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LED lights are often used for decorative purposes. Some LED strip lights can burn when touched, causing fire hazards at times.
We’ve all seen them – strings of LED lights draped along the roof ridges in homes and festive holiday displays, to name just a few places.
These lights’ lower voltage requirements and energy efficiency have made LEDs ideal for lighting applications.
However, certain LED strip lights can be hazardous for fire safety. Many consumer complaints about LED strip light fires have been reported recently.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that the number of home fires linked to Christmas tree lights has increased significantly in recent years, which is disconcerting.
Many LED strip lights are often used in decorative applications such as holiday light displays.
This article explores the causes of LED strip lights fires and how to prevent them from occurring.
Even though they’re hot to the touch, the chance of led strip lights catching fire is slim.
However, there are cases of LED strip lighting causing fires.
The most common causes for LED strip light fires is product malfunction and the installation of led strips in an area where their presence or absence can lead to an electrical fire hazard:
Malfunctioning products: Some companies cut corners during production and use cheap components susceptible to overheating; this can cause the LED strip lights to malfunction or melt.
Poor installation: Some products are subject to overheating if installed in an area that lacks proper ventilation.
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LED strip lights are known for their energy efficiency, which means they generate very little heat.
To create light, LED strips use electricity to pass through semiconductor material in the form of electrons.
This process creates light and heats up the semiconductor material (which can be dangerous in high quantities).
However, the low-voltage system used in strip lighting means the amount of heat generated is minimal.
As mentioned earlier, LED strip lights could potentially short circuit due to poor installation or malfunctioning components. If this occurs, the heat generated from the electrical current could lead to the melting and fire associated with led strip lights.
When you contact a 40 degrees C substance, your body heat will be raised. Your skin can burn if the temperature rises above 50 degrees C.
Even though the heat generated by LED strip lights is minimal, they can be hot to touch.
Generally, LED strips are rated for a maximum temperature of about 45°C (113°F).
This means that even if the product becomes very warm during use, it shouldn’t catch fire or melt.
However, it would be best to exercise caution when touching the strip since they are considered hazardous.
You should also remember not to install LED strips near flammable materials or leave them switched on unattended.
An LED strip light generates a relatively small amount of heat, limiting the exposure to circuit boards during use.
Most cause little harm to circuit boards as long as they’re used for their intended purposes.
When it comes to led strip lights catching fire or melting due to overheating, this is typically caused by either product malfunction or poor installation.
When faulty or cheap components are used, this can result in damage to an LED strip light that eventually leads to product malfunction and overheating. Many of these malfunctions can be resolved by using quality components designed for use in strip lighting systems.
Poor installations where the strip is subject to heat or lacks ventilation cause some products to malfunction.
However, because LED strip lights are low voltage, they require significantly less energy than traditional lightbulbs.
This means the heat generated isn’t enough to cause much harm unless the products are left on for long periods of time, or there is a poor installation that causes overheating.
Wire size and circuit Amperage are the two main factors determining the amount of energy an electrical circuit can handle.
Since LED strip lighting operates at a low voltage, it doesn’t require much power to function and operates efficiently.
However, because these products use electricity to pass through semiconductor material in order to generate light, heat is generated during use.
This low-voltage system means it’s highly unlikely that the power will overheat and damage the strip lights. The amount of energy passing through a continuous strip is low. This can be improved if you install them in sections rather than keeping them connected for an extended period of time (like with under cabinet lighting).
However, it’s always best to ensure the wire size matches up to circuit Amperage.
If the wire isn’t large enough for the amount of energy required, it can lead to overheating and damage.
The amp rating is determined by several elements, including the length and quantity of strip lights. As a result, it’s vital to figure out the maximum current on the circuit before installation and double-check the required wire size.
This is why you must use quality products manufactured by reputable brands that use top-quality components.
Using the wrong type of connector can damage your LED strip lights or lead to malfunctions in operation.
