Have you ever noticed that your LED lights seem to dim over time? You’re not alone. This is a common issue with LED lights, and various factors can cause it. In this article, we will explore why LED lights dim over time, and we will offer some tips on how to prevent this from happening.
To answer our question of the day briefly, led light will dim over time due to the following reasons;
- Led Bulb Sockets Maybe Loose
- Using Incompatible Led Dimmer Switches
- Lumen Degradation
- Too Much Heat Exposure
- The Led Bulb Was Screwed In Too Tightly
- Factory Defects
- The Led Bulb’s Contact May Have Corroded
- Too Much Heat Exposure
- Incompatible Components
- Led Connection Restrictions
- Excessive Current
- Driver Failure
If you want to learn how each of these factors can contribute to your leds dimming over time, keep reading. As I mentioned before, I will also share some tips on how to prevent this from happening. Let’s get started!
1. Led Bulb Sockets May Have Been Loose
One of the most common reasons why leds dim over time is because the bulb sockets may have become loose.
Over time, the vibration from using the light can cause the socket to loosen, which can eventually lead to a loss of connection between the bulb and the socket.
While this is a common cause of leds dimming over time, it is also one of the easiest to fix. First, check the bulb sockets to make sure they are tight, and if they are loose, tighten them up.
You may also want to use a socket tightening tool to help you get a good grip on the socket.
2. Using Incompatible Led Dimmer Switches
We all love how functional and convenient led dimmer switches are. They allow us to control the amount of light that we need, and they can help save energy.
However, not all led dimmer switches are compatible with all types of led bulbs. Using an incompatible dimmer switch is one of the most common causes of leds dimming over time.
If you do not get the right kind of dimmer switch for your leds, it can cause the bulbs to dim over time, and eventually, they will burn out completely.
To avoid this, make sure you check the compatibility of the dimmer switch with your led bulbs before you purchase them.
You can usually find this information on the packaging or in the product manual. Your best bet is to purchase the dimmer switch from the same company that made your led bulbs. That way, you can be sure that they will work together without issues.
3. Lumen Degradation
Naturally, all light bulbs will degrade and produce less light over time. This is due to several factors, such as the build-up of dirt and debris on the bulb or the aging of the materials used to make the bulb.
This degradation process is known as lumen depreciation, and it is one of the reasons why leds dim over time. As a result, most leds will come at a rating of L70.
This means that after 70% of their expected lifespan, the bulb will have degraded to the point where it produces only 30% of the light it did when it was new. So, if you notice that your leds are dimming over time, it could be due to lumen depreciation.
Unfortunately, there is no way to prevent lumen depreciation from happening. However, you can slow it down by cleaning your bulbs regularly and keeping them free of dirt and debris.
You can also extend the life of your bulbs by using lower power settings. This will help to prevent the bulb from overheating and degrading faster.
4. Too Much Heat Exposure
Excessive heat exposure can cause leds to dim over time, and eventually, they will burn out completely. This is because leds are made of sensitive materials that can be damaged by excessive heat.
One of the arch-enemies of leds is heat. This is why led lights are often made to have heat sinks and heat dissipation mechanisms to dissipate the heat away from the sensitive components.
If you notice that your leds are dimming over time, it could be because they are being exposed to too much heat. To prevent this, make sure you keep your leds away from heat sources, such as direct sunlight or hot water pipes.
You should also make sure that the area around your leds is well-ventilated so that the heat can dissipate quickly.
5. The Led Bulb Was Screwed In Too Tightly
Just as loose led bulbs can cause dimming over time, so can led bulbs that were screwed in too tightly. When you screw in an led bulb too tightly, it can stress the bulb’s internal components, which can eventually lead to a loss of connection between the bulb and the socket.
This can cause the bulb to flicker or dim over time. Make sure your led bulbs are snugged in to prevent this, but not too tight.
You can also use a socket tightening tool to help you get the perfect snugness on your led bulbs.
6. Factory Defects
Other causes of early LED failure can be attributed to poor manufacturing. For example, a bad batch of LEDs may have incorrect doping levels, which can cause electrical leakage and early failure.
In some cases, the manufacturing process may introduce impurities into the semiconductor material, which can also cause premature device dimming over time.
