Multiple failed GU10 LED bulbs in quick succession

[juggsy]

I have 9 spotlights in my kitchen using GU10 LED bulbs, which have started to fail very quickly one after the other. I’ve lost 4 bulbs in so many weeks, and am wondering if there’s a cause beyond the bulb quality?

They’re 3 years old from LED Hut so I expected them to last longer, however what’s puzzling me more is that they’re failing at similar times which seems a bit too coincidental.

The housings were replaced at the same time as the bulbs were fitted (the previous were non-fire rated MR16 housings/bulbs), so are fairly new. They are connected to a normal switch, not a dimmer.

Anyone else experienced this or have an idea what might be happening? Replacing the bulb naturally solves the issue, however I’d rather get to the root cause if there is one.

[Chrisgr31]

I had 9 fail in quick succession in my kitchen. THey werent that old, 4 years maybe. I just assumed same manufacturer same install date same life

[EmailAddress]

Had about 7 fail within two months.

Picked a different box out of 'the bulb cupboard' and replaced every one I could reach without effort.

Currently three years without a failure.

[JoshSm]

Could be similar units having a suspiciously similar lifespan or it could be a failure in one spiking the others leading to a cascading failure. At least I remember blowing bulbs being capable of causing problems elsewhere or tripping breakers depending on how they failed.

[juggsy]

Thanks all, wanted to rule out anything else going on but similar lifespan makes the most sense, although disappointed as I thought I was buying decent bulbs

[davek_964]

We've had exactly the same problem - and I'm sure some bulbs failed soon after replacement.

We actually ran out of replacements so ordered Philips bulbs in the hope that they're better

[Belle427]

I don't think there are many brands these days you can rely on.
I replaced some in our bathroom a few months back and one started flashing a few days later.
Phillips, Osram used to be the dogs many years ago.

[98elise]

juggsy said:

Thanks all, wanted to rule out anything else going on but similar lifespan makes the most sense, although disappointed as I thought I was buying decent bulbs

I fitted the under cabinet lights (T5 Tubes) in my kitchen about 20 years ago. 2 years ago one of them went so I replaced all 3. Just before Christmas 2 of them failed in the space of a week, so the replacements lasted a tenth of the original tubes life. Sometimes a particular brand is just crap.

I've been using LAP brand (Screwfix) for all my LED's including GU10's and I can't remember the last time I had to replace any of them.

[juggsy]

davek_964 said:

We've had exactly the same problem - and I'm sure some bulbs failed soon after replacement.

We actually ran out of replacements so ordered Philips bulbs in the hope that they're better

Just ordered some Philips, hoping they are better as well!

Belle427 said:

I don't think there are many brands these days you can rely on.
I replaced some in our bathroom a few months back and one started flashing a few days later.
Phillips, Osram used to be the dogs many years ago.

Agreed, seems the marketing surrounding the ‘everlasting bulb’ is a bit far from the truth these days

[silentbrown]

Check your mains voltage. (Smart meter can often be persuaded to show this)

Out of spec mains can cause many problems.

[98elise]

juggsy said:

davek_964 said:

We've had exactly the same problem - and I'm sure some bulbs failed soon after replacement.

We actually ran out of replacements so ordered Philips bulbs in the hope that they're better

Just ordered some Philips, hoping they are better as well!

Belle427 said:

I don't think there are many brands these days you can rely on.
I replaced some in our bathroom a few months back and one started flashing a few days later.
Phillips, Osram used to be the dogs many years ago.

Agreed, seems the marketing surrounding the ‘everlasting bulb’ is a bit far from the truth these days

As I said above I don't remember the last time I had to replace an LED bulb. They do on average last significantly longer than traditional bulbs, and of course emit only the visible light you want rather than 80% of the energy being lost to heat.

[langy]

I've been struggling with Hive 'smart' GU10's and have just arranged to return them and have replaced them with 'dumb' GU10's from Screwfix (Sylvania), hopefully they are more reliable...