LED lamp

Today, LED lamps are very popular. In many parameters and technical characteristics of light, this type of energy-saving lighting devices ranks first. Therefore, such light bulbs are increasingly found in our homes.

But in using this light source, one negative point may arise - flickering in a situation of turned off lights. This article will be devoted to the question of finding out the reasons for the appearance of this visual effect, as well as ways to eliminate it.

Reason for popularity

The most important reasons why today the LED lamp occupies a leading position in indoor lighting in houses and apartments are the following:

• long period of service;
• high rates of energy efficiency;

Note! The energy-saving LED light bulb allows you to save up to 80% compared to a standard incandescent lamp.

• quality luminous flux.

It is worth noting that it is the energy-saving properties of such lighting products that can lead to the fact that the product blinks when the light is off. The reasons that the light is flashing can be a variety of situations, which we will consider below.

Understanding the problem

Many people, after buying an LED light bulb, notice that when the light is off (in a non-working state), it starts blinking, thereby negatively affecting people's sleep. Moreover, in rare cases, the lamp flashes even when it is on. Why this happens can only be found out with a detailed acquaintance with the device of such a light bulb.

light bulb structure

Such a lamp contains light-emitting diodes, which are semiconductors and create optical radiation when exposed to an electric current. The LED itself emits light in only one color, not its spectrum itself. Because of this, the light bulb additionally contains a light filter, with the help of which the illumination of daylight familiar to us is formed.
Note! The color of the resulting light is determined by the chemical composition of the LED.
The lamp itself consists of the following components:

• diodes;
• frame;
• drivers. They act as a power converter. This is due to the fact that semiconductors require direct current, not alternating current, to operate.

Thus, the lamp in the non-working state flashes only if its components are malfunctioning or if the assembly is of poor quality.

Flicker danger

If you find that your LED bulb is blinking when the light is off, you need to find out why this is happening. This must be done, since prolonged flickering has the following negative points:

• deterioration in the general well-being of a person and sleep disorders. In addition, there is a decrease in working capacity, eyes get tired and the head starts to hurt;

Note! The most negative effect is observed when the light that is flashing is located in a residential area or recreation area. Especially such a detrimental effect is manifested in children.

• reducing the life of the light source itself. Due to the fact that the product is flashing, the risk of failure of its component parts increases. If any element of the light bulb fails, it will be impossible to replace it. Will have to buy a new model.

flicker

It is not always possible to notice with the naked eye that the light source is blinking when the light is off. Therefore, to confirm your guesses, you can use the camera of your mobile device. In this case, when shooting from one meter, you may notice light streaks. In addition, blinking is noticeable with peripheral vision, especially when the lights are off.

Why is it still blinking?

A little higher, we have already touched on the causes of blinking in LED light sources in a non-working state. All possible causes of such an unpleasant visual effect will be listed here.
The following situations can lead to flickering:

• low quality of the purchased light product. For example, it may be a mismatch in the power of the light bulb;

Note! Low quality is usually typical for cheap Chinese-made products.

• violations that were made during the layout of electrical communications. Here it is assumed that the switch is incorrectly installed when its break falls on the neutral conductor, and the phase is constantly on the lamp;

Illuminated switch

• the presence in the room in the simultaneous use of an LED light bulb and a switch with a special backlight. This backlight can be either neon or LED;
• the proximity of the LED type light source to any type of device that can generate a fairly large electromagnetic field. Any LED lamp placed near a TV or other powerful household appliances will flash when the light is off;
• long service life. It is known that after several years of operation, LEDs begin to work somewhat worse. As a result of a decrease in the quality of the glow, the notorious flickering effect may appear;
• poor quality observed in the mains supply to the lamp. This group includes frequently occurring voltage drops over 20%.

This is why an energy-saving LED type light source may flicker.
The most common cause of this visual effect is the presence of a backlit switch in the room. The second place is occupied by power instability, as a result of which ripples are skipped from the 220 volt network. Such an effect, in addition to unstable nutrition, is manifested in cheap Chinese-made products.
To purchase really high-quality products, you need to buy light bulbs only in large specialized stores and ask the sellers for a quality certificate.
In addition, the reasons for the appearance of flashing in LED light sources include a poor-quality device of its electronic part. The most common weak link here is the capacitor.

Lamp Capacitor

It is cheap and low-quality capacitors that are often the only cause of flashing.
Knowing why the LED flashes when the light is off, you can fix the problem and save the purchased products.

Correcting the situation

Finding out why the lighting device flickers when not in use can effectively eliminate this visual effect.
Note! For each individual situation, the correct solution will be different.
Solutions to the problem:

• in the situation of buying a low-quality light bulb, if you have a check, it can be changed to other lighting models;
• switch replacement. This is the easiest way, although it will cost extra;
• retrofitting an existing switch with LED lighting. Here you can either reconfigure the switch in such a way as to keep the backlight and prevent current from flowing through it to the device capacitor, or simply turn off the backlight from the power source. Both processes are carried out with the electricity completely turned off in the room;

Note! The easiest way is to just turn off the backlight. Reconfiguring the circuit breaker is only possible if you have the necessary knowledge in the field of power supply.

Trip circuit

• add an ordinary incandescent bulb to chandeliers with several LED lamps. It will draw on itself the current coming from the switch, even low voltage;
• connection of the LED lamp with a separate wire. However, in this case, you will have an extra wire in the room that will need to be masked.

As you can see, there are several ways to eliminate the flashing effect of LED light sources. The main thing here is to correctly identify the cause of flickering, and there is always a way to eliminate it. Remember that there are no hopeless situations, and you can comfortably spend time at home with an LED lamp and a backlit switch.