Why Certification Matters: A Guide to Safe Outdoor LED Lights
When choosing LED lights for outdoor spaces, it’s tempting to pick the best style out there within the best price range. What most homeowners overlook is that safety comes first. This is where certifications come in, so everyone has access to perfectly safe outdoor LED lights. Without them, there’s no guarantee the lights meet industry standards for safety.
If you’re here, chances are that you’re wondering why certifications matter and which ones to look for when buying safe outdoor LED lights. Read on to learn all about it for an amazing outdoor lighting setup!
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Why Certifications Matter for Safe Outdoor LED Lights
Although skipping certified LED lights might seem like a harmless shortcut, it leads you toward more harm than good. Sure, aesthetics matter, but your primary focus must be to invest in safety, durability, and performance. With certified lights, you get a seal of approval from reliable organizations that test the product to meet specific safety and performance standards.
Some non-certified lights might look great initially, but they’re quick to overheat, short-circuit, or pose electrical risks to your home. Worse yet, landscape lights are specifically prone to unpredictable, fluctuating conditions, so you don’t want to gamble on safety. With certifications, however, you can rest assured your backyard won’t catch fire just because it’s lit up.
Common Certifications You Should Look For
When choosing safe outdoor LED lights, it’s only natural to feel entangled between safety standards. As a beginner, you might wonder about the type of certifications you need to ensure safety. So, exactly what are those? Here’s a list of top certifications to look for as you get your hands on your backyard lighting fixtures:
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ETL
Issued by Intertek, ETL, or Electrical Testing Laboratories, is a safety stamp that proves your fixture’s safety and functionality standards. It’s especially crucial in hazardous locations, such as outdoor use, to face all conditions, from hailstorms to the scorching sun. The ETL mark indicates that the lights have been tested and meet North American Safety standards perfectly.
During the ETL testing phase, lights undergo tests for electromagnetic compatibility, resistance to harsh weather, fire explosions, and energy efficiency. Outdoor lights from Gardenreet are ETL-certified to guarantee safety.
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UL
UL (Underwriters Laboratories) is one of the most popular certifications for safe outdoor LED lights, and for obvious reasons. The UL mark gets them ready for consumer use, indicating that they’re fit for outdoor use throughout the year, even during extreme weather conditions.
If your lights are UL-certified, you can rest easy knowing that they’ve been tested for various aspects, including materials, components, functionality, and safety under extended use. They work great in environments where exposure to water, dust, and other harmful elements is a given.
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CE
CE is a European certification often mandatory for LED lights in EEA. CE-certified lights meet the safety, health, and environmental protection standards predetermined by the European Union. Although this mark is common in Europe, it’s a relief to see it, showing that your safe outdoor LED lights won’t falter under certain conditions.
While each certification has its specific focus, it’s safe to assume the fixtures are fit for outdoor use or in complex electrical systems.
How to Choose Safe Outdoor LED Lights for Your Backyard
Choosing a high-quality luminaire with a certification mark isn’t always straightforward. At the same time, you don’t want to risk your investment with non-certified lights. The good news? When you carefully follow a checklist, it’s perfectly possible to choose safe outdoor LED lights that complement your yard for years to come.
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Look for the Right Certification Marks
When picking the right fixtures, perhaps the worst mistake is skipping certifications; it’s never worth the risk. Go for fixtures with stamps from ETL, UL, or CE so you can enjoy risk-free outdoor lighting for years to come.
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Consider the Environment
Next up, ensure the lighting fixtures have the right IP ratings that support the type of environmental conditions in your space. Ideally, aim for an IP65 rating to ensure your fixtures are waterproof and dust-resistant.
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Stick to Reputable Brands
Want safe outdoor LED lights? Play it safe and stick to brands with a pre-established reputation in the market for high-quality LED lights. For instance, brands like Gardenreet offer certified, reliable products that often stand the test of time.
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Read Reviews
Don’t forget to check what others are saying about the products you’re eyeing out. Reviews can give you a good sense of how the product performs under various conditions. This, in turn, guides your decision, often getting you top-tier products with optimal performance.
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Prioritize High-quality Construction
Lastly, and most importantly, prioritize durability and low-maintenance features. Opt for lights with high-quality construction, such as those made with brass, to stick by you for a long time. They’re not just durable but also ensure user safety at their best!
FAQs
How can I know if my outdoor LED lights are waterproof?
To know whether your outdoor LED lights are waterproof, check the IP (Ingress Protection) rating on the fixture’s box or product description. For perfectly waterproof lights, aim for an IP65 rating, which can handle water jets without sacrificing functionality.
What does it mean if outdoor LED lights are not certified?
If your outdoor LED lights aren’t certified by renowned third-party organizations, their safety is not guaranteed. Such lights often carry risks of electrical shocks, fire hazards, compromised performance, and a reduced lifespan.
What are some safety precautions for LED lights?
The best way to prioritize safety with LED fixtures is to turn off the breaker before installation and maintenance. When changing bulbs or doing repairs, switch off the power again. Plus, it’s best to ground the fixture to ensure electrical safety and performance glitches.
Conclusion
Fortunately, choosing safe outdoor LED lights isn’t as complicated as it seems. Once you know the right certifications to look for, it becomes easy to secure fixtures that meet the highest safety and quality standards. Don’t just focus on how they look, prioritize safety, and you’re golden (quite literally).
Ready to light up your outdoors with the safest LED lights out there? Check out Gardenreet for their collection and get your desired lights today!