You must use the correct wire size and circuit Amperage with strip lighting kits to not overheat.
When buying connectors for led strips, be sure you know the amperage of your LED strip lighting system and buy a connector that matches.
This will prevent overheating, which leads to product malfunction or damage.
If you’re unsure about your Amps, it’s best to consult an electrician before buying connectors for your led strip lights.
They can make sure you choose a connector that matches your product.
Be sure to use a positive and negative terminal when connecting the wires to the strip lights, regardless of how they’re configured in the system.
In most cases, LED strip lighting systems require you to wire power separately from the ground.
You should also remember not to install LED strips near flammable objects, including clothing or anything with a burning risk.
Fire can break out if these items are subject to excessive heat over time.
There are also some common issues about led lights. You can read them to know more.
Different manufacturers will provide different warranties with their LED strip lighting kits.
However, most of them recommend using the product for 12 hours every day. If you only use your strip lights for a couple of hours in the evening or on weekends, they’ll generally last much longer than if they’re used all day.
As mentioned earlier, the heat generated during use causes LEDs to malfunction. The more power that’s being used, the more heat will be created.
However, this isn’t harmful to the housed LED chips themselves. Instead, it’s usually caused by poor installation or issues with manufacturer products.
You must have an electrician install your LED strip lighting kit.
As mentioned earlier, heat can also be caused by using the wrong type of connector for an under cabinet lighting system.
This could lead to overheating and malfunction after a few months of use.
You must find out the requirements of your led strip lights before installing them.
Although LED strips are generally safe, there’s always the chance that a manufacturing defect or faulty installation could lead to a fire.
Here are some steps you can follow:
1. Always use the correct power source for LED strip lights
Ensure that the power supply is designed to provide energy for your particular product. Do not plug or unplug during operation as this may damage components and lead to malfunctions. Ensure the system has adequate ventilation for cooling before installing, operating, and maintaining led strip lights.
2. Keep the LED strip lighting away from flammable materials, heat sources, and direct sunlight
There should be enough space around the product to prevent overheating caused by lack of ventilation or exposure to other heat sources. Remember that warmth can cause led strip to malfunction, so avoid taking them into enclosed spaces where they may be subject to higher temperatures.
3. Turn off LED strip lights when adding more lights or leaving them unattended
Ensure that your light system is designed for continuous use, even if you will be away from the installation for some time.
4. Inspect the led strip regularly and adjust as required
Regularly inspect the product for damage and ensure it’s firmly connected to other components. Look for any signs of melting or discoloration, which could indicate that led strip lights are malfunctioning or being subjected to higher temperatures than designed.
5. If the LED strip light switches off during operation, disconnect power immediately
The failure could be due to a poor quality product, a problem with the installation, or other issues. If left on for an extended period of time, led strip lights may overheat and malfunction or catch fire due to lack of ventilation.
6. Color Temperature
Use color temperature less than 5000K so that lights will not appear too bright and harsh. We recommended using LED strip lights with built-in current limiting resistors and voltage protection to ensure your product is functional and safe for use in your installation.
7. Use Good Quality Dimmers
Dimmers are used to adjust the brightness of the LEDs. As a result, you may reduce the power supply of the LEDs to ensure proper functioning. In addition, for applications like cabinet lighting, use infrared switches instead of physical buttons or remote controls. This lowers the consumption of light and minimizes heat generation.
Preventing led strip malfunctions and fire hazards with quality products. For more information about our “LED Light Buying Guide.”
The LED lights can catch fire if they are not installed correctly. It is important to use the right size of wire and connectors when installing or replacing these fixtures for safety purposes.
You should also take time to clean your light fixture before installation, as this will help prevent potential fires from starting due to dust buildup on the bulb’s surface.
Make sure you know how much power your lighting needs so that it doesn’t overload an electrical system- another cause of house fires!
If you have any questions about wiring or installation, contact our experts at the number below! We look forward to hearing from you soon!
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