light decay of Led Fountain Lights

The LED fountain lights I just bought always appear exceptionally bright, but after a year or two, I noticed that some of the lights are getting dimmer. Why does this process occur with LED fountain lights?

To understand why LED lights become dimmer over time, we first need to familiarize ourselves with a technical term: LED light decay.

LED light decay refers to the reduction in light intensity of an LED after a certain period of illumination, and this reduction cannot be recovered, known as the light decay of the LED.

/ Light Decay Curve /

While LED lights have made improvements in light decay compared to incandescent and fluorescent lights, they still can’t completely overcome the issue. There are two main factors contributing to the light decay of LED lights.

(1) Quality issues of the LED product itself:

Using low-quality LED chips leads to faster brightness decay.
Production processes with defects can result in high chip temperatures, intensifying chip decay.

(2) Heat dissipation performance of LED fixtures:

Better heat dissipation performance results in lower LED operating temperatures, minimizing light decay and extending LED lifespan.
Selection of LED Driver:

LED chips require operation in low direct current voltage (below 20V), whereas the standard household electricity supply is high alternating current voltage (AC 110V-220V). To convert the household electricity into the required power for the LED chips, a device called the “LED constant current driver” is needed.

In theory, as long as the driver’s parameters match those of the LED board, it can provide continuous power for normal use. However, if any component within the driver malfunctions (such as a capacitor, rectifier, resistor, etc.), it can lead to changes in output voltage, causing the lights to dim.

Now that we understand the reasons for light decay, extending the lifespan of LED fixtures becomes straightforward. Although light decay is inevitable, its magnitude is controllable. To prolong the lifespan of LED lights and minimize light decay, consider the following:

Choose high-quality LED materials:

Opt for chips and LED drivers with superior quality and heat dissipation performance. Additionally, reduce the working load of the lights, preferably using them for less than 12 hours daily.

Install and use correctly:

Improper installation can easily damage the lights, such as placing high-wattage lights on the water surface, leading to increased internal temperatures and poor heat dissipation. It is advisable to install them underwater; for specific installation instructions, please contact our sales representative.

High-quality LED fountain lights will provide you with a longer usage time, ensuring that each of your projects operates smoothly for 2-3 years. Feel free to contact me if you would like to learn more about our company’s products.