What influences the lifespan of an LED Light?
The longer a light source is used, the greater the economic advantage and the green footprint. Depending on the system design, minimal decrease in luminous flux over time is a normal process, the components are getting down. When this process is really slow, the system is staying maintenance free for a long time.
LEDs are better than a lot of light sources in already many applications. To keep the system working properly, you have to watch some points carefully when designing or choosing LED systems.
Heat
High temperatures effect the life cycle and luminous flux of a LED. Heat sinks prevent the system of getting too hot. Too hot means, the allowed ambient temperature of the LED is exceeded. The cooler the ambient temperature, the longer the LED is working efficiently and the lighting quality is staying at a high level.
Mechanical Effects
Mechanical tension during the manufacturing, assembling or just handling the LED effects the operating lifetime or even worse destroys the LED. Pay attention to ESD, electrostatic discharge, which causes a very short but high current pulse. The LEDs as well as the LED driver can be damaged by ESDs with a few volts.
Efficiency
LEDs and LED modules are produced and driven within a specific current range. You have the possibility to supply the LED according to its features (see datasheet) with different currents from 350mA to 500mA, as an example. A lot of systems drive the LED at the upper end of the current range. But pay attention, the lower the current the less energy is released, the lower the heat production and the more efficient the system is working. In the end the LED module is operating much longer too.
Humidity
The LED itself is quite strong according to damp surroundings, but the metal parts, connections and electronic devices are getting damaged really fast. They start to corrode, so it is better to protect the LED system carefully against humidity.
Acid Conditions
LEDs being operated under different conditions like coastal climate with a high salt content, in factories that are producing chemicals or using chemicals to produce or treat products as well as indoor swimming pools are sensitive to handle together with LEDs. LEDs are made for these areas but only packed carefully into a closed housing with a high IP rating.
