What does the E40 socket mean and what size is it?

The E40 socket is the largest Edison screw thread and measures exactly 40 millimetres in outer diameter, which is where its name comes from – "E" for Edison and "40" for the diameter in millimetres. It is internationally known as the Giant Edison Screw (GES) or Goliath thread, named after inventor Thomas Alva Edison. The E40 socket was designed to carry high-wattage discharge lamps and is far larger than the common E27 and E14 household threads. Today it is used mainly for powerful E40 LED lamps in halls, stages, street and area lighting.

What is the difference between E40 and E27 sockets?

The difference between E40 and E27 sockets lies in size and application. The E40 socket has a 40 mm outer diameter and is the Giant Edison Screw built for high-output lighting of 30 W and above, delivering up to 20,000 lumens in halls, on stages and in street lighting. The E27 socket has a 27 mm diameter and is the classic domestic light-bulb thread for lamps of roughly 5–25 W. An E40 lamp will not fit an E27 fitting and vice versa, but an E40-to-E27 adapter lets you use a smaller E27 lamp in an E40 socket where lower output is sufficient.

What wattage E40 LED replaces a 400-watt metal halide lamp?

An E40 LED lamp of roughly 100 to 150 watts replaces a 400-watt metal halide lamp while delivering equivalent or greater brightness. These E40 LED lamps typically produce between 15,000 and 20,000 lumens, matching the output of the old discharge lamp at a fraction of the energy cost. The exact wattage depends on the lumen output and beam angle you need for your mounting height. Because the E40 thread is standardised, the LED lamp fits the existing fitting directly – but the old ballast must first be bypassed or removed.

What E40 LED replaces a 400 W discharge lamp equivalent?

To replace a 400 W discharge lamp equivalent, choose an E40 LED lamp in the 100 to 150 watt class producing around 15,000 to 20,000 lumens. This covers the high-output range once served by 400 W metal halide, mercury vapour (HQL) and high-pressure sodium lamps in high bays, street lamps and large area lighting. The E40 LED lamp offers up to 80 % energy savings, instant full brightness with no warm-up, and a lifespan of up to 50,000 hours. Remember to bypass the existing ballast, as the E40 LED lamp uses an integrated LED driver on 230 V mains.

What is the typical lumen output for E40 LED bulbs?

The typical lumen output for E40 LED bulbs ranges from about 8,000 lumens up to 20,000 lumens and beyond, with some high-output models reaching around 27,000 lumens. A compact 30–50 W E40 LED lamp delivers roughly 8,000–10,000 lumens, while a powerful 100–150 W model produces 15,000–20,000 lumens. Because brightness is measured in lumens rather than watts, you should always match the lumen figure to your mounting height and area. This high lumen output is exactly why E40 LED lamps are used in halls, on stages and for street and area lighting.

Do E40 LED bulbs need a ballast bypass?

Yes, in most cases E40 LED bulbs need a ballast bypass. The discharge lamps that traditionally used the E40 socket relied on an external ballast to operate, but an E40 LED lamp has an integrated LED driver and does not need this control gear. If the old ballast remains in circuit, it can damage the LED driver, so it must be bypassed or removed before installation. E40 LED lamps are then wired directly to 230 V mains, with some international models accepting an 85–265 V range. Always have this rewiring carried out by a qualified electrician.

Can I use E40 LED bulbs without rewiring my existing fixtures?

Whether you can use E40 LED bulbs without rewiring depends on your existing fixtures. Because the E40 thread is standardised worldwide, the physical swap is a simple 1:1 exchange. However, if the fixture still contains an active ballast from an old discharge lamp, you cannot simply screw in the LED lamp – the ballast must first be bypassed or removed to protect the integrated LED driver. Only in fittings that already run at direct 230 V mains can you fit an E40 LED lamp without electrical work. When in doubt, have an electrician check the wiring first.

Are E40 LED bulbs suitable for outdoor street lighting?

Yes, E40 LED bulbs are highly suitable for outdoor street lighting when you choose a weatherproof model rated IP65. This protection rating makes the lamp fully dust-tight and resistant to jets of water from any direction, so it withstands rain, dust and temperature swings. A single E40 LED street lamp of around 80–150 W delivers strong, even illumination and can run for roughly 50,000 hours – about 17 years at eight hours per night – with virtually no maintenance. Wide beam angles up to 360° ensure even coverage across roads, pathways and car parks.

How long do E40 LED bulbs last compared to discharge lamps?

