Quite some time ago, a company called ABCO made a certain kind of MR16 120 volt which had a wider pin spacing than standard MR16 lamps.  Now, were not sure why they did this exactly, but what we do know is there are many installations which have these lamps.  Of course, the standard MR16 with the GU5.3 base will not fit at all and the voltage is also wrong.  Those are the 12 volt MR lamps and these ABCO lamps are the 120 volt version.  Since the implementation of these lamps in many types of track lighting, the company changed it's name to Westinghouse and now they are the manufacturer of this special lamp.  The GU7.9 base means that it has a pin spacing of 7.9 millimeters making it one of the widest spacings on the market today.  It's designed to operate in a 120 volt lighting system and is usually a track lighting situation.  It gives you the opportunity to have MR16 lamps without using a transformer.  For some people, they prefer not to have transformers in their lighting systems as it represents another component that will eventually fail.  It's almost impossible to get the same quality of halogen light effect from any other kind of lamp except for comparable 12 volt MR16 lamps.  Like all halogen capsule bulbs, they are filled with a special gas that actually rebuilds the filament and provides longer average lifespan than normal incandescent bulbs. Halogens come in different shapes and sizes for various different uses.  The MR16 is the one that has a 2 inch reflector with a silvered (dichroic) coated which is usually faceted.  This 120 volt MR16 always has a cover over the lamp, this is to protect from breakage in power surges or violent failure.  MR16 lamps put out a light that gives a good color rendition to anything you're lighting. This is especially useful in retail showrooms, where color is important to make merchandise look its best.

As with any halogen, Westinghouse MR16 GU7.9 120 volt halogen light bulbs should not be touched with your skin as the oils can react with the glass causing an early failure.  And in the case of these, they are sealed inside a glass covering, so it's impossible to touch the inner part and capsule.  If you have MR16 GU7.9 120 volt halogen light bulbs in your home or business, then you want to make sure of several characteristics when replacing them.  You need to make sure that the reflector opening is 2 inches, verify the operating voltage of the lamp and the pin spacing of the bulbs themselves.  As mentuioned before the pin spacing is 7.9 millimeters.  The manufacturers code number is a AB04519 or AB04725.  If you can find these characteristics or codes, then you can find them on our web site or you can call us to verify your information.

In summary, halogen light bulbs are available in a variety of sizes, and can be used, among many other things, to replace standard incandescent light bulbs. Of course, you will need fixtures that will have the correct equipment for the Westinghouse MR16 GU7.9 120 volt halogen bulbs.  The equipment will have no transformers and there will be wattage limitations for the bulbs as well.  You'll be happy with the results as they will emit a whiter, brighter light that is considered by a vast majority of people more desirable than regular light bulbs.  We have a large inventory of Westinghouse halogen bulbs for nearly every type of light fixture in the field.  If you need help identifying a MR16 halogen bulb, our customer service representatives can help you determine what you have.