10 Common Problems with LED Lighting

Have you ever wondered, "Why is my LED light flickering?" or faced other issues with your LED lighting? LED lights have become increasingly popular due to their energy efficiency, longevity, and eco-friendliness. However, they can sometimes pose challenges.

In this article, we will delve into 10 common problems with LED lighting, offer feasible solutions for each, and introduce a must-buy LED light for 2023.

Part 1. What Are LED Lights and How Do They Work?

LED (Light Emitting Diode) lights are a type of solid-state lighting technology that converts electrical energy directly into light. They have become increasingly popular due to their energy efficiency, long lifespan, and eco-friendliness compared to traditional incandescent and compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs.

An LED light is a semiconductor material, usually made from compounds like gallium, arsenic, or phosphorus. When an electrical current passes through the semiconductor, the movement of electrons within the material generates energy in the form of photons, which are light particles. This process, called electroluminescence, results in light emission from the LED.

The semiconductor material's energy bandgap determines the color of the light emitted by an LED. Different materials have different bandgaps, which produce varying colors of light. LEDs can emit light in various colors, including red, green, blue, and white. White LEDs are usually created by using a blue LED with a phosphor coating, which converts part of the blue light into other colors, ultimately producing white light.

Part 2. 10 Common Problems & Fixes with LED Lighting

Even though LEDs are energy efficient and long-lasting, they can still pose challenges. Here are some common problems with LED lighting and how to fix them:

1. Flickering

Flickering is a common issue with LED lights. It often occurs due to fluctuations in the power supply or using incompatible dimmer switches. In residential settings, flickering might be noticeable when you dim your lights while watching a movie or having a romantic dinner.

To resolve this issue, ensure you use a dimmer switch designed for LED lights or stabilize the power supply. Additionally, investing in high-quality LED bulbs with built-in flicker-free technology can provide a more stable lighting experience.

2. Buzzing

When paired with an incompatible dimmer switch, buzzing or humming sounds may come from LED lights. In office environments, this can be particularly distracting and decrease productivity. Replacing the dimmer switch with one specifically designed for LEDs should solve this problem.

Alternatively, you can remove the dimmer switch altogether and use a standard on/off switch to eliminate the buzzing sound. Ensure that the LED bulbs you purchase are compatible with your chosen dimmer switch to avoid this issue in the first place.

3. Inconsistent Color Temperature

Different LED bulbs may produce inconsistent color temperatures, creating an uneven lighting environment. This can be especially problematic in areas like the living room or kitchen, where uniform lighting is essential.

To fix this, purchase bulbs with the same color temperature from a single manufacturer and replace any mismatched bulbs. Pay attention to the color temperature (measured in Kelvins) when buying LED bulbs and opt for bulbs with a similar rating for a cohesive lighting atmosphere.

4. Inadequate Brightness

LED lights might not provide enough brightness for tasks like reading or working on a computer. This issue can stem from using low-lumen bulbs or not having enough light sources in a room.

To address this problem, select LED bulbs with a higher lumen rating to increase brightness. Additionally, consider adding more light fixtures or employing task-specific lighting solutions, like desk lamps or under-cabinet lighting, to enhance the overall lighting in your space.

5. Overheating

While LED lights generate less heat than incandescent bulbs, but they can still overheat if not installed correctly or lack proper heat dissipation. Overheating can lead to reduced bulb lifespan or, in extreme cases, pose a fire risk.

To prevent overheating, ensure that the LED bulbs have adequate ventilation and are installed in fixtures specifically designed for them. Also, avoid using LED bulbs in enclosed fixtures unless they are explicitly rated for such use.

6. Compatibility Issues with Smart Home Systems

Some LED lights may not work seamlessly with smart home systems, causing connectivity or control issues. For instance, you might not be able to control your LED lights' brightness or color temperature using your smart home app.

To tackle this problem, ensure that you purchase LED bulbs and fixtures compatible with your specific smart home system. Check product specifications and customer reviews for compatibility information before making a purchase.

Sometimes, the problem can be solved by simply resetting the connection between the LED lights and your smart home system.

7. Premature Failure

Occasionally, LED bulbs may fail before their expected lifespan. This could be due to manufacturing defects, poor-quality components, or inadequate heat dissipation. Invest in high-quality LED bulbs from reputable brands to prevent premature failure and ensure proper installation.