E40 LED bulbs last considerably longer than the discharge lamps they replace. A quality E40 LED lamp reaches a service life of up to 50,000 hours, whereas traditional metal halide, mercury vapour (HQL) and high-pressure sodium lamps typically manage only around 6,000 to 15,000 hours. This longer lifespan drastically reduces maintenance call-outs and replacement costs, which is especially valuable in high bays, street lamps and other hard-to-reach installations. Combined with up to 80 % energy savings and instant full brightness, the extended life of E40 LED lamps makes them a cost-effective upgrade for professional lighting.

LED Lamps socket E40

Top seller

LEDVANCE NAV LED GLÜHFADEN V 7000LM 41W 727 E40

LEDVANCE NAV LED FILAMENT V 7000LM 41W 727 E40

€28.29 *

incl. tax, plus shipping costs

Product data sheet

Express delivery possible

Availability:

Delivery time: 1-3 days

Delivery time: 1-3 days

LEDVANCE HQL LED GLÜHFADEN V 6000LM 38W 840 E40

LEDVANCE HQL LED FILAMENT V 6000LM 38W 840 E40

€28.20 *

incl. tax, plus shipping costs

Product data sheet

Express delivery possible

Availability:

Delivery time: 1-3 days

Delivery time: 1-3 days

LEDVANCE HQL LED P 13000LM 90W 840 E40

€82.90 *

incl. tax, free shipping to Germany
[International shipping costs]

Product data sheet

Availability:

Currently not available;
Article is coming soon

Currently not available

LEDVANCE NAV LED GLÜHFADEN V 7500LM 41W 740 E40

LEDVANCE NAV LED FILAMENT V 7500LM 41W 740 E40

€30.16 *

incl. tax, plus shipping costs

Product data sheet

Express delivery possible

Availability:

Low stock; Delivery time: 1-3 days

Delivery time: 1-3 days

LEDVANCE HQL LED GLÜHFADEN V 9000LM 60W 840 E40

LEDVANCE HQL LED FILAMENT V 9000LM 60W 840 E40

€51.67 *

incl. tax, plus shipping costs

Product data sheet

Express delivery possible

Availability:

Low stock; Delivery time: 1-3 days

Delivery time: 1-3 days

LEDVANCE HQL LED P 11700LM 90W 827 E40

€93.26 *

incl. tax, free shipping to Germany
[International shipping costs]

Product data sheet

Availability:

Not in stock
Delivery time: approx. 2 weeks

Delivery time: approx. 2 weeks

LEDVANCE HQL LED GLÜHFADEN V 5400LM 38W 827 E40

LEDVANCE HQL LED FILAMENT V 5400LM 38W 827 E40

€28.60 *

incl. tax, plus shipping costs

Product data sheet

Availability:

Currently not available

36 Articles

Filter

2 From 2 pages

No results were found for the filter!

PHILIPS CorePro - LED HID SON-T - LED-Lampe/Multi-LED - Leistungsaufnahme: 45 W - Energieeffizienz

PHILIPS CorePro - LED HID SON-T - LED-lamp/Multi-LED - Power Consumption: 45 W - Energy Efficiency

PHILIPS CorePro - LED HID SON-T - LED-lamp/Multi-LED - Power Consumption: 45 W - Energy Efficiency The Philips CorePro LED HID SON-T lamps offer you an easy, short-payback LED solution to replace...

€117.45 *

incl. tax, free shipping to Germany
[International shipping costs]

Availability:

Delivery time: approx. 2-3 weeks

Delivery time: approx. 2-3 weeks

PHILIPS CorePro - LED HID SON-T - LED-Lampe/Multi-LED - Leistungsaufnahme: 49 W - Energieeffizienz

PHILIPS CorePro - LED HID SON-T - LED-lamp/Multi-LED - Power Consumption: 49 W - Energy Efficiency

PHILIPS CorePro - LED HID SON-T - LED-lamp/Multi-LED - Power Consumption: 49 W - Energy Efficiency The Philips CorePro LED HID SON-T lamps offer you an easy, short-payback LED solution to replace...

€117.45 *

incl. tax, free shipping to Germany
[International shipping costs]

Availability:

Delivery time: approx. 2-3 weeks

Delivery time: approx. 2-3 weeks

PHILIPS CorePro - LED HID SON-T - LED-lamp/Multi-LED - Power Consumption: 45 W - Energy Efficiency

PHILIPS CorePro - LED HID SON-T - LED-lamp/Multi-LED - Power Consumption: 45 W - Energy Efficiency The Philips CorePro LED HID SON-T lamps offer you an easy, short-payback LED solution to replace...

