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Understanding and Measuring the Lifetime of LED Lighting versus Incandescent Bulbs
- By Lumistrips LED Professional
- Feb 8, 2023
Product lifetime, Light Bulb vs LED
The typical product lifetime of an incandescent light bulb is 1000 hours. When the bulb reaches the end of its product lifetime, it cannot emit light anymore. Typically, just before, there is spark or pop, as the filament inside breaks down.
LEDs use a different meaning for product life. They are the only light sources that over time lose brightness, even up to 90% of initial flux. Eventually, LEDs will also fail completely. However, some emit visible light even after decades.
For example, a Nichia LED with 60,000 hours typical product lifetime will continue to light well beyond the 60,000 hours rated life. Under normal operating conditions, it will even after 200,000 hours.
LED lifetime is the time interval the product can still serve its intended purpose. The time passed until a LED has 70% of the initial brightness is equal with the product life, L70 lifetime.
For all reputable lighting manufacturers and sellers, LED lifetime is equal with L70 lifetime. At this point, the LED is considered end-of-life and has to be replaced.