The bulbs run when you turn on the included power caps, press down with their fingers with a wet cloth, or convert the light bulb into a portable lamp with the patented plug cap. You can also insert the bulbs into any suitable light fixture and power it on and off with a light switch. They work as regular bulbs when connected to 120V voltage (850 lumens output), and if the power does go out they will remain turned on (500 lumens output).