Why does the lamp have a coil?

[ban-all-sheds]

Also we have decided realised that ELV is (part of) LV.

 

[EFLImpudence]

Sticking my neck out here.

Yes.

I know the correct names for all the types of bulbs, er lamps. It's pretty obvious looking at the base (to me) if it's direct mains (230V) or if it's (extra) low voltage 12V.

Is it?

I must admit though, I once (in my youth) tried to rotate an MR16 12V out of its base, thinking it was a GU10. Had to replace the bulb holder, transformer and bulb with GU10. It honestly looked like a turn to the left would release it, but turned out I just needed to pull it.

Exactly.

And I knew the difference between a GU5.3 base and a GU10.

... but you couldn't tell by looking at the MR16 bit.

What about these:

or this one: