LED lights have become a regular part of our daily lives because they use less energy and last a long time. But you may have noticed that sometimes, these lights that seem quiet make a sound you wouldn’t expect: a clicking sound.
Even though this clicking sound might not bother you as much as a buzzing neon light, it can still make you wonder what it is. In this helpful guide, we’ll find out why it’s so interesting that LED lights make a clicking sound.
We’ll talk about the science behind it, what it might be caused by, and if it’s something to worry about. So, let’s shine some light on this interesting event and find out why your LED light clicks when it shouldn’t.
Why Do LED Lights Make A Clicking Sound?
The clicking sound that LED lights make is mainly because of thermal expansion or condensation. When the LED bulb is turned on and gets hot, its different parts, like the circuit board and the materials inside, grow. When the LED is turned off, these parts shrink as they cool down.
This can make a clicking or popping sound, especially if the materials have different temperature expansion rates. In some LED lights, the driver electronics can also make a weak clicking sound as it controls the flow of electricity to the LEDs.
Most of the time, these sounds are normal and nothing to worry about. However, if the clicking is too loud or comes with other problems like flickering, it could be a sign of a broken LED or driver circuit that needs to be checked by a professional. Moreover, it could also be because of voltage fluctuations. These voltage fluctuations often force components to work beyond their power, resulting in cracking and clicking noises.
2. Use Compatible Dimmer Switches
6. Replace The Bulb With High-Quality Bulb
Check LED Driver
Most of the time, clicking sounds from LED lights is harmless and normal, but sometimes you should check the LED driver. LED lights need driver circuits to control how much power flows through them. Some motor circuits can faintly click as they do their jobs. The moving parts of the driver circuit may make these sounds, but they are usually small and not too loud.
The quality of the LED driver has a lot to do with how often popping sounds happen. LED drives that are of higher quality tend to make fewer or quieter noises. Drivers that are cheap or badly made may make clicking sounds easier to hear. So, make sure you always buy a good driver for your LEDs.
Use Compatible Dimmer Switches
Dimmer switches are things that let people change how bright their lights are. They work by controlling how much electricity goes to the light source. These dimmers have to work with the light bulbs. If the dimmers aren’t suitable, the voltage in the LED circuit can change. These changes can make the LED driver circuits work incorrectly, causing the clicking sound as parts adjust quickly to the different voltage levels.
When replacing or putting dimmer switches for LED lights, choose ones that say “LED-compatible” or “LED dimmers.” These dimmers are made to work with the special electricity needs of LED lights.
Check with the company that made the LED lights and the dimmer switches to see what they suggest. If you’re unsure which dimmer to use or you hear clicking noises even though you’re using suitable dimmers, you might want to talk to a plumber or lighting professional.
Make Voltage Stable
Keeping the power fixed in an LED lighting system is important if you don’t want to hear clicking sounds. LEDs need a specific amount of power to work well and reliably. Changes in voltage can cause changes in current, which can stress the LED components and worsen the heating and cooling process.
When the power isn’t stable, LED lights can flash and make clicking sounds as they turn on and off quickly. Stable power cuts down on flickering, making the lights more regular and quieter. In places where the power source isn’t always stable, you might want to use voltage stabilizers or surge breakers to keep the voltage going to your LED lights steady.
Check The Fixture
If the LED bulb or lamp isn’t put in the fixture firmly and correctly, it can cause movements. As the bulb moves inside the socket, these movements can cause a clicking sound. The device or housing where the LED bulb is put has much to do with how much noise it makes. Because they can conduct and repeat vibrations, metallic fittings like those made of aluminum or steel are more likely to make clicking sounds louder.
On the other hand, plastic devices may block or absorb some of the sound. Consider using LED lights with better cooling design to cut down on clicking sounds. Ensure the LED is properly and firmly placed in the fixture so it doesn’t move around. If the clicking sound is annoying or comes with other problems, call an electrician to look at the problem and figure out what’s wrong.
Resolve Thermal Issues
When they are on, LED lights give off heat. As the LED bulb heats up, the different parts inside, like the circuit board, thermal paste, and other materials, expand. On the other hand, when the LED is turned off and allowed to cool down, these parts get smaller.
Different materials can make clicking or popping sounds when they expand and shrink at different rates. This sounds like the sounds you hear when metal things get hot and then cool down, causing them to grow and contract.
Different materials can make clicking or popping sounds when they expand and shrink at different rates. This sounds like the sounds you hear when metal things get hot and then cool down, causing them to grow and contract.
Replace The Bulb With High-Quality Bulb
Before changing the LED bulb, check that all of the fixture’s components are fastened in place correctly. Components that are not securely fastened, such as the bulb or the casing, have the potential to sometimes vibrate and make clicking sounds. There are variations in the quality of each individual LED bulb.
The structure and materials used in higher-quality LED bulbs are often of a higher standard, which helps to lower the possibility that the bulbs may make clicking sounds. Look for light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs produced by reputed manufacturers who strictly abide by quality control requirements.
Why are My LED Light Swithces Making a Clicking Sound?
It is mainly because of the loose wiring in the switch. The voltage fluctuation during switching causes this clicking sound. This sound is typically normal and not a cause for concern as long as the switch functions correctly and there are no other issues like flickering lights or overheating.
To solve this problem, you should ensure that all the wiring is correctly secured to reduce the clicking noise. In situations where other electrical concerns accompany the clicking sound, it is recommended that you seek the assistance of a skilled electrician to detect and resolve any possible problems and ensure the safety and operation of your LED lighting system.
- Loose Wiring
The electrical box or light switch’s loose wiring may cause clicking noises. A clicking sound may come from loose or vibrating wires that move or vibrate when electricity passes through them. Ensure that every wire connection within the light switch and electrical box is firmly secured. Seek the help of an electrician if you feel uneasy handling this alone.
- Rapid Switching
Rapid switching is one of the main causes of clicking sounds when you turn on or off LED lights. Because LED lights are meant to come on and off fast, sudden voltage fluctuations inside switches can cause a clicking sound in the electrical components. You may lessen the clicking sound by slowing down the rate at which your switches change states. To reduce noise, try flipping the switch on or off less quickly.
- Dimmer Switches
One prominent cause of clicking noises in LED lighting installations is dimmer switches. To change the brightness of the light, dimmer switches modify the flow of electricity. It can produce a clicking sound, particularly if the dimmer is set to a low brightness level.
You might experiment with dimmable LED lights made especially for dimmer compatibility to lessen clicking noise while using dimmer switches. Furthermore, replacing your dimmer switch with a better one might aid in noise reduction.
Conclusion
The primary reason for the clicking sound produced by LED lights is the thermal expansion and contraction that occurs as the components heat up and cool down. In most cases, this occurrence is quite natural, and there is no need to be concerned about it.
On the other hand, if the clicking is excessive, followed by flashing, or accompanied by any other electrical concerns, it may be a symptom of a problem that requires the attention of a specialist.
Suppose you want to reduce the clicking sounds and ensure your LED lights work properly. In that case, it is vital to use dimmer switches compatible with your LED lights, maintain a steady voltage, safely position LED bulbs in fixtures, and consider purchasing high-quality ones.
Additionally, clicking sounds can be caused by wires in switches that are not securely connected. This problem can be fixed by ensuring that all connections between the wiring are secure.
Clicking sounds can be caused by rapid switching and dimmer switches of poor quality; thus, using dimmable LED lights and dimmer switches of an appropriate quality can help eliminate these sounds. In the end, having an awareness of the reasons and taking the required actions will help you enjoy LED lighting that is both quieter and free of problems.
