What is a LED Corn Bulb?

The LED corn bulb, also known as corn cob lamps, takes its name from the corn cob, as it is covered with individual LED lights arranged on a metal structure. When displayed it resembles a corn cob, with bright kernels. A single corn bulb achieves the brightness levels of many traditional lights. This makes corn fixtures perfect for outdoor and industrial locations. Even better, these bulbs achieve high lumen levels at much lower wattage than the other types of bulbs.

These bulbs work in multiple applications and feature a few different screw bases:

  • E17
  • E26
  • E39

A Brief History of Corn Cob Led Lights

Post Top Light

The history of corn cob LED lights dates to the mid-20th century, evolving from LEDs used for indicators and displays. The term “corn cob” derives from the arrangement of LED chips on a cylindrical base, improving light distribution and heat dissipation.

Corn Cob LED lights gained traction as accessible, efficient, and affordable options. Their benefits-lower energy use, extended lifespan, and quality lighting-drove popularity across settings. They played a vital role in promoting sustainable lighting, marking a significant step forward in lighting technology.

Corn cob LED lights, inspired by corn lamps and their distinctive arrangement, have evolved into versatile and energy-efficient solutions. From basic indicators they now offer improved illumination, longer lifespans and better-quality lighting in various settings.

Why should I use LED corn bulbs?

Did you know that the LED corn lights can replace metal halide or high-pressure sodium lights in outdoor or industrial settings, such as in parking lots and warehouses? LED corn bulbs can retrofit high bay and low bay lights and offer many wattage options. Corn bulbs retrofit into existing metal halide or high-pressure sodium fixtures without needing to replace the entire fixture.

The LED corn light bulb offers higher energy efficiency for lower replacement and maintenance costs. The bulb uses a plastic cover that protects both the driver and led lights from bugs, dust, weather, and heat. Due to the large surface area of their aluminum structure, heat can easily escape. These low-voltage bulbs offer a lifespan up to five times longer than traditional bulbs. The LED corn light bulb also offers durability, a 360-degree beam angle, and instant-on options.

Corn Bulb
High Bay Light

Where can I use Corn bulbs?

Corn bulb lighting works for indoor and outdoor commercial applications including the following:

High Bay Lighting

These lights install on ceilings between 20 to 45 feet high. High bay corn bulbs give off 10,000 lumens or more. They use beam angles of 60, 90, or 120, which helps the lamp create a focused beam with a high lux level.

What type of light do Corn Bulbs emit?

PLED corn lamps also known as corn lights emit bright light that resembles a very warm white light of light. The type of light they emit depends on the specific LED chips used in the corn cob lamp. The bulbs are currently available on the market in a vast color temperature range.

Corn lights can emit a near daylight white light or a cozy yellowish light. That’s often associated with traditional incandescent light bulbs. They also create a warm white light resembling a comfortable and inviting atmosphere, making them suitable for indoor spaces like living rooms and bedrooms.

Post Top Light
Low Bay Corn Bulb

Low Bay lighting

These lights install on ceilings lower than 20 feet high. They give off a lumen count less than 10,000. A low-bay corn bulb uses a beam angle of 120, which spreads the light to maintain the desired level.

LED Corn Bulb
Before and After Corn Bulb,Cobra Light
Floodlights

Shoebox Fixture lighting

Known for their “cobra head” or “shoebox” design, these lights install in outdoor areas illuminating highways, streets, parking areas and more.

Flood lights

Outdoor lights install in a broad area such as parks and playing fields. The high lux and lumens output make this type of lighting perfect for sporting events.

Cobra Light Bulb

Shop lighting

Shop lights install in workshops or mechanic shops to provide light for specific tasks. These lights also supplement natural or overhead light.

Post Top lighting

Typically found along walkways and parks, these lights rest at the top of a pole of some sort.

The Life Span of a Corn Led Bulb

Led Corn Light bulb bulbs lifespan can vary depending on various factors including their quality, usage and operating conditions.

Unlike traditional incandescent or fluorescent light bulbs, LED bulbs produce very little heat making them more energy efficient. This efficiency is a main contributor to their extensive lifespan and reduced energy consumption.

LED corn light bulbs have quickly become a great alternative for lighting for users mainly due to their long lifespan. Not to mention their reduced maintenance requirements and ability to lower utility costs.

Corn lights use extensive lighting technology that eliminates energy wasting and helps users to save money. Generally, good-quality LED corn light bulbs are designed to last anywhere from 25,000 to 50,000 hours. Their design helps them to hone a long lifespan compared to other types of bulbs like the incandescent bulbs, lights etc.

