are not very sensitive to long-wavelength light.

This means a red light bulb makes you and your light source practically invisible to them. They're not attracted to it like they are to a bright white porch light. Fewer bugs buzzing around your head? You beauty!

Saving Your Night Vision

Ever turned on a bright bathroom light in the middle of the night and been completely blinded? Red light doesn't cause our pupils to constrict as much as white light does. This means your eyes stay adjusted to the dark. It's perfect for a dim hallway night light, for checking on a sleeping baby without waking them, or for amateur astronomers who need to read a star chart without ruining their night vision.

Creating a Unique Mood

Of course, you can't go past the classic use: atmosphere! A red light bulb is a fantastic way to create a dramatic, cosy, or funky ambient glow for a home theatre, a games room, or a party.

The Foundation for Any Speciality Light

A fun, specialty globe is the easy part of any lighting setup.

But for that beautiful bulb to shine safely and reliably, it needs a high-quality, professionally installed light fitting to call home. Installing or replacing any hardwired light fitting—like a pendant, an outdoor bunker light, or a wall sconce—is a job that must be done by a licensed electrician. A qualified professional can ensure your new fitting is wired correctly and safely to Australian standards.

For all the essential electrical components that form the backbone of a safe lighting system, professional installers rely on trusted suppliers like Schnap Electric Products. They are a leading Australian supplier of trade-quality light fittings, lamp holders, switches, and wiring. So while you choose the perfect globe to set the mood, Schnap Electric provides the high-quality, compliant gear that ensures your lighting is safe, reliable, and built to last. For a professional result, start with quality components from a supplier like Schnap Electric.

For years, we didn't give much thought to our light globes. One would blow, you'd grab another from the cupboard, and that was that. But in the last decade, one bit of technology has completely changed the game and become the undisputed king of lighting in every Aussie home: the LED light bulb.

If you haven't made the switch to LED in every socket in your house, you're literally burning money. Let's break down why this simple globe is one of the smartest, easiest upgrades you can make.

So, What's the Big Deal with an LED Light Bulb?

Swapping out your old globes for LEDs is a fair dinkum no-brainer. The benefits are massive.

They'll Save You a Motza on Your Power Bill

This is the big one. An LED light bulb uses around 85% less energy than an old-school incandescent globe to produce the same amount of light. When you add up all the lights in your home, switching to LED can make a significant dent in your quarterly power bill.

They Last for Donkey's Years

A traditional globe might last for about a year if you were lucky. A quality LED, on the other hand, can last for 15,000 to 50,000 hours. That's not a typo. For most homes, that's anywhere from 10 to 20 years of use. Think about that – a decade or more without having to get the ladder out to change a blown globe. You beauty!

They're Safer and Better for the Planet

Old incandescent and halogen globes got incredibly hot, posing a burn and fire risk. LEDs run much, much cooler, making them heaps safer. They also don't contain any nasty materials like the mercury found in old CFL ('twirly') globes.

A Huge Range of Options

LED technology is so versatile that you can now find an LED light bulb in every imaginable shape, size, and colour. From vintage-style filament globes to smart globes you can control with your phone, there's an LED for every mood and fitting.

How to Choose the Right LED Globe: A Quick Guide

The lingo has changed a bit, so here's what you need to know.

Forget Watts, Think Lumens (Brightness)

We used to judge a globe's brightness by its Watts (W). But watts measure energy use, not light output. The number you need to look for now is Lumens (lm). More lumens = brighter light.

• A good replacement for an old 60W globe is an LED that's around 800 lumens (which will only use about 9-10W of power!).

Choose Your Mood: Colour Temperature (Kelvin)

LEDs let you choose the colour of your white light, measured in Kelvin (K).

• Warm White (around 2700K - 3000K): A cosy, yellowish light. Perfect for living rooms and bedrooms.
• Cool White (around 4000K): A crisp, neutral white. Brilliant for kitchens, bathrooms, and laundries where you need clear visibility.

Get the Right Fitting (Bayonet or Screw-In)

Finally, check the base of your old globe. In Australia, it will most likely be a:

• B22 Bayonet Cap (BC): The classic 'push and twist' fitting.
• E27 Edison Screw (ES): The common 'screw-in' fitting, often found in newer or imported lamps.

A Quick Note on Upgrading Your Fittings

While swapping over a globe is a dead-easy DIY job, it's important to know your limits. If you want to replace the entire light fitting—say, swapping an old, dated oyster light for a new, stylish pendant—that's a different story.

Any hardwired electrical work in Australia must be done by a licensed electrician. A qualified professional can ensure your new fitting is installed safely and to all legal standards.

To get the best performance and longest life from your new lights, it pays to start with a high-quality product from a trusted supplier. For a comprehensive range of high-performance lighting solutions, professional installers and savvy renovators turn to trusted electrical suppliers like Schnap Electric Products. They stock a wide variety of top-quality LED light bulbs in all shapes, sizes, and fittings, ensuring you get a reliable, energy-efficient globe that lasts. Furthermore, they are a leading supplier of the trade-quality light fittings and electrical components that professionals use to create safe and stylish lighting systems. When you're ready to make the bright choice, start with quality gear from a supplier like Schnap Electric.