Common Issues with LED Lights
It is a proven fact that compared to other lighting technologies, LEDs have the longest lifespans.
If utilized correctly, a typical fixture can operate for up to 50,000 hours before breaking down.
These lights are also less susceptible to damage because they are composed of high-quality, environmentally friendly materials, as opposed to glass bulbs.
which shatter the moment they are dropped.
Simply said, an LED light is built to be durable and endure longer than most fixtures.
This is due to factors such as its robust casing or housing, its small size, its inability to overheat, and its low energy usage.
But it's not always the case...For a number of reasons, even LED lighting fixtures might develop issues.
Far while the majority of these problems may be little and simple to fix.
Ignoring them or waiting too long to do so might lead to even worse complications.
Now: If that occurs, you can be left with enormous losses to deal with; occasionally, you might have to replace all of your fixtures.
Do you really want that? You are in the appropriate location if so.
This article aims to clarify the majority, if not all, of the problems that might result in LED lighting failure and how to prevent them.
Ready? So let's get started.
9 Typical LED Lighting Issues to Avoid
Section 1: Installation of LED lights incorrectly
Let's be honest:
LED lighting fixtures frequently experience issues, many of which are the consequence of improper installation.
Numerous issues can arise from a lighting system connection that is faulty.
For instance:
- Short-circuits can be caused by loose or exposed cables.
- Oversupply of electricity.
- Improper or poor power distribution
- A poor distribution of light.
- Frequent malfunctions, etc.
And for that reason, I constantly advise planning before the installation itself.
You may be asking yourself, "Why is the planning step required?" I understand.
Well, it's really fairly easy. The only way to carry out a successful installation is to be aware of what to do and how to do it.
In this instance, that comprises:
- Being aware of how many fixtures the electrical capacity of your space can sustain.
- Figuring out the best location for each light to get the best illumination.
- Recognizing the LED light kind that will be required.
- Determining the function that each fixture serves in your system's overall illumination.
- Additionally, it will assist you in estimating the price so that you don't overpay or underpay for LEDs.
Basically:
A plan serves as a roadmap or blueprint for your project and is helpful at every stage of installation.
from purchasing necessary materials to testing the finished product.
A plan can result in a very successful and useful lighting system if it is carried out perfectly.
Going forward
Section 1: Not Using the Recommended Voltage or Current for the Fixture
The amount of current and voltages that an LED fixture can safely handle is always quite particular.
Just like with all other electrical devices with circuit boards.
Now: This means that any changes in the current, whether an increase or decrease, will unquestionably result in a malfunction or, in some cases, a failure of the fixture.
Basically: The fixture will dim if an LED light is supplied with less current than the manufacturer has specified.
It won't be able to provide you with the experience you were hoping for when you bought it as a result.
However, a larger supply of current or voltage will soon burn or damage the fixture's parts or semiconductors, which could cause an early failure.
I think you get the picture.
However, to prevent this:
To be sure the LED bulb you are buying will work with your present electrical setup.
You must always check the manufacturer's ratings on the LED bulb package.
Alternately, you could choose to modify your electrical system and cabling to make room for your new lighting fixtures.
Always choose the superior, more economical alternative over the second.
Section 3: Using LEDs in Conjunction with Other Lighting Technologies
Isn't it always alluring?
Implementing a parallel transition from outdated lighting systems to new ones since it's less expensive and more seamless than replacing all of your light fixtures at once.
However, you should be aware that this can negatively impact your brand-new LED light fixtures.
How? Well, the majority of conventional lighting methods, like incandescent bulbs, are frequently highly ineffective.
And as a result of inadequate heat dissipation, they are prone to heating up.
Now: LEDs perform better in colder conditions than incandescent and fluorescent bulbs.
It may not be a good idea to use LED lighting in the same space as heat-generating fixtures like incandescent bulbs.
In general: The heat will begin to build up around your fixture, and without adequate airflow, heat dissipation, or ventilation, your LEDs may begin to fail.
And if that occurs, you might have to deal with issues like:
- Wires shorting out.
- Damage to fixtures permanently.
- Smoke
- Burns
- Fires
What you must realize is that current LEDs, which are equipped with incredibly effective heat sinks, disperse heat differently from traditional fixtures.
Therefore, combining these technologies will undoubtedly result in incompatibilities, one of which being heat.
And: In the end, you can end up losing or harming all of your fixtures.
Section 4: Using Your LEDs in Hot Environments
Now: It is evident from the previous argument that LED lights perform poorly in warm situations.
And: To name a few, heated environments include bakeries, smelting operations, and nuclear power plants.
And that raises the question: What ambient temperature is ideal for LED lighting?
According to study by industry professionals, keeping a temperature of 25°C is desirable for the best performance of LEDs.
Funny enough, cooling down even more produces brighter lighting or a rise in luminous effectiveness.
But the inverse is also accurate.
By lowering the emission of white light, high temperatures frequently reduce the brightness of your fixture.
This implies that your light fixtures will start to gradually dim as soon as the temperature in your room climbs above 25°C.
