Many people now install LED lighting because of the numerous benefits such as low energy consumption and long lifetime. LED lights, on the other hand, are more technically complex.
As a result, there are numerous known issues that can arise with LED bulbs and ruin the party. This guide will cover the common problems with LED lighting and how to fix them.
The most common LED light issues
Despite popular belief, LED technology is still relatively new, and as a result, it is constantly evolving. Many of the early problems have vanished, but other issues can resurface on a regular basis in certain situations. In this article, we’ll go over some common LED lighting issues and how to avoid them.
The following are the most common LED lighting issues:
- Solder and wire bonds of poor quality
- LED bulbs become overheated
- Incorrect use of LED lighting
- Using the incorrect current
- Existing fittings and fixtures are unrivaled
- Color rendering issues
- Circuits that are overly complicated
- Efficacy of light-emitting
- They do not last as long as manufacturers claim
These are the most common problems, but before we get into the specifics, let’s go over two of the most common causes of LED light problems. The first is that people frequently select the cheapest option available.
LED lights that have been fully certified and rigorously tested will last a long time if used properly, and you will get what you pay for.
Above all, poor ventilation and overheating are the second most common causes of LED bulb lifespan reduction. People frequently rant about LED technology, but it was their fault for screwing a high-power LED bulb into an enclosed fixture, where heat accumulation caused the bulb to fail.
Now, let’s get into the specifics of the most common problems.
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#1. Solder and wire bonds of poor quality
When you buy an LED bulb from a reputable manufacturer, it should have already passed a battery of tests. And it’s safe to assume that none of the solder wires or other components are defective.
One of the most serious issues with low-cost bulbs is a lack of regulation. As a result, they become extremely hot internally, causing the soldered joints to dry out and fall apart.
#2. LED bulbs become overheated
Allowing LED bulbs to overheat will cause them to fail prematurely. The one rule you can never break while maintaining your LEDs is to keep them cool. Many people have problems with LEDs when they are placed near other bulbs.
The heat produced by these other bulbs has the potential to cause your LEDs to fail. Even the most expensive LEDs with built-in heat sinks are not designed to withstand unexpectedly high temperatures.
When installing an LED, consider its location and how it will help to keep it cool. Place the bulb either downwards or upwards to allow the hot air to escape comfortably. It’s also important to remember that if you’re mounting an LED light downwards, you should leave the top of the fixture uncovered to allow any excess heat to escape.
If you plan to install the LED sideways, you’ll need to buy a light bulb with a larger heat sink design; otherwise, many of your bulbs will simply burn out. LED bulbs can fry if used in warm climates near kitchen stoves, in ventilated garages, or in any other location that does not allow for adequate ventilation.
#3. Incorrect use of LED lighting
Because LED bulbs are not designed to withstand higher temperatures, placing them in enclosed fixtures or incandescent fixtures with inefficient heat management systems will result in the LED bulbs failing.
- Because of the trapped air found in older or enclosed fixtures, your LED bulb, and its components warm up quickly.
- Because the heat sinks in cheaper LED lights are poorly designed, these problems are far more common.
- Because there is no way to help the heat dissipate, incandescent fixtures are not designed to accept LED bulbs.
- Because traditional bulbs are designed to radiate heat outwards, there are no sockets specifically designed to aid in heat dissipation.
As a result, installing LED bulbs in older sockets may result in the bulb failing.
#4. Using the incorrect current
Current fluctuations can have a direct impact on the lifetime of an LED bulb. LEDs rely on constant and consistent current, and as a result, a current surge can be extremely damaging.
Screwing an LED light in while it is still turned on, for example, can damage the bulb’s semiconductors. This can also happen if your LED light is turned on and off too frequently, resulting in a current rush that exceeds the expected parameters.
To avoid this problem, higher-quality bulbs have a soft start, which is designed to protect the bulb from damage caused by a current spike. If the current flowing through your circuit is greater than what your LED light is rated to handle, it will eventually fail.
#5. Existing fittings and fixtures are unrivaled
Another issue with LED technology is that it may not be compatible with existing dimming circuitry in offices and homes. Traditional bulbs could be dimmed by adjusting the voltage, and older circuits could do so easily.
Unfortunately, LED bulbs have their own built-in circuitry that is designed to operate on low voltage. As a result, these additional components require their own dimmers to function properly.