If you experience early failure, check the warranty terms and contact the manufacturer for a replacement. Proper maintenance, like cleaning dust and debris from fixtures and ensuring appropriate ventilation, can also help prolong the life of your LED lights.

8. Radio Frequency Interference (RFI)

Some LED lights can cause radio frequency interference, affecting the performance of electronic devices such as Wi-Fi routers, televisions, or radios. This can lead to connectivity issues or signal disruptions in your home.

To minimize RFI, choose LED bulbs with low electromagnetic emissions and ensure they meet Federal Communications Commission (FCC) standards. If you're already experiencing RFI issues, try repositioning your LED lights further away from the affected devices, or consider using a different type of LED light that produces less interference.

9. Ghosting

Ghosting refers to LED lights glowing faintly even when they're switched off. This can happen when the circuit has residual current or the wiring is improperly grounded. Ghosting can be particularly bothersome in bedrooms, where it may disrupt sleep.

To fix this issue, hire a professional electrician to inspect and correct any wiring or grounding problems. Alternatively, you can try using an LED-compatible switch or installing a bypass capacitor to minimize ghosting.

10. Inaccurate Color Rendering

LED lights might not accurately reproduce colors, resulting in a washed-out or unnatural appearance. This can be problematic when using LED lights to showcase artwork or when precise color accuracy is required, such as in photography studios.

To address this issue, look for LED bulbs with a high color rendering index (CRI) rating, which indicates how accurately the light source reproduces colors. Bulbs with a CRI of 90 or above are generally considered to have excellent color rendering capabilities.

Part 3. A Must-Buy LED Light in 2023

One outstanding LED light worth considering is the AiDot Smart Corner Floor Lamp. This versatile and stylish lamp is a fantastic addition to any space, offering various features that make it an excellent choice for modern homes.

Some of the best features of the AiDot Smart Corner Floor Lamp include the following:

• Adjustable Color Temperature:

  you can adjust the color temperature from 2700k-6500k warm/cool white to match your daily lighting needs.

• Amazing Colors:

  With 16 million total colors and 20 lighting effects, this lamp can bring any vibe you want:

• Dazzling Music Mode:

  With the 8 pre-set reactive music modes, the light can dance to every beat of your music.

• Hands-Free Voice Control:

  Integrated with Amazon Alexa, this floor lamp offers voice control for ultimate convenience.

• App Control:

  You can use the AiDot app to control the light and customize the lighting effects the way you like.

• Adjustable Angles:

  The bars support 355° rotation and 15° angle adjustment front and rear, meeting different lighting needs in various scenarios.

• Elaborate Design:

  The metal craft embodies a futuristic techstyle; the weighted base adds more stability; the silicone light strip ensures more vivid color.

[Bonus Now]: Here is an exclusive coupon code only found in blog posts. Save it now (AiDotBG01) and get 10% off at our AiDot mall!

Conclusion

LED lighting has revolutionized the way we illuminate our homes and workspaces, providing energy-efficient, eco-friendly, and long-lasting solutions. However, as with any technology, it's not without its challenges.

By being aware of the common problems associated with LED lighting and implementing the solutions provided in this article, you can ensure a better overall lighting experience in your home or office. Taking the time to research and invest in high-quality LED products, like the AiDot Smart Corner Floor Lamp, will enhance your space aesthetically and provide you with reliable and consistent lighting.

The AiDot Smart Corner Floor Lamp, with its modern design, advanced features, and compatibility with popular smart home systems, is an excellent choice for anyone looking to upgrade their lighting setup. Its integration with Amazon Alexa and Wi-Fi connectivity allows for seamless control, making it a perfect addition to a smart home ecosystem. Moreover, its energy-efficient LED lights and customizable settings offer a versatile lighting solution for various situations and moods.

As we continue to embrace LED technology and its many benefits, it's essential to stay informed about potential issues and solutions. By doing so, we can maximize the advantages of LED lighting while minimizing any drawbacks. For more information on innovative lighting products, visit the AiDot website discover the wide range of smart lights available to enhance and transform your living spaces.

