L70 led ageing

One of the main advantages of LED strip lights is their very long lifetime. But how long does the led light strip actually last? How is lifetime defined? The typical lifetime of an LED strip light is 50 000-80 000 hours, which is a very long time. However, how long LED strips last depends on a number of factors, such as temperature, the way they are used and the quality of the product.

Issues affecting the age of the Led strip

The lifetime of a Led strip light varies considerably. Some low-cost products are cheap for a reason and therefore have a shorter lifespan. Let’s go through the reasons that affect the lifetime of an LED strip light.

Quality of components

High-quality LED chips, driver circuits and other components contribute to the lifetime of LED strip lighting. Keep in mind that an LED strip light has several driver circuits that control each group of LED circuits in the series.

Operating temperature

Overheating significantly reduces the lifetime of LED strip lights. I’ve written a longer argument for why LEDs can’t withstand heat, but it’s precisely the junction temperature of the LED circuitry that gets too high if the ambient temperature and the temperature of the LED circuitry itself is too high. Too high a joining temperature will break the gold wire.

SMD led strip and the location of the junction temperature.
SMD led strip and the location of the junction temperature

The lifetime can easily be halved if the LED is too hot or even more if the area of use is really hot, such as the ceiling of a sauna.

Use

The frequency and duration of use can also affect the lifetime of LED strip lighting. Although a Led strip light will last a long time if installed correctly, constant exposure to the light will accelerate its ageing process, as the LED circuits will not have time to cool down.

Power supply

The quality and stability of the power supply can affect the lifetime of LED strip lights. A low-quality power supply will not filter out sudden voltage spikes and drops. In other words, the power supply is unable to maintain a constant voltage. Then the Led circuits and LED strip light control circuits will not last. A low quality or underpowered driver is also the reason why the LED strip light flashes .
So buy only high quality Led transformers.

Environmental factors

Exposure to moisture, dust and other environmental factors can shorten the life of LED strip lights.

So, in a nutshell, there are several factors that affect lifetime, but one factor stands out above all others…

Led strips need an aluminium profile

Led aluminium profiles for Led strip light
Led aluminium profiles for Led strip light

By far one of the biggest factors affecting the lifetime of LED strip lighting is temperature control. We have written a long and comprehensive article on why does led tape need an aluminium profile?

If you want to know more about the lifetime of LED strip lighting, we will tell you. We have also written a longer article on the subject How long do led tapes last?

Led strip light installation guides

Led strip lighting specialist

LedStore has been an expert in LED lighting and lighting design since 2010. We have our own product design, so our products are technologically state-of-the-art. Products have quarantee for up to 7 years. We also carry out lighting maintenance.

We focus on temperature-controlled and high colour rendering lights, so they work brilliantly and last a long time. We do around 500 lighting designs for our clients’ sites in a year. Read more here or order a design. Did you know?
LedStore offers lighting design from 169 euros for the whole house!

Made to measure Led strip lights

We offer a service of custom-made led strips, i.e. custom-made led strips in aluminium profile. Also installed.

Remember that we are always ready to offer our help to you along the way, by email (myynti@ledstore.fi) and by phone (045 251 4510). Feel free to share photos of your own projects on social media #ledstorefi on IG and ledstore.fi on FB. We love to see the cool things our LEDs do, and it helps to provide inspiration for those who are not sure about the power and awesomeness of LEDs.

Did you know that we already have over 3 500 pictures of our LED installations in our Gallery!