Anyway: You might not always notice this impact, but you can clearly see the difference between two identical fixtures placed side by side in two very different environments.
The white light output of LED lighting will often be reduced by 20% to 35% in hot conditions, such as those between 40°C and 60°C.
I think it's very important, don't you?
To reduce the possibility of heat damage, it is always advised to tightly reinforce and shield LEDs used in any setting with an ambient temperature of over 80°C.
Not only can high temperatures cause your fixtures to dim or become dull, but other factors as well.
Other elements, such as the following, may contribute to such issues:
Getting older: LED lights have remarkably extended lifespans. The first thing you'll notice.
However, is that they'll gradually lose their brightness and become dull once they've outlived their permanency. The fixture will then start to flicker after that.
Poor wiring: Another factor that might reduce the brightness of fixtures. Some LED chips may not turn ON due to loose cable connections.
The overall lumen output will then be less than anticipated when that occurs.
Inadequate Power Supply: LED chips cannot produce their maximum lumen output when they get less power than the manufacturer has specified.
That indicates a reduction in brightness or an odd dimming effect.
Get it?
Section 5: Purchasing Cheap LED Lights
The use of incorrect LED lights is one of the main issues with current lighting systems.
But it makes sense for a novice to make such a mistake.
Why? Today's market offers thousands of different products.
Price is typically a deciding issue because sensible shopping advice says you should only purchase items that are within your price range.
However, inexpensive LED bulbs are frequently less dependable than other fixtures.
You'll discover that the maker of such a product employed subpar and inexpensive materials so they could sell it for a reasonable profit.
Basically, these fixtures typically become troublesome fairly quickly and show symptoms like:
- Unusual temperature.
- Flickering.
- Automatic dimming.
- Including early failure.
Now: How can I be sure I purchase a high-quality, reasonably priced LED light, you may be wondering?
There are a number of options available to you, such as:
Researching a little bit: Choosing the type of LED light you want is the first step you need to do.
This will make it simple for you to find the top suppliers of that particular goods.
Locating a reliable producer: there are a huge number of manufacturers. As a result, you must be very careful when searching for one.
The reviews and rating section is frequently the best place to start.
It's usually helpful to get feedback from previous customers because it gives you a better idea of what to anticipate.
Additionally, determine if they are credible, capable, reliable, innovative, and committed to enhancing your experience using their product.
Compared to other options: evaluate their LED fixture No matter how good a deal may seem.
It's always a good idea to compare prices to make sure it doesn't fall too far below the norm for the market.
Brands occasionally run promotions and make deals, but the costs they charge must be fair.
Section 6: Using faulty current drivers
The driver is frequently one of an LED light fixture's most crucial components.
How does it work?
Its primary function is to control the amount of power required for or used by these fixtures.
Hence it is to blame for some of the most prevalent issues with LED lights.
Most of these current drivers have a significant role in maintaining the longevity of the fixture in addition to being necessary for power regulation.
And so: Having a bad driver can lead to a variety of issues with your lighting fixtures, including early failure.
Do you really want that? Obviously not.
What's the best way and place to find an LED light with a good current driver?
Well: There are several traits that define a good driver.
For instance:
- Since low voltage DC drivers are more dependable and effective, they should be used.
- In order to guarantee that the fixture always receives a steady stream of power, it must effectively convert AC current to DC.
- Has protections in place to handle power surges and brownouts to prevent harm to the LED light fixture.
In light of this, you might also be questioning...
How can I know if a current driver is subpar and not something I should purchase?
Observe the following warning signs:
Heating frequently and failing too soon: It may have been manufactured with a defective driver if your LED light overheats frequently or perhaps fails before it should have.
Drivers of poor quality and affordability: Saving money is a normal human instinct.
This can, however, turn out to be costly over time when using LED drivers.
Why? Poor-quality drivers frequently permit more power than is advised to flow through.
Which causes heat, damage, and slow failure of the circuit board components in the fixture.
Anyway, you should be aware that the quality of your LED lighting fixture depends on the driver it employs.
Consequently, you should make it a point to search for LEDs that include the best and most premium current drivers.
Section 7: IPR Requirements for Your Fixtures Not Being Taken Into Account
There is no doubt:
One of the main causes of the frequent issues with LED lights is the incorrect IP rating.
How does an IP rating impact your fixtures and what is it?
A device's resistance to incursion by objects, dust, water, and moisture is measured using the Ingress Protection (IP) Rating, a standard used in the electronics industry.
In general:
- IP ratings are represented by the notation IPXY, where "IP" stands for Ingress Protection.
- The device is shielded from entry by items and dust by the character "X".
- And "Y" stands for its defenses against moisture and water infiltration.
How does this influence your LED lights and why is it important?
Well: To begin with, you should be aware that, in contrast to previous lighting technologies.
LED lights employ circuit boards rather than the straightforward glass-enclosed design common to Incandescent and Fluorescent bulbs.
Simply said, this means that your LEDs are readily damaged by water and dust.
Now: None of this is a concern if you get the proper type of lamp with an IP rating that is appropriate for its intended use.
