Unfortunately we seem to of ended up with two threads discussing pretty much the same thing, so I'll do a big "Internet etiquette no-no" and cross-post, quote myself from the "other" thread ...................
However, my research comes from the Interwebs, and you're reading this on the Interwebs, so use it no more then an interesting place to start your own research ........
LED's are a "low-voltage" technology, around 1.7v - 2.5v, no surprise there. Yet many of them plug right into the 240v ceiling fixtures, "Why is it so*? " I hear you ask
Seems the 240v LEDs have what is called a "Switched Mode Power Supply" (SMPS) built into their bases. Yep, those 240v - 20v power-supplies for your laptop computers, the "lightweight plug-packs", all SMPS..........
The engineers at the forums I've been visiting all seem unanimous in their thoughts that (decent quality) LEDs can last 50,000 hrs, with 20,000-30,000 hrs easily achievable.
Hence many of the advertisements speak of the LEDs having this marvellous life, yet the engineers are equally adamant the the SMPS will be dieing LONG before 50,000 hrs !!
They speak that cause of this is the miniaturisation of the components in the SMPS........
Their recommendation seems to be that you should use LEDs with a QUALITY external driver.......
Will investigate further !!!
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