There are some types of lighting which need a directed beam of light to complete the lighted task.  This often happens in stage lighting, where light often needs to be thrown from some distance and provide adequate illumination.  One of the most common configurations for this is the PAR56 light bulbs.  They've been used for many decades and provide the light in several different beam spreads.  So it becomes the lamp that is used in TV studios, stages of all types, gymnasiums that have a multipurpose and so on.  These are not a halogen bulb as many people think, rather they have a standard incandescent filament.  The beam spreads range from wide flood, medium flood and narrow spot and these have a mogul end prong base.  Of course, there are a couple of low voltage versions that we have that are unusual, and they vary slightly, but the most common is the 300 watt PAR56, or 300PAR56.  These are available in 120 volt or 130 volt.  Many people like the 130 volt because they last longer, and that means something when you're having to put up scaffolding or a high ladder to change them!

The PAR56 light bulbs are specialized bulbs that are not used in everyday applications. They are meant for high wattage-high lumen applications and are often labeled as Projector/Stage/Theater lighting. That isn't the only use, of course, there are some other specialty lighting applications as well. You can tell what kind of PAR lamp you have by measuring the distance across the widest point of the bulb. The number after 'PAR' shows the number of eighths of an inch in diameter the bulb is. Therefore, PAR56 lamps are 7 inches across. Sylvania, Philips, and GE offer PAR56 lamps. They have bases mogul end prong. The best way to describe how this base type works is to say you simple push the bulb into the socket, and it fits into the fixture and stays in place without twisting. It's a heavy prong base, and it's very sturdy.  The fixtures they go into are generally large track or cans which can accommodate the size and the wattage.  You won't be able to put anything else in it's place.

You can get the bulb in several beam spreads. The names for the spreads are as follows: NSP (narrow spot), MFL (medium flood), and WFL (wide flood). PAR56 light bulbs are available in various voltage and wattage combinations. You can find them in 120, 200, 300 and even 500 watt versions. Voltages range as follows: 12 volt, 75 volt and 120 volt.  The 120 volt is the most common by far and the low voltage is for special types of lighting.

It is clear that this type of bulb is highly specialized and it would be accurate to say that most people will travel through life without ever observing their existence. Thanks to their size, unusual base, and distinct wattage offerings, the bulbs are not typical in your local lighting shop. Still, there is a place for the PAR56; since they are made for stage lighting most specifically, the items shown under this light will be highlighted with a lot of light or any variation that dimming offers. It's truly a versatile light, but it has to be when it is used for lighting effects.  If you have any questions about these lamps, we can help, we know that you want to make sure to get the right one.  If you need help identifying a bulb, our customer service representatives can help you determine what you have.