The technology that drives LEDs (light
emitting diodes) is called solid state lighting or SSL. This means
light is not emitted from a vacuum (as is the case with incandescent
lights) or from a gas (like CFL lights), but from something solid—
a semiconductor.
A plethora of benefits ensures LEDs will outperform traditional
forms of lighting in almost every area. This list has largely been
dominated by their cost-effectiveness, long lifespan and zero
maintenance requirements, but today we will take a look at LED lighting from a safety perspective and, more specifically, in terms of their fire risk.
So, what can cause a bulb to create fire?
Temperature and, more specifically, overheating. Let’s take a look at why it is highly unlikely that an LED bulb will overheat and cause a fire to break out, and what you can do to minimise your risk of electrical fire.
LEDs Maintain a Relatively Low Temperature
LED light bulbs might be hot to the touch, but they are nowhere near as hot as CFL, halogen or incandescent bulbs. High quality LED light
bulbs produce light at significantly lower running temperatures than
traditional or “previous generation” bulbs. Traditional 'tungsten' bulbs
use a filament to heat up, which loses lots of power through heat
emissions. Furthermore, LEDs do not generate heat as infrared radiation
like incandescent bulbs.
Because ambient temperature is not affected by LED lights, it makes
them suitable for use in small and contained places, or temperature
controlled environments. Maintaining relatively low temperatures is also
necessary for colour control. As soon as an LED becomes too hot, it can
affect its colour rendering.
LED Bulbs Dissipate Heat
Comparatively speaking, the hottest part of an LED is only half the
temperature of a halogen or incandescent bulb of equivalent brightness.
They are also around 20% cooler than CLF light bulbs. The reason for
this is LED technology uses a heat sink, located at the bulb’s base,
which draws most of the heat to one place, and keeps the electronics
relatively cool. And, keeping the bulb cool is one of the reasons LEDs
have long lifespans. The other reason is simply that an LED does not
waste its energy through heat, and the bulk of it is used to provide
light.
LEDs produce heat, but it’s held internally. Traditional and CFL lights lose between 60% and 95% of their power input to heat.
Halogen and Incandescent Fire-Starters
By contrast, high wattage halogen tubes can produce up to four
times more heat than your standard incandescent light bulb. Sometimes
exceeding 1,200 degrees, a 500-watt halogen light poses a very serious
fire concern, especially in a home where curtains, carpets and household
furniture can help a fire run out of control very quickly. And
unfortunately, this is known from past experiences.
Halogen lights were singlehandedly responsible for $90 million in
damage to Windsor Castle in 1992. And, a $450,000 halogen lamp fire in
1995 at Arkansas’ Hendrix College in the US resulted in halogen pole
lamps being banned in a number of US dormitories.
Incandescent bulbs also get really hot, and run the risk of
overheating. Incandescent bulbs get so hot; in fact, they’re used as
heat sources themselves. Some examples include; as heaters for reptiles
and for poultry incubation. They have also started many fires and caused
loss and destruction.
CFLs are not totally exempt from being potential fire hazards
either. There are reports of burning from ballasts once CFLs reach the
end of their life span.
LEDs Consume Very Little Power
Low power consumption not only results in cost savings for
home-owners who implement LEDs, it also makes them significantly safer
than previous generation bulbs. Because they require a lot less power to
run through them, the chances of them overheating are significantly
lower.
Safety First
Regardless of the type of bulb you install in your home, there are
certain safety measures you can adopt to minimise your risk of
electrical fires.
Check Your Wiring
Electrical fires are a common cause of fires, but this is often
because of bad wiring, not the type of bulb in use. It’s always a good
idea to have an electrician assess the wiring, particularly if you live
in an old house, move into a new house or if there is evidence of
rodents. Sometimes rodents chew through insulation wires and this can
cause a short.
Purchase Fire-Rated LED Fittings
While building regulations only require ceilings with escape rooms
above them to be fitted with fire-rated LED fittings, if the issue is a
concern for you, have them installed throughout your home wherever you
have down light or ceiling light fittings.
Connect Your LEDs in Series with a Resistor
LED bulbs are current-driven devices, and best practices dictate
they should always be connected with a resistor in series, and never in
parallel. As LEDs warm up, they become more conductive and, if they are
connected in parallel, you run the risk of damaging them by overloading
the current.
Don’t Enclose Your Bulbs in Fixtures
By enclosing your light bulbs in light fixtures, you can prevent
the heat from dissipating properly, increasing the chances of the bulb
overheating. If you want to play it safe, avoid doing this.
Buy High Quality Bulbs
Sure, you can get great deals on eBay and pay significantly less
for your LEDs, but you are not getting a warranty or a local support
desk if the product does not live up to your expectations. It is worth
knowing that masses of LEDs are produced in China and are cheaply priced
on eBay. They probably won’t look any different, but the discrepancy in
quality is worth thinking about.
While it is possible for any electronic device to malfunction,
there is a higher likelihood of light bulbs other than LEDs
overheating. Because LEDs emit significantly lower temperatures than
previous generation bulbs, and dissipate their heat, their chances of
overheating are very low
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