PAR38 LED

The PAR38 LED bulb is the highest-output lamp in Votatec's PAR range, made for E26 sockets that need a wide 40 degree flood instead of a tight spot.

18W. 1400 lumens rated. 2470 candela at centre beam. Choose 3000K, 4000K or 5000K, and it dims on standard Leviton and Lutron controls.

UL listed, 120V, CRI above 80, and rated for enclosed fixtures. Three-year warranty.

How many lumens does an 18W PAR38 LED bulb put out?

This one's rated at 1400 lumens, and it pushes 2470 candela straight down the centre of the beam. For a PAR38 that candela number tells you more than lumens do, because it's what actually lands on the target. Lab testing puts the 50% beam at 41 degrees and the full field at 80 degrees. So you get a defined pool of light with a soft edge, not a hard-cut circle.

Is a 40 degree beam a flood or a spot?

Flood. A spot runs 8 to 19 degrees, so it's a different tool entirely. At 40 degrees this lamp sits at the top of the flood band, which suits washing a storefront wall, lighting a driveway, or covering a wide area from a recessed can. Need a tight beam to pick out signage or artwork? This isn't the lamp. Ask us about the PAR30 or PAR20 instead.

Which dimmers work with it?

Votatec lists it as compatible with Leviton 6681, 6674 and 6683, plus Lutron DVCL-153PLH, S600-P, DV600-P15 and MACL-153M. Stick to that list. Pairing an LED lamp with an older incandescent-only dimmer is what causes the flicker and buzz people usually blame on the bulb.

Will it survive an enclosed fixture?

Yes, and that's worth pausing on. Plenty of LED PAR38 lamps aren't rated for enclosed fixtures, because trapped heat cuts their life short. This one is rated for them. That opens up sealed cans and recessed trims where an unrated lamp would void its own warranty. For wet locations, send us the fixture and we'll confirm the location listing before you order.

Where it sits in the range

It's the top of the PAR ladder. PAR16 gives you 350 to 560 lm, PAR20 500 lm, PAR30 800 lm, and the 14W PAR38 1100 lm. This 18W version is the brightest of the eight. Pick it when the mounting height or the throw distance rules out the smaller sizes.

For the photometric data your designer needs, open the IES file in the Related documents panel, which carries the full candela table plus the 41 degree beam and 80 degree field angles. Send us your quantity and CCT split and we'll come back with a wholesale quote and a dimmer compatibility check.