6 Reasons Blue LED Lights Burn Out First


Why Do Blue LED Lights Burn Out First?

Have you ever noticed that blue LED lights seem to burn out the fastest? It’s not just your imagination- blue LEDs actually do have a shorter lifespan than other colors. But why is this?

Here’s a list of 6 possible reasons why blue led lights burn out first;

  • Blue LED Lights Get Excessive Use
  • Blue LED Lights Have A Shorter Wavelength
  • The Chemical Gallium Nitride (GaN) Is Added To Blue LED Lights
  • Heat Can Cause Blue LED Lights To Burn Out Faster
  • Blue LED Lights May Be More Susceptible To Electrostatic Discharge
  • Blue LED Lights May Be More Sensitive To Voltage Fluctuations

Before we take a closer look at each of these reasons to see why they might cause blue LED lights to have a shorter lifespan, let’s first address a few related issues first.

What Is So Special About Blue LED?

While we tend to think of LED lights as a relatively new technology, they’ve actually been around for quite some time.

The first LEDs were developed in the early 1960s, but it wasn’t until the mid-1990s that blue LEDs became possible. This milestone is important because blue light is essential for creating white light.

You see, when you combine blue light with yellow light, you get white light. This is the same way that sunlight works- the sun emits a broad spectrum of colors, including both blue and yellow light, which combine to create the white light that we see every day.

But why is it so important to have blue light in order to create white light? It all has to do with the color rendering index, or CRI.

The CRI is a measure of how well a light source is able to render colors. A higher CRI means that colors will appear more vibrant and true-to-life under that light, while a lower CRI means that colors will appear more dull and muted.

To get a CRI of 100, which is the highest possible CRI, you need a light source that emits blue light. This is why blue LEDs are so important- without them, it would be impossible to create a white LED light with a high CRI.

What Does It Mean When Your LED Lights Are Blue?

Now that we know a little bit more about blue LEDs, you might be wondering what it actually means when your LED lights are blue. After all, most LED lights are white- so what does it mean if they’re blue?

Generally speaking, there are two different types of blue LED lights- those with a high CRI, and those with a low CRI.

High CRI blue LEDs are used in applications where it’s important to have accurate color renderings, such as in retail stores or art galleries. Low CRI blue LEDs are typically used in applications where color isn’t as important, such as in task lighting or general illumination.

So, if you’re noticing that your blue LED lights seem to be burning out faster than other colors, it’s likely because they have a low CRI.

This isn’t necessarily a bad thing- after all, low CRI LEDs are still quite efficient and can provide plenty of light. However, it is something to keep in mind if you’re noticing that your blue LED lights don’t seem to last as long as other colors.

The Reasons Why Blue LED Lights Burn Out First

So now that we understand a little bit more about blue LEDs let’s take a closer look at each of the six reasons why they might have a shorter lifespan than other colors.

1. Blue LED Lights Get Excessive Use

This is probably the most common reason why blue LED lights burn out first. They’re just used more often than other colors, so they have a higher chance of failure.

The vast majority of LEDs use high-intensity blue LEDs that illuminate a yellow phosphor to create white light.

This is why blue LEDs are used in most applications that require white light, such as headlights, flashlights, and indoor lighting.

Since blue LEDs are used so often, they have a higher chance of failure due to excessive use. However, this isn’t the only reason why blue LED lights burn out first.

Next, we’ll look at why blue LED lights have a shorter wavelength.

2. Blue LED Lights Have A Shorter Wavelength

The wavelength of light is measured in nanometers (nm), with blue light having a shorter wavelength than other colors. In fact, the wavelength of blue light is about 450 nm, while the wavelength of red light is about 700 nm.

This shorter wavelength makes blue light more energetic than other colors, which can cause it to break down quicker. In addition, the shorter wavelength also makes blue light more susceptible to environmental factors such as dust and humidity.

Now that we’ve looked at why blue LED lights have a shorter lifespan due to their wavelength let’s take a look at another reason- the chemical gallium nitride.

3. The Chemical Gallium Nitride (GaN) Added To Blue LED Lights

The chemical Gallium Nitride (GaN) is used to produce blue LED lights, and it’s also what gives them their color. GaN is a semiconductor material that’s used in high-powered LEDs and lasers.

While GaN is great for creating blue LED lights, it’s also one of the reasons why they burn out faster. This is because GaN has a relatively high rate of defects, which can cause the material to break down over time.

In addition, GaN is also sensitive to heat and humidity. This means that if blue LED lights get too hot or too humid, the GaN can break down and cause the light to burn out.

4. Heat Can Cause Blue LED Lights To Burn Out Faster

As we mentioned before, blue LED lights have a shorter wavelength than other colors. This makes them more energetic and also more susceptible to heat.

Too much heat can cause the material in blue LED lights to break down, which will shorten their lifespan. In addition, heat can also cause the electrical components in LED lights to fail.

This is why it’s important to keep LED lights cool and to avoid using them in hot environments. On top of all this, heat can also cause blue LED lights to produce less light.

This is because when the material in LEDs gets too hot, it starts to emit lower levels of light. So not only does heat cause blue LED lights to burn out faster, but it also decreases their output over time.

5. Blue LED Lights May Be More Susceptible To Electrostatic Discharge

Electrostatic discharge (ESD) is a sudden flow of electricity between two electrically charged objects. It can happen when you touch something after walking on a carpet or when you take off a sweater.

While ESD can happen with any type of LED light, it’s more likely to happen with blue LED lights. This is because the material in blue LED lights (GaN) is more conductive than the materials used in other colors of LEDs.

This means that when ESD happens, it can cause damage to the material in blue LED lights, which will shorten their lifespan.

6. Blue LED Lights May Be More Susceptible To Voltage Fluctuations

Voltage fluctuations are sudden changes in the voltage of an electrical supply. They can happen when there’s a problem with the power grid or when there’s a sudden change in demand for electricity.

Like ESD, voltage fluctuations can cause damage to the material in blue LED lights. This is because the material in blue LED lights is more conductive than the materials used in other colors of LEDs.

Voltage fluctuations can also cause the electrical components in LED lights to fail. This means that voltage fluctuations can shorten the lifespan of blue LED lights and cause them to produce less light over time.

Conclusion

So, why do blue LED lights burn out first? There are a few reasons: their shorter wavelength, the chemical GaN, and exposure to heat and humidity. All of these factors can cause the material in blue LED lights to break down, which will shorten their lifespan.

FAQs

Q: Why did my blue LED lights stop working?

A: There are a few reasons why blue LED lights might stop working. It could be because of their shorter wavelength, the chemical GaN, exposure to heat and humidity, or voltage fluctuations.

Q: How can I make my blue LED lights last longer?

A: There are a few things you can do to make your blue LED lights last longer. First, make sure to keep them cool and avoid using them in hot environments. Second, don’t expose them to electrostatic discharge or voltage fluctuations.

Q: What are some other reasons why LED lights burn out?

A: Some other reasons why LED lights might burn out are because of their shorter lifespan, exposure to heat, or voltage fluctuations.

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