LED Industrieleuchten in Produktionsumgebungen müssen gereinigt werden

LED Industrial Lights – Why Maintenance and Care of are so important

LED industrial lights are known for their efficiency and longevity. However, even the most robust LED technology requires some attention to fully exploit its potential and avoid unexpected failures. Proactive maintenance not only extends the lifespan of the lights but also ensures compliance with safety standards and the continuous productivity of your operation.

Common Issues and Their Causes in LED Industrial Lights

Before we turn to maintenance tips, it is helpful to know the most common issues that can occur with LED industrial lights and understand their causes:

  • Brightness loss or flickering: Often a sign of overheating of the LEDs, insufficient power supply, or a defect in the driver. Accumulations of dust and dirt can hinder heat dissipation, leading to overheating.

  • Failure of individual LEDs or entire lights: Can be due to overvoltage, a faulty driver, or mechanical damage. Vibrations in the industrial environment can also affect circuit boards and connections.

  • Discoloration of the light: Particularly in UV LED lights, this may indicate aging of the diodes or contamination of the optics.

  • Increased energy consumption: Although LEDs are very efficient, permanent overload or a defect in the power supply can lead to unexpectedly high consumption.

Practical Tips for Maintaining and Caring for Your LED Industrial Lights

The good news is that many of these problems can be avoided with regular and simple maintenance measures.

Regular Cleaning

Dust, dirt, oil mist, and other production residues can accumulate on the surfaces of industrial lights and significantly affect their performance.

  • Workplace and machine lights: Regularly clean the lights with a soft, lint-free cloth. Mild, non-abrasive cleaning agents can be used for stubborn dirt. Ensure no liquid enters the housing. The frequency of cleaning highly depends on the environment – in dusty or oily production environments, monthly or even weekly cleaning is advisable compared to clean assembly areas.

  • UV LED lights: Special care is required with UV LED lights. Contaminants on the optics can disrupt curing processes. Use special optics cleaners or isopropanol and microfiber cloths to avoid streaks and residues. Also check the frequency of cleaning depending on the level of contamination.

Checking Ambient Temperature and Ventilation

LEDs are temperature-sensitive. Excessive operating temperature is one of the main reasons for reduced lifespan and brightness loss.

  • Ensure the ambient temperature is within the limits specified by the manufacturer.

  • Check that the ventilation slots of the lights are free from dust and dirt to ensure optimal heat dissipation.

  • Make sure lights are not installed in too tight spaces or directly next to heat sources that could cause heat buildup.

Visual Inspection for Damage and Loose Connections

Conduct regular visual inspections.

  • Cables and plugs: Check all cables and plugs for signs of damage, such as cracks, pinching, or corrosion. Loose connections can cause flickering or failures.

  • Housing and fastenings: Look for cracks, dents, or other damage to the housing that could affect the protection rating. Also check the fasteners to ensure the lights are securely mounted and can withstand vibrations. This is especially important for machine lights that may be exposed to strong vibrations.

  • Covers and optics: Machine and workplace lights, as well as particularly UV LED lights, should have their covers and optics checked for scratches or clouding that could negatively affect the light distribution or UV intensity.

Electrical Inspection (by Qualified Personnel Only!)

While some maintenance tasks can be performed by your maintenance team, electrical inspections should always be conducted by qualified personnel.

  • Voltage and current measurements: Regular checks of input voltage and current can help detect issues with the power supply or driver early on.

  • Grounding and protective conductor inspection: The functionality of the grounding and protective conductor is crucial for safety and should be checked at regular intervals.

  • Driver and ballast check: Watch for signs of overheating or malfunctions in the drivers. Modern LED drivers are often intelligent and can issue error codes.

Documentation of Maintenance Work

Maintain a maintenance log. This helps you keep track of work performed, identified deficiencies, and component replacements. Good documentation can also help identify recurring problems and optimize the lifespan of your LED lights for industrial applications.

The regular maintenance and care of your LED lights for industrial applications is not a cumbersome obligation, but an investment in the operational safety, efficiency, and longevity of your lighting infrastructure. With simple but consistent measures, you can minimize downtime, maintain productivity, and ensure the maximum lifespan of your lights. Your maintenance department plays a key role in keeping the lighting conditions in your company optimal.

Do you have questions about the maintenance of your specific LED industrial lights or need support in optimizing your lighting systems? Don’t hesitate to contact us!