Do LED’s have a warm up time?

LED bulbs do not have a warm up time, they are instant and this is one of the main advantages of changing from CFL’s to LED’s.  CFL bulbs require a warm up time which is normally around 30 seconds to reach full light output.

The fact that LED’s do not require a warm up time makes them very effective for applications requiring instant light, such as emergency lighting.

Do LED lights work in a cold garage?

LED’s work well in cold environments such as garages, freezers and exterior applications.  The cold temperatures can actually improve the life span of LED’s which is the opposite of the incandescent and halogen bulbs where the coldness shortens their life span.

 Performance in cold temperatures

LED - Excellent and often increases the light out and the life span of the bulb

CFL - Poor, light output is reduced and they often fail to start or can flicker and the warm up time is extended.

Fluorescent tubes - Fair to poor, these require ballasts which are reliable at starting below 10 degrees Celsius and warm up time is extended.

Incandescent - Good, they start instantly but the heat generated is required for light and the cold can put stress on the glass bulb.

The reason LED’s work well in the colder environments is because they generate heat at the junction point of the semiconductor which is then dissipated through a heat sink to prevent overheating.  High operating temperatures are the biggest factor in LED’s failing prematurely.

If you use a driver for the LED bulbs in the cold area you should check the temperature that it is rated too.

Can LED lights catch fire if left on?

No electrical bulb is completely risk free but it is very rare for LED’s to catch fire from being left on. The risk of fire with LED’s is much lower than with incandescents and halogens as they generate a lot of heat.

Understanding the fire risk

1. Low operating temperature - The best safety feature of LED’s is the low operating temperature.  LED’s convert most of the energy into light and this is why the LED is typically warm when on, not extremely hot.

2. The driver/electronics - The driver could pose a fire hazard in a LED fitting if it is poorly manufactured or subject to an incorrect power supply (ie. faulty wiring or voltage surges) which could make it overheat.

3. Installation -  The vast majority of fire incidents relating to lighting is due to improper installation.  Always ensure the LED bulb is rated for the fixture type.