This is typically common among low-quality, off-brand LEDs. When searching for new LED bulbs, do your research and buy from reputable led light manufacturers to avoid any quality issues.
7. The Led Bulb’s Contact May Have Corroded
Over time, the contact between the led bulb and the socket can become corroded. This is usually due to dirt, dust, or moisture build-up. Of all the things that cause this to happen, humidity is one of the biggest culprits.
When the contact between the bulb and the socket becomes corroded, it can cause a loss of connection, which can eventually lead to flickering or dimming over time.
To prevent this, make sure you keep your led bulbs clean and free of dirt, dust, and moisture.
8. Incompatible Components
In some cases, the led bulbs may be incompatible with the socket or other components in the circuit.
This can cause many problems, including flickering, dimming over time, or complete failure.
The way you figure this out can be technical, so it might be a good idea to ask an electrician or someone familiar with electrical circuits. Once you know the problem, you can then take steps to fix it.
9. Led Connection Restrictions
Another common cause of led dimming over time can be due to restrictions in the connection between the LED and the socket. This often has to do with the amount of voltage the led receives.
When the voltage is too low, it can cause the led to dim over time. This is because the led isn’t getting enough power to function properly. You need an electrician to help you figure this one out and fix it.
10. Excessive Current
If an LED is supplied with too much current, it will blow out. This is usually the result of a wiring error but can also be caused by using the wrong type of power supply. Also, if an led is left on for too long, it will eventually burn out and become dim over time.
So right from the get-go, you want to make sure the quality of wiring or electrical components you’re using is up to par. This will help prevent any led blowouts and premature dimming over time.
11. Voltage Spikes
My dad was an electrician, and he always told me that one of the main causes of led dimming over time is voltage spikes. So, for example, when we lived in Africa, the power would go out all the time, and when it came back on, there would be these big voltage spikes.
A voltage spike is a sudden increase in voltage that can damage electrical components, including LEDs. When a voltage spike damages an LED, it can cause the LED to flicker or dim over time.
So if you live in an area with a lot of power outages or surges, you might want to invest in a surge protector for your led.
12. Driver Failure
Leds have driver circuits that provide the led with the correct amount of current. When the driver circuit fails, it can cause the led to dim over time.
Driver failure is usually caused by poor manufacturing but can also be caused by voltage spikes, excessive current, or incompatible components.
If you think your LED might be failing due to driver failure, you’ll need to replace the driver circuit. But, again, this is a job for an electrician or someone familiar with electrical circuits.
How To Prevent Leds From Getting Dim
Now that we know some of the reasons why LED lights dim over time let’s take a look at how we can prevent this from happening. Here are some tips to follow:
- First, regularly check your led bulbs to ensure that they are screwed in tightly.
- Use high-quality led bulbs and components to avoid any compatibility issues.
- Make sure your led bulbs are getting the correct amount of voltage.
- Replace any damaged or incompatible components.
- Keep your leds clean and free of dirt, dust, and moisture.
- Finally, invest in a surge protector if you live in an area with many power outages or surges.
By following these tips, you can extend the life of your led bulbs and slow them down from dimming over time.
Final Thoughts
Dimming led bulbs is a common problem caused by a number of different factors. In most cases, it’s due to heat, poor manufacturing, incompatible components, voltage spikes, or driver failure.
By following the tips in this article, you can prevent or slow down your led bulbs from dimming over time and extend their lifespan. Thanks for reading!
FAQs
Q: Can all leds dim over time?
A: While all leds can eventually dim over time, some types of leds are more susceptible to this problem than others. For example, cheap or poorly made leds are more likely to dim sooner than high-quality ones.
Q: How do I know if my led is dimming?
A: One way to tell if your led is dimming is to compare it to a new one. If it’s noticeably dimmer, then it’s probably time to replace it. You can also try testing it with a multimeter to see if the voltage is correct.
Q: Is it safe to use dimmed leds?
A: While dimmed leds are safe to use, they can shorten the lifespan of your bulb. So if you’re using them frequently, you might want to consider investing in higher-quality bulbs that are less likely to dim over time.
Q: Can I repair a dimming led?
A: In most cases, you’ll need to replace the entire bulb if it’s dimming. However, if you think the problem is with the driver circuit, you can try replacing that. But this is a job for an electrician or someone familiar with electrical circuits.
