Common causes and protection schemes for LED lamp damage

The long life of LED is based on its safe working environment. For LED lighting, there are two main threats that affect its life: one is over-current shock, that is, the current applied to the LED exceeds the maximum rated current in the LED technical data sheet. , including over-current shock caused by over-voltage; the other is overheating damage. These damages can be manifested as immediate failure of the device, or it can occur after a long time after an overcurrent shock event, shortening the working life of the LED.

LED lamp damage

LED lamp failure is caused by failure of power supply and drive, and secondly by failure of LED device itself. Often the damage to the LED power supply and drive comes from the over-current surge (EOS) of the input supply and the open-circuit fault at the load. The over-current shock of the input power source often causes damage to the driver chip in the driver circuit and breakdown damage of passive components such as capacitors. A short-circuit fault at the load end may cause over-current drive of the drive circuit, and the drive circuit may be damaged by short-circuit or short-circuit fault. There are several main reasons for the failure of the LED device itself.

Transient overcurrent event

A transient overcurrent event is when the current flowing through the LED exceeds the maximum rated current in the LED technical data sheet. This may be due to a large current directly generated or indirectly generated by a high voltage, such as a transient lightning strike or a switching power supply. Overcurrent caused by overvoltage events such as state switching noise and grid fluctuations. These events are transient and have a very short duration. Usually we call them spikes such as “current spikes” and “voltage spikes”. The transient overcurrent event also includes the LED being powered on or the transient overcurrent when plugged in.

For LED lighting in cars, the transient load dump surge of ISO7637-2 is an important threat to its normal operation.

The failure mode of an LED after an electrical shock is not fixed, but it usually causes damage to the weld line, as shown in Figure 1. This damage is usually caused by a very large transient overcurrent. In addition to causing the weld line to blow, it may also cause damage to other parts of the weld line, such as sealing material.


2. Electrostatic discharge event

Electrostatic discharge (ESD) damage is the most common transient overvoltage hazard in the manufacture, transportation and application of highly integrated semiconductor devices, while LED lighting systems must meet the "electrostatic discharge mode" of IEC61000-4-2. 8kV contact discharge to prevent over-current shock failure of the system during electrostatic discharge.

The performance of the LED PN junction array will be reduced or damaged, as shown in Figure 2. The internal failure of the LED chip caused by the ESD event discharge path may be only a partial function damage, and if it is serious, it may cause permanent damage to the LED.