Why do outdoor LED lights fail?

11 Apr.,2024

 

LEDs are renowned for their incredible lifespan, energy efficiency, and gorgeous soft light color. When it comes to outdoor lighting, LEDs are extremely reliable and can last for years. However, some homeowners have asked us why their LED lights have suddenly given out on them, leaving their homes in the dark. What leads to premature LED failure and how can you prevent it? Our team of outdoor lighting experts at Creative Nightscapes has the answers you are looking for! Let’s take a look:

Temperatures are Too Hot or Too Cold

LED lights need to be installed properly to help protect them from heat and chill. When an LED light is installed, it shouldn’t be placed in a tightly enclosed fixture. LED lights are sensitive to prolonged exposure to extreme heat, and without a way for the hot air to escape, the heat will begin to damage the LED itself, causing it to prematurely fail. LED lights always need to be installed with a heat sink to allow the hot air to escape and the bulb to stay at a lower temperature.

The opposite can be said about LEDs being exposed to constantly freezing temperatures. Low quality LED lights do not have the extra-low thermal protection that is found on higher-quality LED lights. This thermal protection helps them resist cracking due to cold or freezing temperatures. Never invest in low-value lights, as you may find yourself constantly buying new bulbs due to premature failure.

Structural Issues

Although LED lights are known for their reliability, sometimes they suffer from design or manufacturing defects. Structure issues within the bulb itself, the lamp, the connection inside the bulb, or even the wiring can result in the failure of your LED light. This is why it is important to put your faith in an experienced outdoor lighting team that knows how to identify good LED bulbs from faulty ones. LED lights need to be connected by a professional to ensure that the electrical flow isn’t cut off and that the bulb is getting the power it needs to light.

All LED bulbs, no matter the quality, have to have proof that they have gone under extensive quality testing. This ensures that your LED lights can withstand normal wear and tear and that each of the components is working properly.

Driver Failure

An LED driver is the electronic component that controls the amount of power allowed into the LED lamp or system. One of its main functions is to convert AC power to DC and prevent any power surges from burning the bulb. If the driver fails by letting too much power through, it can completely burn out the bulb.

What Causes a Faulty Driver?

  • Overheating: Low-quality materials can result in the driver not being able to disperse heat properly, resulting in the driver overheating. This can cause the driver to allow too much power through the lighting system and burn out the bulb.
  • Environmental Factors: Temperature fluctuations can have an impact on the driver of your LED lights. Each LED driver has different operating temperatures that tell you which range they can work well in. If your area consistently has temperatures outside of those ranges, you may be risking having your driver fail at some point due to overheating or freezing.
  • Improper Installation: Faulty installation can result in the driver to fail prematurely due to electrical issues. It is extremely important to ensure that you are hiring an experienced outdoor lighting company to install your outdoor lighting system.

How Do I Prevent Premature Lighting Failure

The best way to ensure that your outdoor lighting lasts you for years to come is by ensuring that you are teaming up with a certified outdoor lighting company. Creative Nightscapes is proud to be certified by Kichler and is a proud member of the Association of Outdoor Lighting Professionals. Our team only uses the best materials and practices in the trade to ensure that you are getting beautiful outdoor lighting designs and lighting that will last you for years. Contact our team today for more information on our services or to schedule a consultation with our outdoor lighting design team!

Additional Resources:

LED lights are known for their ability to highlight the most beautiful and interesting features of your home. They are energy-efficient, durable, easy to maintain, and environmentally friendly. However, while LED lights are the preferred choice when it comes to landscape lighting, certain circumstances can lead to their failure.

Reasons an LED Light Can Fail Prematurely

The addition of landscape lighting is an exciting upgrade to any home. Choosing LED lights for your landscape lighting is a great choice because they are long-lasting and radically improve the use of energy. However, there are a few reasons why LED lights could fail well before reaching their rated lifespan.

Temperature Fluctuation

Low quality LED lights that might seem like a more affordable option aren’t made to endure the extreme temperature changes of an outdoor environment. Exposure to intense heat over a long period can cause the LED to overheat. Ability to continue working properly during hot summer days and nights depends on how the light was built and the overall quality. For example, if the light was installed without a proper heat sink, the heat has no way to disperse appropriately, and the light will eventually fail. The opposite can also be a threat to the longevity of an LED; freezing temperatures can cause the housing of the LED light to crack as it tries to endure any freeze-thaw cycles that occur during the winter months.

Structural Problems

LED lights are known for their quality, but sometimes design defects or incorrect manufacturing happens. Structure issues with the lamp, connection, or the actual LEDs can cause the LED to fail. For example, if the LED is improperly designed, the electrical flow could be cut off, preventing the bulb from getting the power it needs to light.

Additionally, not all LED lights are made with high-quality materials. Choosing a cheaper light because of the immediate cost benefit could actually cost you more in the end because they are made with low-quality materials. LED performance heavily relies on the ability of each component to work together and high-quality materials are needed for the light to function for a long time. The better the materials, the more peace of mind you will have that your outdoor lights will operate correctly, without hassle, and with a long shelf life.

LED Driver Failure

An integral component of LED lighting is the LED driver. The LED driver is an electronic device that controls the amount of power allowed into the LED lamp or system. One of its primary functions is to convert AC power to DC, which is what LEDs run on. Additionally, it helps prevent power surges from burning through the bulb. A driver that is failing will let too much power through, resulting in an overheated light. The cause of a bad driver could be any of the following:

Overheating – An essential function of a driver is to regulate the amount of power that is let through to the lighting system. If low-quality materials were used during the manufacturing of the driver, heat could build-up and eventually cause the driver to overheat.

Environmental Factors – Temperature fluctuation can also affect the operation of an LED driver. It is important to note what the operating temperatures of the driver are when deciding which one to use. If the temperatures where you live don’t align with this range, you are much more likely to end up with a driver that fails at some point.

Improper Installation – Faulty or incorrect installation can cause the driver to fail prematurely. It is important to choose a trusted and experienced outdoor lighting company to install your lighting system to avoid this costly mistake.

Creating Gorgeous Outdoor Environments With Reliable LED Lights

When it comes to the right outdoor lighting for your home, LED lights are the obvious choice because of their beauty, longevity, and efficiency. Enhanced Outdoor Lighting & Design can assist in the creation of the perfect plan to brighten your home. With Enhanced Outdoor Lighting & Design, you don’t have to worry about the quality or durability of our products. We offer a 40,000-hour lamp life or 15-year warranty on our LED fixtures and have experienced technicians that will expertly install your lighting system. Give us a call today for a free consultation!

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