{"id":1034,"date":"2022-04-22T04:52:53","date_gmt":"2022-04-22T02:52:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ledlightplanet.com\/?p=1034"},"modified":"2022-04-30T17:50:30","modified_gmt":"2022-04-30T15:50:30","slug":"does-steam-affect-led-strip-lights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ledlightplanet.com\/does-steam-affect-led-strip-lights\/","title":{"rendered":"Does Steam Affect Led Strip Lights? (The Experts Opinion!)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

LED strips are a great way to add some extra light to your home. They come in a variety of colors and styles and can be used for a variety of purposes. But do you know what happens when they come into contact with steam? In this article, we will explore the effects of steam on LED strips and provide some tips on how to keep them working their best.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To briefly answer the question of the day: Yes, steam can affect LED strip lights. Why? Because led strip lights cannot withstand high temperatures. When exposed to high temperatures above 140\u00b0F the semiconductors of the led strip lights will degrade leading to a lifespan less than the stipulated 50,000 hours.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, this also means steam temperatures below 140\u00b0F will not have any effect on your LED strips. You can safely use led strip lights in high steam temperatures between 100\u00b0F and 140\u00b0F. So led strip lights will be great for infrared saunas, bathrooms, kitchens, or other rooms with relatively high humidity.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the honest truth is that led strip lights work best in cooler environments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To learn more about how steam affects led strip lights, how to keep your LED strips in top condition, and the perfect ways around steam, read on!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Does Steam Affect Led Strip Lights?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Steam can have a lot of impact on LED strip lights. Below are some of the ways that steam can affect LED strips:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. The Led Strip Light Will Have A Short Lifespan<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

To kick things off, let\u2019s look at the most common way that steam affects LED lights \u2013 by shortening their lifespan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we briefly mentioned before, when exposed to high temperatures above 140\u00b0F, the semiconductors of the led strip light will degrade. This process is known as \u201cthermal runaway\u201d and it essentially means that the led strip light will stop working long before its expected lifespan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The good news is that this only happens at temperatures above 140\u00b0F. So, if you\u2019re using your led strip lights in a room with steam, as long as the temperature doesn\u2019t exceed 140\u00b0F, you should be fine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, it\u2019s worth noting that the lifespan of your led strip lights will be reduced the closer the temperature gets to 140\u00b0F. So, if you\u2019re using your led strip lights in a room with steam and the temperature is regularly reaching 130\u00b0F, you can expect them to only last for around half of their expected lifespan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. The Adhesive Backing Becomes Less Effective<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another way that steam can affect LED strip lights is by causing the adhesive backing to become less effective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The adhesive backing on led strip lights is designed to hold the lights in place, even in high temperatures. However, when exposed to a lot of steam over a long period, the adhesive can become weaker and eventually stop working altogether.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This means that if you\u2019re using your led strip lights in a room with steam, you may need to reapply the adhesive every so often to make sure that they stay in place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We can all understand how frustrating this can be, which is why we recommend using other methods to secure your led strip lights if you\u2019re going to be using them in a steamy environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. The Waterproofing On The LED Strip Light Can Be Compromised<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When you\u2019re using LED strip lights in a room with steam, there\u2019s always the possibility that some water could get onto the lights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Steam particles are small enough to penetrate the waterproof coating on most led strip lights. Once the waterproofing has been compromised, it\u2019s only a matter of time before the water starts seeping in and causing problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The good news is that this usually only happens if the led strip lights are directly exposed to steam for long periods of time. So, if you\u2019re using your led strip lights in a room with steam, make sure that they\u2019re not in direct contact with the steam source.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Better yet, use a led strip light that has been specifically designed for use in high humidity environments. These lights have a much more robust waterproof coating that can withstand long-term exposure to steam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A good example is led strip lights with IP ratings of 65<\/a> or higher. IP65 led strip lights are designed to be used in high humidity environments and can withstand direct contact with water for long periods of time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. The Light Output of the LEDs Can Be Diminished<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Steam can also affect the light output of the LEDs. When exposed to steam, the lens on the LED can become foggy and cause the light output to be diminished.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is because the water vapor in the air condenses on the cold surface of the lens and causes a film of water to form. This film of water then diffuses the light that is emitted by the LED, causing it to appear dimmer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The good news is that this effect is only temporary and will go away once the lens has had a chance to dry. However, if you\u2019re using your led strip lights in a room with constant steam, you may need to wipe the lens down every so often to keep the light output at its maximum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. The Color of the LEDs May Change<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Lastly, steam can also cause the color of the led strip light to change. When exposed to steam, the wavelength of the light that is emitted by the LEDs can shift.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is because water vapor absorbs and scatters light in a way that changes its wavelength. The result is that the light that is emitted by the LEDs will appear to be a different color than it did before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Again, this is not a permanent change and the led strip lights will return to their original color once they are no longer exposed to steam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How To Prevent Steam From Affecting Led Strip Lights?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Now that we\u2019ve looked at how steam can affect LED strip lights, let\u2019s take a look at some ways to prevent it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n