After discovering an alarmingly dangerous GU10 LED spot light, I decided to look more closely at the typical electronic circuit that sits inside these lamps.
By Julian
Youtuber, shed dweller, solar charge controller aficionado
Good morning all…
Youtuber, shed dweller, solar charge controller aficionado
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You might also like to consider that LED lighting in general isn’t good for our health due to the the blue short wavelength spectrum they give off. This spectrum of light can have adverse effects, such as oxidative stress, reduces melatonin, retina damage, macular degeneration. The high flicker rate can also damage mitochondria which is the power house for energy production in our cells. So dump these in a safe place! P
Thanks to Julian for this informative video. It's disappointing to see that NicolausLedZepplin has added his incorrect opinion to this and AintBigAintClever's similar expose of the bayonet corn lamp safety hazard. In both cases the presenter's analysis is sound. These lamps are only safe if used in a fully enclosed fitting, and the power is removed from the circuit before opening the fitting and touching the lamp. The public won't know this. There should never be accessible live terminals on consumer electrical goods. I have over twenty years of experience of electrical products and safety standards, made many CE declarations for electrical products on behalf of my multinational employer, and now lead a large team of engineers on aircraft electrical systems.
It's best to use halogen versions
They're much better.
my gu10s have only lasted 6 months and I want to take them apart for a nose around, ive unscrewed them but cannot get to the main part in the plastic casing…..I will have to remove the 2 locating pins …..how is that done??
Not knowing that much about electronics, are there any differences between the two designs that give safer modes of failure? Hopefully they fizzle out (like the one I bought from Aldi) rather than catch fire.
Another safety aspect is the type of plastic used for the base – is it heat stable, or will it degrade over time. I'd prefer to see a ceramic base.
Also, don't be fooled by the safety markings. Anyone can print safety markings. e.g.the classic China Export "CE" mark.
if it's not isolated you should be able to measure continuity on it. that's one way to test it.
again thanks
You're quite right, but there's always a temptation to buy cheap. I do it deliberately – looking for those LED nasties!
I'd also recommend the COB LED lamps. I've found them to be some of the best around. I personally use homewatt.co.uk. I've dismantled a couple of their GU10's and they seem safe. Galvanic isolation with transformers
As for Dangerous GU10s. I suspect there are quite a lot of these cheap and nasty unsafe ones around. I've found numerous sellers on Amazon and eBay selling them.
The old adage, You get what you pay for, comes to mind.
Not really yet. The COB LED lamps look very promising though – I'll be getting some more soon and I'll make videos about them.
Thank you again. Is there a safe high brightness LED you could recommend?