While using the LED strip lights, we found that the LED strip lights were getting hot to the touch. In fact, the LED strip lights do not get hot. Their light comes from tiny semiconductors that don’t generate much heat. The heat sink disperses the light without the lamp itself getting hot. It stays cool even when opened for hours at a time.
So, we often wonder if it is normal for the LED strip lights to get hot. Why? How hot is it safe? How to reduce the heat of the led strip lights?
LEDs Get Warm or Not？
First of all, it is normal for LEDs to heat up, and LED strip lights are no exception. Please remember that if they generate more heat. We need to dissipate the heat properly so that the LEDs can have a longer service life. Both LED bulbs and LED strip lights are loved for their high energy efficiency and long life. The main reason is that LEDs don’t waste energy and you can get 90% or more efficient LED lighting.
LEDs are indeed much more efficient than traditional lighting technologies, but they are still quite inefficient in absolute terms. When we talk about efficiency values, they are usually expressed as a percentage, indicating the proportion of electrical energy that is converted into useful light energy versus that that is wasted as heat.
LEDs typically have efficiency values between 30% and 50%. This means that for a typical LED with 40% efficiency, given every 100 watts of electrical input, only 40 watts worth of energy is released as useful light energy, and the remaining 60 watts are released as heat.
Do LED Light Strips Get Hot?
Our main concern is doing the LED strip lights get hot. In fact, LED strip lights are the same as other LEDs, and LED strip lights will also generate some heat. Unlike other light sources, LED strips only get slightly warmer.
Depending on the ambient temperature, they can reach temperatures between 25°C and 55°C. Can this be touched? For humans, we find objects with a temperature between 35°C and 40°C to be warm. We feel that temperatures between 40°C and 50°C are hot to the touch. Anything over 50°C is too hot and can even cause skin burns.
Why LED Strip Lights Get Hot?
The most common cause is the quality of the LEDs themselves and the strip. There are so many LED strip lights in the market, with different prices and different qualities. So, low-cost led strip lights use low-quality parts and manufacturing processes.
Also, if you install LED strip lights in a poorly ventilated or enclosed space, airflow will be reduced. This will hinder the dissipation of heat, thus increasing the temperature of the LED.
LED Strip Lights Get Hot Can Be Acceptable?
The temperature of the LED strip lights during operation depends on the design and quality of the LED strip lights, as the ambient temperature. Here are three frequently asked questions about LED strips and thermal performance:
LED Strip Lights Get Hot any Effect on Humans or Animals?
Objects at 40°C (104°F) or higher will feel “hot” to the touch, and temperatures above 50°C (122°F) will begin to burn human skin. Note that while most LED strip applications do not involve contact with human skin, you will need to take precautions.
Will the LEDs, Circuit Board be Damaged By The Hot?
Nearly all LEDs, components, and LED strip circuits are designed to withstand temperatures of 185°F (85°C) or higher without any adverse effect on their lifespan, reliability, and operation. Therefore, apart from bad or faulty LED strips, or LED strip products installed in extreme locations with very high ambient temperatures, few LED strips will reach these temperatures.
Will LED Strip Lights Catch Fire?
This is less likely to happen, LEDs use semiconductors rather than filaments, so they have a much lower risk of generating a lot of heat and a potential fire. Although the LED light emits very little heat, it will not affect the temperature.
As with any electrical appliance, care still needs to be taken to ensure that the LED strip is plugged into a working outlet (or battery unit) and that the circuit is not damaged by being overwhelmed by too many appliances. You should also inspect your LED strips to make sure there are no accidental tears or other damage that could affect the integrity of the wires inside.
Is 12V Running Cooler Than 24V LED Strip Lights?
It turned out that we analyzed the advantages and disadvantages of 12V and 24V light strips, as well as the advantages of 12V light strips and the advantages of 24V. The voltage of an LED strip usually does not affect thermal performance. This is because it is the wattage of the LED strip system, not the voltage, that determines the total heat output.
However, you may find that the slight increase in efficiency of a 24V system may result in slightly less heat output compared to a 12V system.
How to Lower the Dissipate Heat of LED Light Strips?
Using the LEDs at full brightness all the time will definitely increase the temperature. As most LED Light strips come with remote control or smartphone apps, use them to reduce the brightness to about 80%. Lower the brightness of the LEDs, and lower the temperatures.
Another way to dissipate more heat and lower the temperature is to use a heat sink. Readymade aluminum extrusions are available in the market that is very handy to install LED Light Strips. In cupboards and under cabinet lighting, use the aluminum heat sink instead of directly attaching the strips.
Conclusion
LED strips lights will get hot definitely at full brightness. Since most LED strip lights come with a remote or smartphone app, they can reduce the brightness to around 80%. Reduce the brightness of the LED, and reduce the temperature.
Another way to dissipate more heat and lower the temperature is to use a heat sink. Using a heat sink can help dissipate heat, generally using profiles to assist heat dissipation, and it is very convenient to install LED strips.
FAQs
As far as normal led strips are concerned, cooling is not required. But if it needs cooling when running at high power.
Of course, if the light strip overheats, it may shorten its lifespan and eventually burn out or reduce the quality of light. Therefore, your best bet is to try to prevent the LED lights from overheating.
LED chips or light engines generate heat. If the heat continues to be too high, please use accessories to dissipate heat. We have to remember that cold LEDs are more efficient than hot LEDs.
LED strip lights are as safe as any other electrical light source when installed and used correctly, so you don’t overthink them.