Are LED Lights Suitable for Enclosed Fixtures?

Heat is the enemy of LED light bulbs. Though the LED bulbs may have a similar shape to incandescent or fluorescent light bulbs, the LED chips inside the bulb aren’t that different to the chips in your laptop or other electronics. For this reason they can’t be used in microwaves or ovens, and some of the larger LED bulbs may utilize a passive heat sink or internal fan to keep the electronics from overheating. Enclosed fixtures that don’t allow for proper ventilation can drastically affect the temperature of the LED bulb, causing it to overheat and shortening the lifespan of the bulb. That’s why some bulbs will tell you not to use it in an enclosed ceiling fan or fully enclosed porch light fixture. Today we’d like to address some frequently asked questions about enclosed fixtures or enclosed fixture rated bulbs to help you get the most light out of your light bulbs.

What is an enclosed fixture?

An enclosed fixture is any fixture or application where the light bulb is encased in a way that does not allow for proper airflow or ventilation.

‘Enclosed fixture’ is a general term for many of the lighting uses we see on a daily basis. Different lighting fixtures will have different purposes, whether practical, aesthetic or both. With open fixtures, there is room for the light to breath.

Enclosed fixtures are lighting fixtures which keep a tight seal around the light source. This could be for many reasons, such as keeping water out or simply to protect the circuitry underneath. However, even with LEDs, the lighting is also a heat source and in enclosed fixtures the light has less space to spread out.

When the heat doesn’t spread out, it has to go somewhere, so it goes back in. This results in more heat being passed along the LED bulb itself. The LED is unlikely to be hot enough to explode, but it can overheat over a period of time. This means they do not last as long, losing some of the efficiency and cost effectiveness we buy them for in the first place.

Applications of enclosed fixtures:

Let’s jump right in and find out what exactly is an enclosed light fixture.

Your most common one is the globe or dome-shaped light on your ceiling. Most homes have these versatile lights, and they sit flush against the ceiling. They are great at lighting up a large room easily. But they’re not the easiest to replace a bulb out of! So all the more reason to make your hard work count and not end up with a wrong LED bulb inside.

Bathrooms and kitchens usually have semi-flush enclosed lights that hang a little away from the ceiling to give a more open look to the area. Also, think about your outdoor porch lights that are covered in glass to protect from the weather. Recessed lights, or pot or can lights, fit inside the ceiling and are covered with a glass front and trim.

Those are all examples of air-tight enclosed applications.

But did you know that a fixture doesn’t have to be completely covered to be counted as an enclosed fixture?

Surprisingly enough, track headlights and some lamps would also be counted as an enclosed fixture even though they’re essentially open from the front end. That’s because any fitting that does not allow air ventilation around the bulb for dissipating heat is considered an enclosed one.

Are all LED lights suitable for enclosed fixtures?

Unfortunately, due to the heat entrapment of enclosed fixtures, not all LED light bulbs can be used. Or perhaps it is better to say that they should not be used. It may still be possible to use your regular LED bulb in the enclosed fixture, but with a shortened life span and the potential for premature dimming. This is the case for most home fixtures, but industrial lighting will be different and may raise other safety problems.

However, this doesn’t mean there is no solution. There are many LED light fixtures which are perfectly fine to be used in enclosed fixtures.

Only LED bulbs that are officially ‘Enclosed Rated’ will operate without any problems inside enclosed light fixtures. Regular LED bulbs may be used but they will become damaged or lose their efficiency quickly.

Why cannot some LED bulbs in enclosed fixtures?

LED technology is advanced and uses electronic chips installed at the base of the bulb. And just like any other circuitry, these chips are very sensitive to excess heat.

You may wonder why LED bulbs that are supposed to run cooler than traditional bulbs are at the risk of overheating. It’s counter-intuitive, isn’t it?

But the interesting part is, traditional bulbs use energy restrictors without which they would simply explode due to the heat they generate. Regular LED bulbs don’t have those.

When regular LED bulbs are trapped in an unventilated or enclosed light fixture, the heat produced from the light source cannot flow out, and instead goes back to the bulb. This heats up the bulb, which is designed to perform best in cool environments.

Incandescents and florescent llamps are better?

While LED lighting used in enclosed fixtures may bring up some potential heating problems, this is nothing compared to the energy inefficiency of CFLs and incandescent light bulbs. The use of ballasts and other energy restrictors stop these types of bulbs from overheating, but they are necessary as without them they would explode. LED lighting needs to regulate current like any fixture, it just manages to use less to get better results.