LED Lighting Problems and Solutions

Common LED issues and how to solve them

LEDs are without a doubt, a modern-day solution to lighting your home or workplace, but they are not immune to technological faults and defects. Our expert LED lighting manufacturers will take you through some common issues with LEDs and how to solve them to restore their functionality, so you can continue enjoying your fittings without frustration.

Flickering

The first and most common problem people face with LED lighting is flickering. Many people find themselves familiar with this issue in incandescent and fluorescent lightbulbs, but in reality, LEDs can also suffer from this problem. Without fixing, this can become a serious problem, often causing headaches, nausea and energy fatigue which is most definitely less than ideal for a working environment where LEDs are commonly used. 

LED flickering can have various causes, including voltage fluctuations within the home. When large electrical appliances turn on/off, sudden changes in power can lead to fluctuations in voltage levels. As a result, the LED light, which draws power from the mains, may flicker due to the fluctuating voltage coming through the power supply. 

To solve this problem, have larger appliances that require a lot of power, such as fridges, freezers, and ovens, on separate circuit breakers to protect the other electrical channels in the home from overloading. 

Loose connections and wiring are another common cause of LED flickering. To address this issue, simply tighten the LED lightbulb securely by removing and re-screwing it. Also, consider cleaning any dust from the fixture, especially the connection points, as dust can affect the internal components.

Buzzing noise

There is nothing more annoying and irritating than a persistent background sound that disturbs your day and headspace. While all types of lightbulbs can produce noises that can be distracting, it is more noticeable in LED products due to an overload in the circuit as the LED lightbulb is receiving a slightly higher voltage than it requires to operate. The humming or buzzing sound that LED lightbulbs give out generally indicates that the lights are using a frequency of 120 hertz, a voltage level that can cause the components in the bulb to vibrate or oscillate.  

Although the buzzing can be irritating, it generally does not impact the long-term lifespan of the LED fixture. However, it can indicate that the lightbulb is coming toward the end of its life or that the LED product itself is faulty. 

It is important to explore potential solutions before considering a replacement for the LED product. One approach is to check the voltage running through the socket and compare it with the acceptable voltage range for the LED lightbulb or fixture to determine whether the voltage is overloading the fitting.

Overheating

While LEDs generally do not emit additional heat like incandescent lightbulbs, certain components can still become hot. If not cooled properly, they will become damaged and fail and become a hazard. An LED enclosed within a poorly ventilated fixture makes it difficult to cool effectively, resulting in a build-up of heat and causing the diodes within the LED to fail. 

This can be a major issue as when LED lights become too hot over an extended period, they can suffer a diminished light quality and eventually burn out, leading to a shorter lifespan. This would eliminate one of the main benefits of LED lighting and cause your lights to burn out frequently, meaning you will need to spend more money on replacing them regularly. 

Luckily, there are solutions to this problem. Firstly, avoid placing your LEDs in small, enclosed spaces or fittings. This ensures your LEDs have room to breathe in an open space or a fitting with a wide shade. 

Increasing ventilation within the room or space is another effective method. This helps reduce any stuffiness and lowers the overall temperature, keeping the LEDs cooler. The improved airflow decreases humidity and prevents heat build-up within the LEDs.

Poor colour rendering

LEDs possess many advantages over traditional incandescent and fluorescent light sources. However, due to a lack of LED manufacturing standards and the fact that LED technology is younger in comparison to other light sources, they can sometimes have poor-quality colour rendering.

Colour rendering refers to a light source’s ability to accurately reflect surface colour to the human eye. This is measured through the Colour Rendering Index (CRI) and expressed as a rating from 0 to 100. The higher the CRI rating is, the better light source is at colour rendering. 

The CRI value of LEDs can range between less than 70 and over 90, whereas incandescent lightbulbs generally have a CRI of 97-100. Essentially, this means that the colours of objects illuminated by LED lights may appear inaccurate to the human eye. However, there are ways to improve the quality of colour rendering in LED lighting by the LED fixture you choose to purchase. 

Ensure that you look for LED lighting with a higher CRI combined with a warranty that guarantees colour consistency over time. This is because the colours of LED lights will change over time, along with the fact that the output of the light source can degrade. 

Next, you should opt to choose LEDs with the right colour temperature. The colour temperature of a light source affects the way colours look under that light, so a cool white light temperature will make colours look bluer. On the other hand, a warm white light colour temperature makes colours appear yellower. By manipulating this, you can account for a weaker CRI.

Light glare

Light glare is one of the most common problems with any light source, but this problem can be more severe with LED lights. As LED manufacturers strive for higher light output from smaller sources, the risk of glare increases due to the greater lumen output from a compact size. Long-term exposure to glare can be detrimental, leading to significant visual strain, including headaches, migraines, fatigue, and potentially causing damage to the eyes. However, these risks can be greatly reduced by being mindful when purchasing LED lights and ensuring they have certain features that can help minimise glare.

Install Dimmers: Since glare is the result of excessive light entering the eye, choosing an LED light with an adjustable light output is a good idea. This is what dimmers allow you to do. With dimmers, you can adjust the level of light output to your preference based on what is comfortable for your eyes.

Diffusers: Diffusers are semi-transparent or translucent covers installed over a light source to reduce light by scattering it. As a result, the light that passes through a diffuser has a reduced intensity and appears softer to the human eye.

Anti-glare filters: Anti-glare filters allow you to achieve a glare-free lighting experience without replacing your current LED fixtures with ones that include built-in diffusers. This is achieved by inserting a filter over the present lighting fixture that disperses the currently unidirectional light.

General maintenance tips to prolong your LED's lifespan

Being proactive in maintaining your LED fixtures is crucial for preventing these potential issues. Here are some key ways to ensure the optimal performance of your LEDs.

Check connection points: During the life of an LED product, connection points can become loose through simple everyday use. It is important to monitor this from time to time. If your LEDs start to flicker or fail to turn on, you must ensure that all connectors within the lighting fixture are securely fastened.

Routine dusting: Once installed, LED fittings usually require little maintenance apart from a light dusting performed on a regular basis to stop any dust build-up from affecting the internal components or becoming lodged within the connection points. We would recommend using a soft, dry, microfiber cloth, avoiding any materials that could catch on any delicate LED components.

Clean the area/fitting before installation: Prior to installation, we recommend cleaning the area where you will install your LED fitting to reduce any future issues. For example, if you are installing a flush LED surface light like our FUEVA 5, ensure that the surrounding surfaces are free from dust and debris.

Care for your LEDs

LEDs are an excellent choice for home or office lighting, offering a wide range of benefits compared to traditional light sources. However, it is important to be aware of any potential issues and know how to address them accordingly. By practising routine and effective maintenance, you can significantly reduce these problems from occurring. If you are interested in exploring our different types of LED products, please contact us today.