Read more: The Best Guide To Choose Floor Lamps For Bright Light
#6. Color rendering issues
Incandescent bulbs emit light similar to sunlight, making spaces vibrant and bright while maintaining the authenticity of all colors. This is known as the 100 percent color rendering index (CRI).
LED lights, on the other hand, have a CRI of 65 to 95, which has a direct impact on how we perceive green and red colors, as well as how skin tones appear.
While this may not be an issue for most people, it is something those certain industries must be aware of, especially if specific objects are to appear natural.
#7. Circuits that are overly complicated
When problems with lighting arise, experts will tell you that six times out of ten, the problem will be found on the circuit board. This statement also applies to LED technology.
As the bulbs have become more complex, they are causing increasing problems with the older, more antiquated circuits that they are expected to run on.
Lighting is becoming increasingly sophisticated. This is especially true for LED bulbs with additional features such as Wi-Fi connectivity or built-in dimming effects. As a result, LED lighting is now propelling existing circuitry forward.
#8. Efficacy of light-emitting
This is a little more complicated, but LED lighting brightness is measured differently than traditional incandescent bulbs. The alternative method of measuring the brightness of these lights has caused some confusion, particularly when comparing them to pre-existing lighting setups.
LED bulb efficiency is measured in lumens per watt. To assess a bulb’s performance, you must first determine how well it converts watts (energy) into lumens (light).
This will provide you with the luminous efficacy of your bulb. Low-efficiency bulbs are either older technology or poorly constructed.
When looking for an efficient high quality LED bulb, look for one with the highest number of lumens and the least amount of energy or watts used to generate these.
#9. They do not last as long as manufacturers claim
The main issue with LED lighting is that it does not last as long as expected. This is due to a combination of the aforementioned factors.
Because of this, as well as the fact that the technology is still in its early stages, determining the accurate lifespan of an LED bulb in real-world settings is more theoretical than practical.
Perfectly created lab conditions with compatible dimmers, the best fixtures, ideal temperatures, and perfectly stable current do not accurately reflect real-world conditions.
As a result, predicting how long an LED bulb will last is difficult. The combination of incompatible fixtures and dimmers, high temperatures, and dealing with intermittent power surges will put your LED bulb specifications to the test.
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Frequently Asked Questions
#1. What is the most significant disadvantage of LED lighting?
The most significant disadvantage of LED light bulbs is that they emit more blue light than incandescent bulbs, which emit more red light. Blue light can disrupt your circadian rhythm, affecting your ability to fall asleep and the quality of your sleep.
#2. How does one go about troubleshooting an LED light fixture?
First, check to see if the fuse for this circuit has tripped. If the ceiling light has previously worked, the lamp may be broken. Then, determine whether the light sources are replaceable. In this case, you can replace the bulb with a new LED bulb that is compatible with the socket.
#3. How long does an LED light last on average?
LED bulbs provide approximately 50,000 hours of light, with some brands providing up to 100,000 hours. In general, if you use your lights for 10 hours per day, LEDs should last you just shy of 14 years. Even if you spend a lot of money on a high-end bulb, LEDs are still a good investment.
#4. Do LED bulbs not work with the fixtures?
Unfortunately, not all LED light bulbs can be used due to heat entrapment in enclosed fixtures. Or perhaps it’s better to say they shouldn’t be used at all. It may still be possible to use a standard LED bulb in the enclosed fixture, but this will result in a shorter life span and the possibility of premature dimming.
#5. Why do my LED lights go out so quickly?
High voltage, bad contacts, incompatible dimmer switches, or recessed lighting are the most common causes of LED blowing out. Other causes include overheating caused by improper lighting or simply a bad batch of lightbulbs!
Read More: How To Decorate Room With LED Lights – The Detail Guide
Conclusion
Given the popularity of LED technology, perhaps it is time for the industry to address the common problems with LED lighting. Perhaps they should spend less time and effort on the extra features of LED bulbs. Instead, spend more money on testing and regulation to reduce these potential points of failure.
Forcing companies to provide better warranties and free replacements as standard will immediately improve the quality of the LED bulbs on the market. Customers have the right to receive what they pay for. They want well-tested, high-quality products in which they can put their trust.