LED 6W bulb modification

[junkhound]

If I am installing a LED bulb in a fixture that only has downward or outward lighting direction I always bandsaw off the plastic bulb and put a dab of RTV over the exposed terminals if any..

I get a lot more light from the same lamp.

Is there anything in NEC that prohibits this?

 

[infinity]

I think that we need to see a photo of this one.

 

[junkhound]

forgot the rtv on this one....

 

[LarryFine]

You mean the solder points? You're suggesting that insulating them makes the light brighter?

Is it April 1st?

 

[retirede]

You mean the solder points? You're suggesting that insulating them makes the light brighter?

Is it April 1st?

No. Removal of the plastic makes it brighter.
Insulating the solder joints protects against probing fingers getting zapped.

 

[LarryFine]

Oh, so the actual mod is leaving the globe off, not covering the terminals. Completely missed that.



Having said that, it's your bulb and fingers. I'd be hesitant about doing it for customers.

After having said all of that, most of the LED bulbs I've "broken" open just pop off.

 

[J2H]

From a safety perspective, I would expect there to be fairly low voltage dc on those terminals, which the markings seem to indicate. I may have to break a bulb open and measure with a meter.

 

[AC\DC]

NEC would not have any say. Now your liability insurance may lol.

 

[retirede]

From a safety perspective, I would expect there to be fairly low voltage dc on those terminals, which the markings seem to indicate. I may have to break a bulb open and measure with a meter.

Hard to say for sure, but I’d bet those solder joints are where the 120VAC connects to the circuit board. It would add unnecessary cost to have the driver connected to the LEDs by wires when they can easily be on the same circuit board.