The era of incandescent and fluorescent lighting is over; in recent years, LED lights are leading the scene. Why? Mostly because switching to LED means less electricity usage which results in an affordable energy bill. Another important reason behind LEDs popularity is its hassle-free, continuous support. LED dramatically reduces the probability of replacement issues. LED lights have a reputation of lasting for ages.
This raises a question, are the comparatively new inventions “trouble free”? Unfortunately, no. Here we discuss some of the most common LED problems, along with their solutions.
Most common LED problems that we face are –
- Flickering Light
- Dimming Issues
- LEDs Failing to Reach the Desired Lifespan
- Glowing Even After the Switch is Turned Off.
Flickering LED lights:
Flickering light is a quite common problem, almost everyone has come across this issue, be it with LED lights or other types. There are some common reasons that an LED light might flicker, and you will need to find the cause before you can resolve the issue.
– Evaluate your current setup:
The first step is to identify the problem itself. Look for any loose wires, unsecured or misplaced bulbs. Have a close look at the connection point. If you found the wiring to be loose, disconnect the power source and solve the wiring problem.
– Look for parts which can potentially fail:
If the wiring is working fine, but you’re still faced with flickering lights, you may have a less obvious problem. For example, some newer LEDs are not compatible with older accessories. Additionally, incompatibility of switches, driver components, incorrect power input, drop in wattage or unstable voltage levels call all be part of the problem. You need to check all the parts like by one in order to find out what specifically is malfunctioning with your equipment.
– Take care of that malfunctioning component:
Once you’ve identified the culprit, it’s time to take action. Reach out to your manufacturer and let them know about the tasks you’ve already carried out. If your equipment is under warranty, you might get a replacement. If not, they can suggest a good alternative for you.
– If none of the above works for you, it’s time to consult an expert, and/or replace the LED.
Issues with dimming LED lights:
Dimmable lights are readily available today. Dimming lights face some common problems, however. They include-
– Dropping out: As you’re trying to dim the light it suddenly cuts out, even though you haven’t reached the bottom of the switch yet.
– Pop on: The opposite problem to dropping out. You’re increasing light and all of a sudden, you jump to the highest brightness.
– Dead Travel: This is when your lights don’t respond in certain sections of the dimming scale.
– Strobing & Flickering: The light pulses sporadically – in the case of flickering – or at a slower, more rhythmic rate in the case of strobing.
– Flashing: More irregular than strobing or flickering, the lights turn on and off even now and then.
How to take care of LED dimming problems:
– Not every LED light has a dimmable capability, make sure the one you own actually does.
– Not every controller is compatible with every LED. You need a proper match.
– Never buy cheap, untested LEDs. They are certain to give you headaches.
LEDs failing to reach their desired lifespans:
Though LED lights have a much longer lifespan than others, it is not uncommon to hear that a light is not lasting as long as intended. While the reasons differ, the most common cause is that they are being treated like non-LED lights.
Older bulbs generated a massive amount of heat when compared to LED lights. LED struggles to operate at high temperatures, however, and if you fit them in a closed place where no heat can escape, the lifespan decreases dramatically. Using different types of lights, such as incandescent or fluorescent lights, in combination with LEDs also put them at risk of early failure.
The best way to avoid this problem is to use high-quality LEDs, and to change all your lights at once so that you do not use a combination.
Lights glowing even after the switch is turned off:
You might notice your LEDs glowing at a very low rate even after you’ve turned the switch off. This happens when your lights let a tiny amount of electricity pass, even when the switch is turned off. In the case of incandescent bulbs this tiny amount was not enough to light the light, but LEDs are a little different. They run on such low power that the insignificant amount of electricity flow might be enough for a smooth, dull glow.
This problem could indicate a faulty electrical circuit or a poorly manufactured LED bulb. Either way, you may want to consult an expert.
While other problems do exist with LED lighting, these are the most common.
Being a little cautious and spending a bit more at the start to get top-quality LED products all but guarantees you a smooth experience free from interference. For your LED lighting needs you should find an LED lighting supplier.