LEDs are appropriate for many lighting applications, they are designed to produce a lot of light from a small form factor while maintaining fantastic efficiency. Here at LEDSupply, there are a variety of LEDs for all kinds of different lighting applications, the trick is knowing how to use them. LED technology is a tad different than other lighting that most people are familiar with. This post is here to explain everything you need to know about LED lighting: how to power LEDs safely so you get the most light and the longest lifetime possible.

What Exactly is an LED?

An LED is a type of diode that turns electrical energy into light. For those that don’t know, a diode is an electrical component that only works in one direction. Basically, an LED is an electrical component that emits light when electricity flows through in one direction, from the Anode (positive side) to the Cathode (negative side). LED is an acronym standing for ‘Light Emitting Diode’. Basically, LEDs are like tiny light bulbs, they just require a lot less power to light up and are much more efficient in producing high light outputs.

LED Types

In general terms, we carry two different types of LEDs:

5mm Through-Hole & Surface Mount.

5mm LEDs

5mm LEDs are diodes inside a 5mm diameter lens with two thin metal legs on the bottom. They are used in applications where a lower amount of light is required. 5mm LEDs also run at much lower drive currents, maxing out at around 30mA, whereas Surface Mount LEDs require a minimum of 350mA. All our 5mm LEDs are from top manufacturers and are available in a variety of colors, intensities, and illumination patterns. Through-hole LEDs are great for small flashlight applications, signage, and anything where you are using a breadboard as they can be used easily with their leads. Check out our guide to setting up 5mm LEDs for more info on these tiny light sources.

Surface Mount LEDs (SMD)

Figure 1 – Bare Emitter

Surface Mount LEDs are diode(s) that can be placed on a substrate (circuit board) with a silicon dome over the diode to protect it (see Fig. 1). We carry high-power Surface Mount LEDs from industry leaders Cree and Luxeon. Both are excellent in our opinion, that is why we carry them after all. Some prefer one over the other but that comes with experience and knowing what to look for. Cree tends to have higher listed Lumen outputs and is a market leader in the High-Power LED sector. Luxeon, on the other hand, has excellent colors and thermal control.

High Power LEDs come as bare emitters (as seen in Fig. 1) or are mounted to a Metal Core Printed Circuit Board (MCPCB). The boards are insulated and contain conductive tracks for easy circuit connections. Our 20mm 1-Up and 3-Up starboard designs are the best sellers. We also offer QuadPod’s which can hold 4 high-power LEDs on a board slightly larger than the 20mm stars (see Fig. 2). All our high-power LED options can be built on a linear design as well. The LuxStrip can house 6 LEDs per foot and is easily connected up to 10 feet long.

Figure 2 – MCPCB Options

Polarity Matters: Wiring LEDs

Electronic polarity indicates whether a circuit is symmetric or not. LEDs are diodes, therefore only allowing current to flow in one direction. When there is no current flow, there will be no light. Thankfully this means that if we wire an LED in backward, it will not burn the whole system up, it just won’t come on.

The positive side of the LED is the Anode and the negative side is the Cathode. Current flows from the anode to the cathode and never in the other direction, so it is important to know how to tell the anode and cathode apart. For surface mount LEDs this is easy as the connections are labeled, but for 5mm LEDs ook for the longer lead which is the anode (positive), take a look at Figure 3 below.

Figure 3 – Finding the anode and cathode of an LED

Color Options

One of the great things about LEDs is the different options and kinds of light you can get from them.

White LEDs

Correlated Color Temperature (CCT) is the process of creating different white light at different temperatures. Color temperature is specified in degrees Kelvin (K), which is a temperature scale in which zero occurs at absolute zero and each degree equals one Kelvin. The lower temperatures from 3,000K to 4,500K tend to be warmer to neutral white. The higher temps 5,000K+ are the cool whites, also known as ‘daylight white’.

Color LEDs

For colors, what really matters is the wavelength in nanometers (nm). For certain applications, colors are needed for the visual effect, but sometimes certain wavelengths are needed for applications like curing, growing, reef tank lighting, and much more. See Fig. 4 for an idea of what wavelengths and temperatures produce certain colors.

