Integrated LED Lighting: Everything You Need to Know

Integrated LED lighting has become a revolutionary solution in industrial, commercial, and outdoor lighting applications such as factories, ports, and stadiums. Integrated LED refers to lighting where the LED module is built into the fixture itself, rather than relying on a separate, replaceable bulb. 

This design provides several advantages, such as improved energy efficiency, longer lifespan, and better heat management. However, it also raises questions, such as how long do integrated LED lights last and whether integrated LED lights can be replaced if they fail.

What are integrated led lights?

Integrated LED lighting systems incorporate the LED chips directly into the fixture, make the LED chip and fixture into one whole, rather than relying on a separate LED bulb. The fixture is designed to last the lifespan of the LED itself, typically over 50,000 hours. These systems are popular in industrial settings due to their durability and low maintenance.

Core features of integrated LED lights:

  • Non-Replaceable Light Source: LED chip is directly soldered or fixed to circuit board, making it impossible to detach it like unscrewing an LED bulb.
  • Integrated Design: The lamp’s exterior, optical design, heat dissipation structure (aluminum base plate, heat sink fins), and driver are all custom-designed to achieve optimal lighting performance.
  • