Can an LED light bulb explode if you leave it on too long?

Question

I bought a standard LED light bulb and it gets hot after being on for 12 hours. If I leave it on too long, will it explode?

Answer 1

Favorite Answer

Bought one guaranteed for 7 years and left it on for about 4 years, no problem.

Answer 2

Just so you know; a lot of early LEDs were made for 12V, especially if you are getting them overseas.

They WILL explode if you plug them into a 110/120 volt appliance.

Be sure the voltage is correct.

Otherwise, no, they shouldn't explode.

Answer 3

Highly unlikely.

Answer 4

Well, for the wattage they do get hot, but not as hot as incandescent light that uses heat to produce light.

No, they won't explode, I have two in the house that go 24/7/365, and two years now.

Hoping they will go another couple or few years.

Answer 5

Update if you need more, and please choose 

a best answer from among those you get.

LEDs in the 20 - 60 Watt range designed for illumination 

generate quite a bit of heat (this is not true of the 

20 - 60 milliwatt variety).

Assuming an Edison base fixture, you must examine 

the fixture for labeling which shows Wattage limits.

Most ceiling fixtures are marked with a limit of 40,

60, or more total Watts. Exceeding the limit will

over heat the bulbs and damage the fixture.

Answer 6

Hmm. you might not have an LED bulb.  I have one in a reading lamp and I leave it on for HOURS at a time, yet I can touch it after all the time.

Answer 7

I've had an LED light bulb explode on me once. Turned out it was counterfeit. The risk is much smaller if you have a real one from a reputable brand.

Answer 8

Are you sure its an LED? As they generate minuscule heat as its not a filament. I have LEDS on 24/7 as do many businesses, they do not explode.

Answer 9

No. It's not under pressure, and it doesn't contain vapor, so there's no way for it to explode. It could theoretically melt, but so could any electrical device.