Figure 4 – LED colors and color temperature

We try to carry similar color temperatures and wavelengths for each brand and type of LED. You can always find the color or wavelength of our LEDs on the sub-section of the product page and can even search by color from our LEDs dropdown menu on the homepage. In white, we carry 3000K, 4000K, 5000K, and 6500K. As far as colors go, we carry from 400-660nm.

LED Brightness

LEDs are not only known for their colors, they are also a lot brighter than other light sources. Sometimes it is hard to tell how bright an LED will be because it is measured in Lumens. A Lumen is a scientific unit measuring luminous flux or the total amount of visible light from a source. Note that 5mm LEDs are usually listed in millicandelas (mcd). For 5mm LEDs, their viewing angle also affects the light output they give off, for more on that see here.

Why drive current matters…

The amount of light (Lumens) an LED emits depends on how much current is supplied. Current is measured in milliamps (mA) or amps (A). High-power LEDs can take currents from 350mA to 3000mA. LEDs vary on their current ratings so be sure to keep track of this when picking an LED and driver.

Determining the Brightness

Now comes the tricky part, selecting the LED and driver combination that will output the light needed. We have done a lot of the groundwork here, in a post measuring the brightness of each high-power LED at different drive currents. Take note that these are measures for 1-Up stars so if you want more light the 3-Up LEDs are a good option as they are triple the light within the same footprint.

The above resource can always be used for determining the light output from an LED, but finding it manually is not very hard.

To do so, information is needed from the datasheet of the LED. On all of our LED pages, we link to the manufacturer’s datasheet at the bottom of the page.

Example: Finding brightness of Cree XP-L at 2100mA

In this example, we are using the Cree XP-L. First, find the Flux Characteristics table (figure 5). We will touch on binning later which is labeled in the ‘Group’ column, but let us assume we are going to use a cool white XP-L from the highest bin (v5). The highlighted number is the typical flux @ 1050mA which is the current the XP-L is measured at. To the right of that are the typical Lumen numbers for 1500, 2000, and 3000mA drive currents.

Figure 5 – LED Luminous Flux Chart

For the sake of this example, say we want to run this LED with a 2100mA BuckBlock LED driver and we need to find what the light output would be like. When driving an in-between drive current that is not listed, find the relative flux vs. current graph on the datasheet that looks like the graph to the right.

The arrow is the tested (base) output (at 100% relative flux). Following the curve to 2100mA (?) we see that this is a 75% increase in light. Taking the 460 lumens from above and multiplying it by 1.75 we can see that the cool white XP-L running at 2100mA gives off about 805 Lumens.

It may be hard to find the LED and Lumen output needed when switching to LEDs. This is due to the fact that light was always measured by the wattage of a bulb. LEDs have much better efficacy which makes it nearly impossible to measure in this way anymore as a 50 Watt LED will be significantly brighter than a 50 Watt Incandescent. In Figure 7 we show different incandescent bulbs and how many Lumens they give output. This helps give a better idea of the light to expect from an LED and if it will be as much as the old lighting.

Figure 6 – Incandescent Wattage to Lumens

Viewing Angle and Optics

Our 5mm LEDs have listed viewing angles for each so just search for one that will work for you. As far as our surface mount LEDs go, most of them give off a very wide angle at 125 degrees! Luckily, the LED starboards are compatible and easy to use with LED optics. These secondary optics are used to focus the light, they can reflect the light from an LED into spot, medium spot, wide spot, or elliptical and oval patterns.

As seen in Figure 8, 1-Up optics are cone-shaped and require an optic holder. In the case of our LED boards, optic holders have four legs that sit down into the grooves of the star. Triple LED stars are also compatible with Carclo optics, built with three holes in the board for the legs of the optic to fit in.

Figure 7 – LED optics and holders

How to Power LEDs

LEDs are known for having the best efficacy out of all other light sources. Efficacy is the measure of how well a light source produces visible light, also described as Lumens per Watt. In other words, how much light are we getting for our watt of power? To find this, first, find out the wattage of the LED in use. In order to find watts, you need to multiply Forward Voltage (the voltage at which current starts to flow in the normal conducting direction) by drive current in Amps (note that it NEEDS to be in amps…not milliamps). Let’s take a look at the Cree XP-L 1-up LED as an example.

