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?

martin · Accepted Answer

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

Jim Moor · Answer

It's not the "LED", it's the electronics that can be the issue.
Can the electronics go bad and catch fire or explode, yes.

LEDs run on a tiny amount of DC (battery) voltage. We would be better off, in the future, to have 12-48vdc in our light circuits so that it could power LED bulbs directly and not have all this special circuitry to change 120vac to battery voltage in every single device!!!.

Anonymous · Answer

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.

Roger K · Answer

Highly unlikely.

daniel g · Answer

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.

Born Yesterday · Answer

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.

Mark · Answer

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.

Anonymous · Answer

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.

Diane A · Answer

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.

Anonymous · Answer

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.

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

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