Nowadays, there’s an increasing preference towards LED lights, and that’s primarily because not only are they energy efficient but also serve as high-quality light sources.
You can create a comfortable and appropriate atmosphere for yourself with these light-emitting diode bulbs as they offer a warm and cozy glow and can also be adjusted to your liking.
When you have an option that can be customized, isn’t heavy on the wallet, and considers the environment, you know you have hit the jackpot.
However, sometimes these lights glow even when they are switched off, sounds super creepy right?
Don’t worry, though. It’s not supernatural activities making your lights glow while the switch is off.
Instead, there is a simple explanation behind it, so let’s get into the details about why that happens and the measures you can take to fix this issue.
Why LED Lights Glow When They Are Switched Off?
Led lights might display a little bit of a glow even when the switch is turned off mainly for two reasons.
Firstly this could be due to the led bulb you are using. The led bulb you’re using may accumulate energy.
Secondly, this phenomenon might occur because of how the electrical installation has been done in your house or work area.
Energy Accumulation by the LED Bulb
The easiest way to figure out whether the glow is because of the bulb or the installation is to instantly remove the bulb from its holder after cutting power by switching the light off.
If the bulb continues to glow well after being separated from the bulb holder, the problem is most probably with the bulb stocking up energy on its own.
If the bulb stops glowing the minute you remove it from its holder, the problem lies in your electrical installation.
Led bulbs sometimes come with a semiconductor layer that is made up of materials that allow for energy storage, which is why you see the glow for a short period.
Another reason that could be applied is that energy is being stored in the driver of the led bulb.
Led drivers often have capacitors present, which can serve as small pockets of stored energy dimly lighting the led itself for a minuscule amount of time or until the energy is drained.
Type of Electrical Installation
If the led bulbs continue to remain illuminated for long periods, the problem lies within the electrical installation. It is a common occurrence, especially if you have dimmers that operate electrically.
That is because these dimmers require a minimal amount of charge to function.
In the case of non- led bulbs, this wouldn’t occur because they require a higher voltage, but as led bulbs are highly energy-efficient, even such a small source of electricity form the dimmer can cause these bulbs to light up dimly.
Another reason for this could be the presence of a night light with your switch to be located in the dark easily.
As these lights are often connected in a series orientation, some of the electricity might leak off and power the led bulbs as they have a much lower resistance.
Poorly done electrical wiring can also result in glowing led lights despite the switch being turned off either due to parallel cable installation or because the neutral conductor is switched.
Both these scenarios can cause capacitance and induce very low voltage currents to pass through and reach the Led light causing it to be lit up even if it is very weak.
Another simple explanation for this problem could be that the wiring is not properly earthed or neutralized, causing a very tiny voltage to seep through, making the bulb glow up.
How To Fix Led Bulbs Glowing When The Switch Is Turned Off?
By now, you would have probably figured out why your led bulb continues to glow ever so slightly even when the switch is turned off.
Let’s move on to some of the possible solutions you can try to fix this predicament.
Firstly if you think that it is because of the led bulb storing energy or due to the phosphor layer, then consider replacing the bulb with one that is from a different company.
Look for Led brands that have a reputation for high-quality bulbs and have been tested before. Your problem can be solved easily just by switching bulbs.
However, if the issue is because of electrical installation, it might be slightly more complicated. The first thing you can do is arrange for properly earthed wiring.
Another option would be to install Zener diodes as they can stop any extra charge from seeping through.
If you think your electric dimmer is the cause behind this problem, then you should replace it by installing one that is specifically for the type of led bulb you use.
Another possible solution could be installing a bypass diode, especially if your house has many parallel cable routing.
It is also recommended to change any single pole switches to those that have double poles.
Conclusion
Remember always to be cautious when checking for electrical inadequacies in the wiring and installation, as it can be highly dangerous.
It is always better to seek professional advice in case you’re thinking of making repairs. Always try changing or switching the type of led bulbs you are using first, as it’s the most effective and easy option.
Hopefully, you found the reason behind led bulbs emitting an afterglow despite being switched off and by now, know exactly how to get it fixed.