Figure 8 – Forward Voltage of an LED

Say we are running this Cree XP-L at 2000mA. From Figure 8 you can see that at this drive current the forward voltage is 3.15. So to find watts we multiply 3.15 (forward voltage) by 2 A (2000mA = 2 Amps) which comes out to be 6.3 Watts.

So now to find Efficacy, we just need to divide 742 Lumens (the tested amount of Lumens for this LED at 2000mA) by 6.3 Watts. So the Efficacy (Lumens/watt) of this Cree XP-L is 117.8. This is great efficacy but also note Cree boasts that the XLamp XP-L LED has breakthrough efficacy of 200 lumens/watt running at 350mA. It is good to know that the efficacy goes down as you run more current to the LED as this increases heat which does make the LED a bit less efficient. Sometimes you will need to accept this if you need the LED to be very bright, but if you are wanting to get the best efficacy then you should run LEDs at a lower current. This is all helpful in determining how much power your applications will need as well as figuring out energy savings down the road.

A little bit more on LED drivers

This means that you need to find an LED driver that has the capability of driving LEDs at the current you need in order to get the amount of Lumens you’d like. An LED Driver is an electrical device that regulates the power to an LED or string(s) of LEDs. The driver responds to the changing needs of the LED by supplying a constant amount of power to the LED as its electrical properties change with the temperature. A good analogy in understanding this is that of a car on cruise control. As the car (LED) goes through hills and valleys (temperature changes), the cruise control (driver) makes sure it stays at a steady speed (light), regulating the gas (power) needed in doing so. The driver is so important because LEDs require very specific electrical power in order to operate properly. If the voltage supplied to the LED is lower than required, very little current runs through the junction, resulting in low light and poor performance. On the other hand, if the voltage is too great, too much current flows to the LED and it can overheat and be severely damaged or fail completely (thermal runaway). Always make sure you check the LEDs datasheet so you know what current is recommended to avoid these issues.

How much voltage do I need to light up an LED?

This is a common question asked and is actually pretty easy to figure out. All you need to know is your LED(s) forward voltage. If you have multiple LEDs in series then you need to take into account all the forward voltages combined, if you have a parallel circuit then you only need to take into account the forward voltage of how many LEDs you have per string. For more on wiring setups, see here. It is a good idea to keep at least a 2 volt overhead as some drivers (like the LuxDrive drivers) require this for the driver to work properly. So if your total forward voltage for a series circuit is 9.55, you should be safe with a 12V supply. For off-line drivers (AC input) just know the output voltage they are rated at and make sure you are covered, so an AC input driver with an output range of 3-12VDC would work for this application as well.

Heat Control

Finding the wattage of your system also helps you know more about the heat control you will need. Since these LEDs are high-power, they do create heat which can be very bad as you can learn here. Too much heat will make the LEDs produce less light as well as cut down on the lifetime. We always recommend using a heatsink and like to say to use about 3 square inches for every watt of LEDs. For larger wattages, I would recommend looking for a heatsink that is recommended for the number of watts you are running.

LED Binning & Quality

With the LED industry growing at a pretty rapid pace right now, it is important to understand the difference in LEDs out there. This is a common question as LEDs can range from very cheap to very expensive. I’d be careful in buying cheap LEDs as you always get what you pay for, yes the LEDs might work great at first but they usually tend not to last as long or will burn out fast because of poor testing.

All the LEDs carried here at LEDSupply are carefully selected. We only stock the best brands and color temperatures. Our vast experience in the industry has helped us learn the importance of quality manufacturing and binning of LEDs as well. In the manufacturing of LEDs, there is a variation of performance around average values in the technical datasheets. For this reason, manufacturers bin the LEDs for luminous flux, color, and forward voltage. We select the bins with the highest luminous flux (visible light) and lowest forward voltage, as this makes sure we have the LEDs with the best efficacy. A large amount of LED products are cheaply made and not documented correctly, which leads to many failed projects and then makes people think LEDs actually don’t last as long as they are said to. With our experience and buying power, we are able to offer the best products at reasonable prices.

This should give you a good start to understanding LEDs and what to look for, but if you have more questions or would like more info on a certain product and whether it would work for you, we are here to help. Just email us at sales@LEDSupply.com or call us at (802) 728-6031 to chat with our very knowledgeable Tech Support Team.