Light bulbs in microscope illuminators need to be replaced periodically. The bulbs on this page are most commonly used in Meiji Techno illumination systems. Some older models or specialised microscopes may use bulbs that are not listed here. If you cannot find the correct bulb, please contact us and our technical support staff will assist you. For information on Lamp Safety, Handling and Disposal click here.
N.B. Do not rely on the size of these images to determine which bulb you need, they are not to scale.
N.B. Incident light shines down from above; transmitted light shines up through the specimen from below.
12V 10W
Incident light: ST-3, SKT-1B, SKT-2B, SKT-3B, GS2000
Incident & transmitted light: SKT-BT, SKT-2BT, SKT-3BT
Transmitted light: STC-3
6V 20W Halogen
For MA260, MA264H, and MA264EX illuminators
220/240V 20W
For “B” Stand and MA261-35 (TM200 Series illuminator)
220/240V 30W
For MA263 illuminators
6.5V 2.75A
For MA264 illuminators
12V 50W
For ML5000 Series 50W models; ML7500, ML8500
All MT7500, MT8500 series.
8W Ring Fluorescent
For MA305/100, MA305/200 ring fluorescent illuminators
4W Tube Fluorescent
For MA309 fluorescent box illuminators for GEM stand
6V 30W Halogen
For ML2000 and ML5000 Series 30W models; all VT Series Models; IM7100, IM7200, ML2000, ML7000, ML8000, ML9000, all MT Series 30W models; all RZT & RZDT Stands
220/240V 30W
For GEM stand transmitted light
6V 1.2A Tungsten
Incident light: AB, ABZ, PB Stands
All BM/BMK Series models
6V 1.2A Tungsten
Transmitted light: AB, ABZ, PB StandsNote: MA560 and MA561 may appear to be identical, but they are not interchangeable.
6V 10W Halogen
Incident & transmitted light: ABE, ABH, ABZH, PBH Stands
21V 150W Halogen
For Fiber Optic Light sources: All FT190 and FL150 Series
HBO 100W Mercury DC Arc Lamp
TC5000 Series & MT6000 Series equipped with Epi-Fluorescence Lamphouses
XBO 75W Xenon DC Arc Lamp
TC5000 Series & MT6000 Series equipped with Epi-Fluorescence Lamphouses
XBO 100W Xenon DC Arc Lamp
TC5000 Series & MT6000 Series equipped with Epi-Fluorescence Lamphouses
Tips on extending bulb life
Bulbs have a rough life in a microscope: burning in an enclosed area for hours on end with a finite lifetime, the effects of too much heat and not enough ventilation, DC current from the dimmer circuit slowly thinning the metal of the filament. And with bulbs nowadays being manufactured more and more cheaply, the cumulative effect is not good for bulb longevity.
If the bulb is halogen or DC Arc Lamp type, DO NOT TOUCH THE GLASS with your bare hands when installing bulbs. Use the plastic bag it comes in to install the bulb. DO NOT jar or bump or run your scope in an environment that has excessive vibration. Turn your scope off if you do not need it on. Some bulbs have a rated life of only 100 – 200 hours so if you use your scope full time, be prepared to use bulbs.
Halogen bulbs in microscopes and fiber optic light sources can also have problems if the socket is worn out; i.e. the connection cannot sink enough heat away from the bulb and/or the electrical connection is weak. If your scope is an old workhorse who’s starting to eat bulbs, check the bulb socket out for poor contact and discoloration of the contact. The bi-pin type bulb should push stiffly into the socket. If not, or if it wobbles around excessively, the socket is too old and needs replacement.