However, failing to take your fixture's IP needs into account could cause water or dust damage, which could lead to the premature death of your light fixtures.
How therefore can you choose the IP rating that will best serve the needs of your fixture?
Well, there isn't a certain method to know this.
As a general rule, the fixture is more protected if the "X" and "Y" ratings are higher.
As an illustration, an IP68 LED light is far better and more secure than an IP14 fixture.
This implies that regardless of how damp, humid, or dusty it is, you may use the former in dusty situations and even for outdoor illumination.
Learn this: An IP14 lamp is designed to be used indoors in environments without a lot of moisture or dust.
If not, employing such a fixture in a dusty and damp environment will unquestionably reduce its effectiveness.
So what should we learn from this?
Always use LEDs that are designed for the environment or the use for which they are intended.
Therefore, any fixture with a lower IP rating (such as IP40) will do if you're looking for a nice indoor, office space fixture.
However, if the fixture is intended to provide external lighting, you might wish to purchase a much more robust and highly rated fixture (such as an IP65/68/69K) for that use.
Due to their high IP ratings, fixtures can withstand any weather condition without suffering any negative effects on their lifespans or performance.
Get it?
Section 8: Using Outdated or Incompatible Dimmers
Considering that LED lighting are solid-state electronics, dimming is probably one of their best characteristics (SSDs).
Simply simply, a dimmer enables you to effortlessly change the amount of light that a fixture emits.
This implies that you may quickly and easily change the lighting in your room to suit any mood or décor you like.
It's pretty fantastic, I know, right?
Anyway: If dimmers are so effective, why does my fixture have a problem with blinking LED lights?
Well, the solution is fairly straightforward - these fixtures have extremely precise dimmer requirements.
Obviously, technology is constantly evolving.
And as a result, dimmers continue to improve and become more effective.
Which also drives the creation of fixtures that are compatible with the newest technology.
Some people might benefit from this, but compatibility problems arise for those who are still utilizing outdated technology.
Now: Incompatibility with dimmers has a number of drawbacks, one of which is constant flickering.
Now, for anyone interested in learning how an LED light dimmer functions.
In general, dimmers let you control the power entering the fixture.
This implies that you can turn down the electrical voltage whenever you want to dim the lights or leave the fixture on for maximum brightness.
Therefore, it follows that since both dimmers and drivers control the power supply to the fixture, their functions are virtually identical.
What distinguishes the two, then, is the question at hand?
To achieve temporary dimming, you can adjust the power supply by raising or lowering it with a dimmer.
Drivers, on the other hand, don't give you any control.
They are responsible for ensuring that the manufacturer-specified power level is applied to your fixture.
In essence, you have no influence or say in how a driver operates.
Now, what occurs if you utilize an outdated or unworkable dimmer?
Typically, flashing is the first and most noticeable sign.
However, you could also encounter light interruptions and variations in brightness even inside the same fixture.
All of these signs and symptoms are typically brought on by incompatibility in the power supply.
And too much of them can cause damage to or outright failure of your LED light.
It's wise to always look for a dimmer that is made for your fixture to prevent this.
In actuality, you ought to stick to dimmers that bear the maker of your fixture's seal of approval.
The good news is that many current LEDs already have dimmers installed.
Saving you the misery of having to sift through hundreds of options to find the correct one.
Section 9: Complex circuit boards
The circuitry of an LED light's intricacy is the last thing that could go wrong.
As I've previously stated, the LED sector is seeing quick technological breakthroughs.
And while that might be advantageous for some people, it has drawbacks like complicated circuit boards.
We can all agree that these intricacies don't always matter as long as the new product is superior to the previous one in terms of quality, effectiveness, cost, and affordability.
However, a circuit board will have more weak areas and damage-causing potential the more complicated it is.
In essence, a complicated LED fixture has a higher risk of premature failure than an old, simple one.
What makes these lights so difficult, then?
Well, LEDs frequently have a ton of capabilities and functionalities, unlike incandescent and fluorescent lamps.
"WE SHOULD HANG SOMETHING COOL HERE"
And: It goes without saying that adding functionality necessitates using additional modules and parts on a single circuit board.
Which in turn increases complexity and, on extremely rare occasions, can lead to damage and premature failure.
To sum up...
There are numerous factors that can harm LED lights.
Some of these can be avoided, but others can be just beyond of your control.
Unavoidably, LEDs will outlast all other lighting technologies in severe conditions, with subpar drivers, with unsuitable dimmers, and in other situations.
Merely because they are designed to provide you with excellent value for your money.
Anyway, I hope you find this post to be helpful.
To make sure you purchase a fixture that will last for many years, make sure you have read and comprehended each of these things before you go shopping for LED light fixtures.
Have you got any inquiries? Or would you like to add something to the discussion?
If so, feel free to remark in the space provided below.
I'd be interested to get your opinions on the subject. Many thanks
As a final recommendation, you can discover more about how to take care of your neon sign in our previous blog: How Long Do Neon Signs Last? – Guide to Longevity.
To discover more about the history of neon signs. SEE HERE