The Many Uses of Corn Cob Led Bulbs

The versatility of corn LED bulbs, along with their energy efficiency and long lifespan, makes them suitable for a wide range of lighting applications including commercial and industrial applications, indoor applications and more. To operate as a versatile lighting solution that can cater to users who are looking to optimize their light output, A corn lamp ultimately uses the following lighting technology:

Outdoor Lighting: Corn Cob lamps are often used for outdoor area lighting in parking lots, streetlights, and pathways because they offer an omnidirectional lighting design that provides even illumination enhancing safety and visibility.

Warehouse and Industrial Spaces: These bulbs are ideal for lighting large indoor spaces such as warehouses, factories and industrial facilities due to their high brightness and wide beam angle illumination capabilities.

Post Top Lighting: Commonly seen in parks, public spaces, and residential neighborhoods, corn cob lamps in post top fixtures offer aesthetically pleasing and efficient lighting for outdoor areas.

Street Lighting: Corn Cob LED lights are being adopted for street lighting due to their long lifespans, reduced maintenance requirements and energy efficiency. 

What wattage and lumen count do I need?

LED bulbs offer the same brightness as metal halide or high-pressure sodium bulbs at a much lower wattage. Lumen refer to the brightness of the bulb, while wattage refers to the energy the bulb uses. When replacing metal halide lamps, look at the lumen outputs:

Metal Halide WattageLED Corn Bulb Equivalent
400W12,000-18,000
250W9,000-12,000
150-175W7,000-9,600
75-125W4,000-8,000

Switching to LED lowers your wattage, and therefore, your energy bill, without lowering the brightness.

Additionally, LED corn lamps come in a wide range of color temperatures suited to different situations.

  • 3000K: Warm white color, best for living rooms, kitchens, and bedrooms
  • 4000K: Natural white light, best for offices and overhead lights
  • 5000K: Cool daylight, best for basements and garages

While LED corn lights come in all these options, the majority go in the 5000K range due to their industrial or outdoor location.

How to install the LED corn bulb?

LED Corn Bulb Transversely Mounted Horizontally

Transversely Mounted

Installing LED corn bulbs transversely mounted refers to installing the bulb horizontally or sideways within a fixture. This method is commonly seen in fixtures that are compatible with directional features. Before you begin, ensure you’ve turned off the power to the fixture. This is a critical safety step to prevent electrical accidents during installation. Next, if the fixture has any covers, panels or shades, remove them to access the bulb socket. This will allow you to insert the LED bulb properly. Hold the LED bulb horizontally and insert it into the socket to ensure that the bulb aligns correctly with socket pins.

LED Corn Bulb Vertically Mounted Downward

Vertically Downward

Installing LED corn bulbs vertically downward will ensure that light illumination is even and uniform which can be pivotal in spaces where consistent light coverage is essential. Installing an LED vertically downward is a straightforward process and the following steps will explain how you can. You should turn off the power supply to the fixture to ensure your safety during the installation process. Accessing the fixture is the next pivotal step because it allows you to remove or replace preexistent bulbs so that the new LED can be inserted. Now inserting and securing the light to ensure that the new bulb is ready to produce light is a priority. Lastly turn on the power to test the LED bulb to ensure that it’s working as expected.

LED Corn Bulb Vertically Mounted Upward

Vertically Upward

Installing LED corn bulbs vertically upward requires careful consideration to ensure proper illumination and safety. You should firstly check for upward installation compatibility and if it has been rated to ensure a healthy range of installation practices. Some other pivotal steps that will optimize a healthy installation are as follows: consider turning off the power to prevent electrical hazards, access the fixture where you intend to install the lamp or bulbs. Secure the bulb using the securing mechanisms that the fixture should provide to prevent the bulb from falling out due to vibration or movement. Replace any removed covers from the bulb, lamp or mogul bases.

Keep in mind that if you mount the bulb horizontally, you might need a wire to support the bulb, due to the weight of the bulb.  

The corn bulb may sport a funny name, but the benefits are far from a joke. With the LED corn bulb, you get an energy efficient, low maintenance product, with longevity. You can also see a return on your investment in as little as 12 months. If you’re considering a purchase, visit HomElectrical.com where we have the most competitive prices on LED corn bulbs. Please, leave a comment if you have any questions or are still confused. No matter the project, we have the solution.

Falyn Eaden
Falyn Eaden

Working as Project Management Officer at CORL Technologies and armed with a B.S. in English & Professional Communication and an M.S. in Cyber Security, Falyn works to create environments that protects and represents the world around us. He loves life, fast-paced environments, flag football, eating and exploring new things.

Join Our Mailing List

Receive special deals and more, right to your inbox

Join Our Mailing List

Receive special deals and more, right to your inbox

Need Assistance?