The flickering of the LED light bulbs can be a problem for some people and also when making video/film. Some LED light bulbs flicker noticeably when new, some do not flicker noticeably. In home lighting applications, flickering LED lights can be particularly bothersome in areas such as the living room or bedroom where people often spend a lot of time. Constant flickering can be distracting, cause eye strain, and even make it difficult to sleep. For some people who are susceptible to migraine, flickering light can trigger migraines or worsen the symptoms. Flickering can cause visual discomfort, blurred vision, and reduced visual task performance, which can be especially problematic in workplaces or other environments that require sustained visual attention. Some people might experience motion sickness or vertigo as a result of flickering LED lights.
High frequency strobing can be hard to detect with your eyes. This issue relates to the fact we have a 50Hz electricity supply. In this system, electrical current alternates or cycles 50 times per second. Well designed LED lights effectively ‘smooth out’ this constant back and forth of the current flow. Cheap and nasty LEDs cycle on and off completely, 50 or 100 times per second. In countries with 60 Hz power, the flicker can be at 60 or 120 times a second. We know this is bad because old-style fluorescent tubes can suffer from the same problem. High frequency flicker in offices has been linked to increased headaches and visual discomfort.
If you want a flicker free LED bulb, how to find it? The markings on the packet usually don’t tell about how much this specific LED bulb flickers or not. So you need to test yourself. Your phone camera can potentially provide some insight into LED bulb flickering (the pulsing screen is an indicator of this flicker): At hardware stores they have a row of sample bulbs that are on, put your phone camera up to them to see how much flicker. Then buy the best ones.
IKEA LED lamps flickering comparison
The majority of people have seen flickering light bulbs. LED lights, despite their incredible efficiency and supposedly infinite longevity, do flicker on occasion, just like any other lighting system. If you have flickering LED bulbs, that flicker either all the time or when mains voltage varies, homeowners may have to troubleshoot and fix the issue to ensure maximum comfort and functionality of their lighting system.
When using LED lamps, certain appliances may not function properly. LED bulbs have commonly issues when using lighting switches that also incorporate a dimmer controller. Most LED lights are not compatible with traditional dimmer switches, causing flickering in some instances. If you have dimmer switches, start by purchasing products that have market-proven wide compatibility. Just because other lights have flickered, it does not mean that all LEDs will flicker with your dimmer.
The light fixtures in your home will eventually also get old, broken, and rusted. This can nonetheless result in flickering light bulbs. The simplest way to avoid the dangers of flickering LED lights is to ensure that your LED lights are properly fitted (twist the LED bulb to make sure it’s not just a loose). The next test for flickering LED bubs, remove the flickering bulb and replace it with a working one. If the flickering persists, it could be your light fixture. If the flickering persists after you change the fixture, have a professional inspect the wiring. If there is something wrong with the power source, you should call an electrician to have it serviced.
Low-cost LED bulbs may result in flickering, so it’s beneficial to use high-quality ones. High-quality LED bulbs often come with features, that can help prevent flickering and ensure optimal operation. But claimed high quality, well known brand name or high price does not guarantee good results.
If you see any brief flickering, consider if anything else is going on in your home. When huge appliances are turned on, lights may briefly flicker. Led lights mainly flicker either because of voltage changes or a loose wiring connection. Voltage change can happen when turning on a large appliance. Light flicker caused by starting intense appliances like a corded vacuum cleaner or other tools is usually not a cause for concern. Because they suck a lot of power, they can cause a voltage reduction. If your LED lights hook up to the same circuit as the appliances, they may flicker or dim.
Energy utilities control off-peak loads by sending a ‘ripple’ through the electricity grid. Often, this electrical signal can show up in the form of flickering lights or noisy fans. Other disturbances on the grid can be due to nearby electrical loads (like neighbour cranks up their welder or high power grinder).
1 Comment
Tomi Engdahl says:
If the flicker is visible, it is unlikely to be 60 or 120Hz due to the persistance of the eye. Running the lights on smoothed DC should help, but you need to understand exactly how the LEDs need to be driven as many light sets use weird series parallel wiring to allow flashing effects with minimal wiring.
Dave Inglis you can see it when you move your eyes around.
Andy Scott this. People often incorrectly cite persistence-of-vision without taking into account that LED light are frequently point sources against a dark background, and unlike with screens, people don’t typically hold their focus on the LEDs, so the flickering is quite obvious (and annoying!) at only 60 Hz or even 120 Hz. You need much higher frequencies to avoid noticeable flicker when eyes are moving.
Basically persistence-of-vision still exists in this context, but you end up with motion-blur that looks like a dotted line, which is annoying.