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We have 3 LED downlights in our en suite bathroom. These were put in when the house was built 3 years ago, but were done as we complained to the developer that the lighting from single pendant was inadequate. Two of the bulbs only lasted about 2.5 years and their replacements about 6 months. I replaced the bulbs with like for like (Megaman) although the replacement bulbs were a newer version. The bulbs have gone within days of each other on both occasions.
The en suite and bedroom are in the roof/attic space. I've been up above to see what I can see. I found that the light that hasn't gone has had the insulation pulled back away from it and the bare plasterboard exposed. (This explains why the paint on the ceiling underneath has started peeling due to excess condensation in that small area only!). I can't view the other two lights as the beams get in the way. They are installed close to where the top chord meets the bottom chord on the truss. Anyway, I suspect the lights are in an area that's tight on space
This leads me to believe that the light fittings are not installed properly and are probably failing because they are overheating and not ventilated enough. Is this likely?
Over-heating is the biggest cause of premature LED bulb failures, some downlight casings are designed to be covered by insulation but some need insulation guards fitted. So if the failing ones are units not designed to be covered directly by insulation and they didn't fit the guards then yeah they'll very likely be overheating.
Are they being driven by a 12v DC LED supply or an older 12v AC Halogen supply - the latter will shorten their lives considerably...
Are they being driven by a 12v DC LED supply or an older 12v AC Halogen supply – the latter will shorten their lives considerably…
This was my first thought. The LEDs will need 12v DC, whereas the original power supply might have been 12V ac.
Although overheating could also be an issue.
Thanks. I think I'll get up into the loft again and find out what the fittings are, then get hold of the installation manual.
The fact 2 out of the 3 bulbs are going at the same time suggests those two fittings are overheating. I'd expect to see all bulbs being affected if it was a transformer/driver issue. They take GU10 bulbs so there isn't a 12v transformer (?)