A PAR38 is a reflector bulb 38 eighths of an inch, or 4-3/4", across, with a focused beam, on the standard E26 base. For an outdoor flood, pick one rated for wet locations, because not every PAR38 is.
Size and base
Every PAR38 in the table, from Feit, GE and Westinghouse, has a medium E26 base. Feit’s run 5.0 to 5.3 inches long, GE’s 5.16 to 5.35 and Westinghouse’s LED 5.32. Feit describes the PAR38 as the size for outdoor floods and bright indoor fixtures.
Outdoors: check each bulb’s rating
Not every PAR38 is wet-rated: four of Feit’s PAR38 listings, such as the PAR38/ADJ/930CA BeamChoice bulb, are rated for damp locations only. Feit also says to confirm that the fixture’s location rating matches the bulb. Where wet or damp applies is on outdoor light bulbs.
| Bulb | Lumens | Rated for | Dims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feit PAR38DM/930CA/2, 11.1 W | 1,000 | Wet | Yes |
| Feit PAR3890/850/10KLED/2, 14 W | 1,000 | Wet | No |
| Feit PAR38/ADJ/930CA, 10.5 W | 950 | Damp | Yes |
| Feit PAR38/5000/5K/LED, 55 W | 5,000 | Wet | No |
| GE Outdoor Style 90 W replacement, 15 W | 1,300 | Outdoor | Yes |
| GE PAR38 5-color security, 15 W | 1,300 | Wet | No |
| Westinghouse 15PAR38 IndOut, 15 W | 1,350 | Wet | Yes |
Ratings as each maker lists them. GE lists its Outdoor Style bulb for outdoor use without naming wet or damp.
Dusk-to-dawn PAR38s
Some PAR38s switch themselves on and off. Feit’s PAR38100/5CCTCA/DD has a photocell that turns it on at dusk and off at dawn, and GE says to fit its LED+ PAR38 dusk-to-dawn bulb with the sensor exposed to daylight. Neither dims. Motion sensor PAR38s and sensor fixtures are on outdoor light bulbs.
Closed fixtures, dimmers and brightness
- Closed fixtures. Feit’s 55 watt PAR38/5000/5K/LED isn’t rated for enclosed fixtures, while its 11.1 watt PAR38DM/930CA/2 is.
- Dimmers. Feit notes that not all PAR38s dim, and its PAR3890/850/10KLED/2 doesn’t: look for the dimmable label.
- Brightness. Feit’s white PAR38 LEDs run from 750 lumens, a 75 watt replacement, to 5,000, a 325 watt replacement. See watts to lumens.
What it’s confused with
- PAR30. The same kind of beam, 3-3/4" across.
- BR40. A wide-flood reflector 5" across, for larger recessed cans: see recessed light bulbs.
Switch the floodlight off, let the bulb cool, and use a steady ladder to reach it.
Another shape?
Bases and shapes