You should always buy your smart home products from premium and reliable brands like Philips. Yes, they will cost a bit more, but in the long run, they will save you a lot of headaches.
Moreover, you will also get a lot of additional features by choosing premium products. So, if you want to avoid running into issues, then make sure the brand you’re choosing is reliable.
These brands include Philips, Govee, Sengled, and other similar options. So, keep that in mind and consider the budget. It will be a bit hard to set aside the budget at first.
However, you will be able to enjoy the long-term performance of this device.
Some users that bought cheap LED light bulbs have mentioned a wide variety of issues that they often run into. In this article, we will be going over what you should do if your LED light bulb smells like burning plastic.
LED Light Bulb Smells Like Burning Plastic- What To Do?
It is a very common issue with LED light bulbs, most often than not, this issue is related to the fixture and the power flow from the socket.
Sometimes wiring issues can also cause this problem. So, go through the following methods to isolate the issue.
- Bulb Wattage Might Be Too High
The first thing you should check is the area around the bulb fixture. Make sure to remove the power first and then take the bulb out of the fixture.
If you notice that the plastic is melting around the fixture, then it is likely that the bulb wattage is too high.
When the power flow is too high, it is very common for the fixture to get melted because of the heat generated.
So, if you smell the plastic around the bulb fixture burning, then it is likely that your bulb is drawing too much power.
In this situation, either you can replace the fixture and use a better one or replace the LED bulb with a weaker wattage that won’t emit too much heat.
Your main focus here should be on finding a compatible fit for your smart home.
There is no point in sticking with your existing connections and fixtures when you’re upgrading the lighting system.
So, find a better bulb with weaker power demand and install that on your fixture. However, we will recommend that you get a better fixture that won’t limit your options.
Otherwise, you won’t be able to develop the perfect lighting system and will have to always rely on fixture compatibility.
Contact the dealer or any local contractor to find a compatible fixture that will fit your power demands.
- Overheating Problems
Even if the wattage is optimal, some bulbs are not meant to be kept on for extended hours.
If you’re using a traditional bulb, then the better option here is to keep it on for four hours at a time. Any more than that, and you will run into overheating problems.
You can verify this issue by checking around the fixture and isolating the error with the plastic melting due to the excessive heat.
If you can’t find any compatibility issues and the fixture seems to be perfectly clean, then you’re in this same boat.
Here, you need to either find a better bulb for the fixture or keep track of the temperature. This is especially true if the temperature in your region is a bit extreme. So, all you have to do is to remove the bulb and find a better spot.
Once the temperature-related issues are addressed, you won’t have to worry about any problems. Just make sure that the connections are kept in good shape and the heat won’t melt the plastic around the bulb connections.
- Restricted Airflow
There is no debate that every bulb can give off a foul scent when used for long hours in an isolated room. So, if you’re in a similar room with restricted airflow, the best thing you can do is to find the errors with the ventilation.
You need to make sure that fresh air can flow into the room while cycling out the foul scent. So, if you can’t find any damage to the fixture, and the issue is not related to actual burning plastic, then improve ventilation.
From there, you won’t have to worry about a thing when it comes to the burning plastic smell. You just have to find a better spot for the bulb, and that will be it. Hopefully, the issues will be fixed right here.
- The Circuit Might Be The Issue
This issue is most common in cheap LED bulbs that have poor circuitry in their base. So, if you’re using an off-brand LED bulb, then it is recommended that you switch to a more reliable brand like Sengled LED bulbs.
It all comes down to the brand you choose for your smart home. There is no point in sticking with cheaper brands that will have to be replaced in a few months.
You need to rely on a decent option only, and going with Philips is not a bad idea.
There is no need to get overwhelmed by the initial price tag brought forward by this unit. Instead, you need to look at the long-term use.
The Philips bulb will last you a lot longer than any other device on the market. Moreover, the smart scheduling features will make sure that you don’t use as much power.
You need to prioritize efficiency over the basic features and extend your budget accordingly.
You will thank yourself for this purchase, and the Philips unit will perfectly match your requirements. From there, it is not that hard to fix the circuit problems.
- The Fixture Might Be Clogged
Some users had also mentioned that when they checked the fixture, there were dead bugs stuck inside which is why the plastic was melting.
So, if you smell the plastic burning, it would probably be best to take out the bulb from the fixture to check if there is something stuck between the contact points.
Anything stuck in between the contact points will cause unnecessary resistance that will heat the fixture, causing it to melt.
All you have to do is remove the power from the fixture and use a blower to clear out any dirt or bugs. After that, just install the bulb again, and the smell should stop coming.
Keeping track of the electrical connections and servicing your smart devices once a quarter will keep everything in perfect shape.
On the other hand, ignoring these requirements will lead to fire hazards and other power-related issues. So, keep that in mind if you can’t seem to fix the issue.
Wrapping Up
The majority of the time, this issue only occurs in cheap LED light bulbs that have poor circuitry. The first thing you should do to fix this error is check the wattage of the bulb.
If it exceeds the maximum limit of your fixture, then your best option is to switch to a weaker bulb.
Sometimes, removing dust and dead bugs from your fixture can also fix this issue but remember to always disconnect the power before you clean the contact points.
You can always hire a contractor to help deal with this issue. He will be a bit heavy on your budget, but there is no harm in setting aside a few bucks to fix the lighting in your home.
This problem with plastic burning can be toxic to you and your family.
Moreover, it can also promote fire hazards, and you have to stay ahead of this situation. Hiring an expert will help you deal with the problem most effectively.
Moreover, you won’t have to bother with anything after seeking professional support.
So, save yourself the hassle, and reach out to the local experts. They will help narrow down the problems and eliminate them permanently from your lighting system.
From there, you won’t have to concern yourself with lighting issues ever again.
Lastly, you can also reach out to the dealer for the particular brand of light bulb installed in your house.
The dealer will provide you with a replacement if your lighting system is damaged or defective. So, if the purchase was recent, claiming the warranty might be your best option.