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I want to preface this post by saying that I'm a big advocate of LED lights and I think we should all invest in more efficient, ultimately cheaper, greener LED light bulbs whenever we have the opportunity.
However, if someone gets killed by a dangerous LED, the publicity (specially if it is misreported in a typically hysterical, Daily Mail way) could put people off LED bulbs. So let's focus on the problem here - LEDs with SMDs (Surface Mounted Devices) - which have circuitry which is exposed.
This video shows a dangerous 'corn cob' LED which uses SMDs with exposed circuitry.
(Note that the speaker does use some 'emotional' language).
I have seen many GU10s and 'corn cob' bulb type LEDs with no protective cover over the actual LEDs and their exposed circuitry.
I'm not suggesting that all LED lights with exposed circuitry are dangerous, but how can you tell whether they are 100% safe or not?
You can buy SMD LEDs right now from various online stores including Amazon and ebay
B22 12W 60 LED 5630 SMD 960LM White Corn Spot Light Bulb Lamp AC 220-240V: Amazon.co.uk: Lighting
UK Stock E27 B22 SMD Corn Cob LED Bulbs Spot Lights Warm White Lamps | eBay
other UK retailers
LED Hut - 4.5 Watt - G9 High Power LED Bulb - LED Spotlights
Lamp Shop Online - 20w LED Corn Light MH/SON Replacement ES Cap - LampShopOnline
Energy Bulbs - G4 & G9 LED Capsule Bulbs - LED Light Bulbs
and the store referred to in the video
Eco-ERS
I actually have a corn cob LED above my head in my office here which I bought from Natsen_UK's ebay store in November 2012 (incidentally Natsen_UK no longer have items for sale on ebay).
To think that it's potentially lethal to touch horrifies me!
An RCD in the lights would kill the supply before killing me (hopefully), but I don't know whether we have a separate RCD for our lights as not all houses do.
This corn cob LED here was cheap, though, and that is the issue. A quality LED bulb is still expensive to buy relative to the incandescent or halogen type bulb it replaces. So there is an understandable attraction to cheaper LED light bulbs.
Personally I would never buy another LED without proper protection between the LED circuitry and the outside world.
I've bought cheap and not-so-cheap LEDs and I think it's worth spending a few more quid to get better quality lights. You can read my guide to LED lights with a £££ saving calculator here.
However, if someone gets killed by a dangerous LED, the publicity (specially if it is misreported in a typically hysterical, Daily Mail way) could put people off LED bulbs. So let's focus on the problem here - LEDs with SMDs (Surface Mounted Devices) - which have circuitry which is exposed.
This video shows a dangerous 'corn cob' LED which uses SMDs with exposed circuitry.
(Note that the speaker does use some 'emotional' language).
I have seen many GU10s and 'corn cob' bulb type LEDs with no protective cover over the actual LEDs and their exposed circuitry.
I'm not suggesting that all LED lights with exposed circuitry are dangerous, but how can you tell whether they are 100% safe or not?
You can buy SMD LEDs right now from various online stores including Amazon and ebay
B22 12W 60 LED 5630 SMD 960LM White Corn Spot Light Bulb Lamp AC 220-240V: Amazon.co.uk: Lighting
UK Stock E27 B22 SMD Corn Cob LED Bulbs Spot Lights Warm White Lamps | eBay
other UK retailers
LED Hut - 4.5 Watt - G9 High Power LED Bulb - LED Spotlights
Lamp Shop Online - 20w LED Corn Light MH/SON Replacement ES Cap - LampShopOnline
Energy Bulbs - G4 & G9 LED Capsule Bulbs - LED Light Bulbs
and the store referred to in the video
Eco-ERS
I actually have a corn cob LED above my head in my office here which I bought from Natsen_UK's ebay store in November 2012 (incidentally Natsen_UK no longer have items for sale on ebay).
To think that it's potentially lethal to touch horrifies me!
An RCD in the lights would kill the supply before killing me (hopefully), but I don't know whether we have a separate RCD for our lights as not all houses do.
This corn cob LED here was cheap, though, and that is the issue. A quality LED bulb is still expensive to buy relative to the incandescent or halogen type bulb it replaces. So there is an understandable attraction to cheaper LED light bulbs.
Personally I would never buy another LED without proper protection between the LED circuitry and the outside world.
I've bought cheap and not-so-cheap LEDs and I think it's worth spending a few more quid to get better quality lights. You can read my guide to LED lights with a £££ saving calculator here.
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