€117.45 *

incl. tax, free shipping to Germany
[International shipping costs]

Availability:

Delivery time: approx. 2-3 weeks

Delivery time: approx. 2-3 weeks

LEDVANCE NAV 100 LED-FILAMENT LICHTQUELLE GELB V 3200LM 30W 718 E40

LEDVANCE NAV 100 LED FILAMENT AMBER V 3200LM 30W 718 E40

LEDVANCE NAV 100 LED FILAMENT AMBER V 3200LM 30W 718 E40 product advantages Support the protection of wildlife thanks to reduced blue light • Contribution to improving the quality of life of...

€29.52 *

incl. tax, plus shipping costs

Product data sheet

Availability:

Delivery time: approx. 2-3 weeks

Delivery time: approx. 2-3 weeks

Osram HID LED Highbay Universal P 21000 LM 150W 840 E40

LEDVANCE HID LED Highbay Universal P 21000 LM 150W 840 E40

Direct replacement for traditional HID lamps thanks to CCG and ignitor compatibility • Operation on AC mains for highest energy efficiency possible • Energy savings of up to 68 % when...

€109.89 *

incl. tax, free shipping to Germany
[International shipping costs]

Product data sheet

Availability:

Currently not available;
Article is coming soon

Currently not available

LEDVANCE HQL LED P 5400LM 41W 827 E40

LED replacement for HQL lamps in demanding outdoor applications. Product features: Replacement for HQL: Suitable for operation with conventional control gear (CCG) for HQL or 230 V mains...

€60.16 *

incl. tax, plus shipping costs

Product data sheet

Availability:

Not in stock
Delivery time: approx. 2 weeks

Delivery time: approx. 2 weeks

LEDVANCE HQL LED P 6000LM 41W 840 E40

LED replacement for HQL lamps in demanding outdoor applications. Product features: Replacement for HQL: Suitable for operation with conventional control gear (CCG) for HQL or 230 V mains...

€62.40 *

incl. tax, plus shipping costs

Product data sheet

Availability:

Not in stock
Delivery time: approx. 2 weeks

Delivery time: approx. 2 weeks

LEDVANCE HQL LED P 11700LM 90W 827 E40

LED replacement for HQL lamps in demanding outdoor applications. Product features: Replacement for HQL: Suitable for operation with conventional control gear (CCG) for HQL or 230 V mains...

€93.26 *

incl. tax, free shipping to Germany
[International shipping costs]

Product data sheet

Availability:

Not in stock
Delivery time: approx. 2 weeks

Delivery time: approx. 2 weeks

LEDVANCE HQL LED FILAMENT V 5400LM 38W 827 E40

LED replacement for HQL lamps in design-oriented outdoor applications. Product features: Replacement for HQL: Suitable for operation with conventional control gear (CCG) for HQL or 230 V mains...

€28.60 *

incl. tax, plus shipping costs

Product data sheet

Availability:

Currently not available

Details

LEDVANCE HID LED Hochregal Universal P 14000 LM 105W 840 E40

LEDVANCE HID LED Highbay Universal P 14000 LM 105W 840 E40

LED replacement for HID lamps for high-bay luminaires. Product features: Type of protection: IP40 • High surge protection: up to 4 kV (L-N) • : Direct replacement for traditional HID...

€85.15 *

incl. tax, free shipping to Germany
[International shipping costs]

Product data sheet

Availability:

Not in stock
Delivery time: approx. 2 weeks

Delivery time: approx. 2 weeks

LEDVANCE HID LED Hochregal Universal P 25000 LM 160W 840 E40

LEDVANCE HID LED Highbay Universal P 25000 LM 160W 840 E40

LED replacement for HID lamps for high-bay luminaires. Product features: Type of protection: IP40 • High surge protection: up to 4 kV (L-N) • : Direct replacement for traditional HID...

€128.75 *

incl. tax, free shipping to Germany
[International shipping costs]

Product data sheet

Availability:

Currently not available;
Article is coming soon

Currently not available

LEDVANCE HQL LED P 13000LM 90W 840 E40

Saves up to 78 % energy when used as replacement for mercury vapor lamps (HQL) • Low maintenance costs thanks to long lifetime • Instant 100 % light, no warm-up time...

€82.90 *

incl. tax, free shipping to Germany
[International shipping costs]

Product data sheet

Availability:

Currently not available;
Article is coming soon

Currently not available

2 From 2 pages

Facts

E40 LED Lamps – High-Output Lighting from Your Event-Technology Specialist: E40 LED lamps are the true powerhouses among modern light sources, built for applications where sheer brightness and rugged reliability matter most. With a 40 mm Giant Edison Screw base, these bulbs deliver lumen outputs of up to 20,000 lm and replace power-hungry discharge lamps at a fraction of the energy cost. Whether you illuminate a theatre stage, a... Read more »

Viewed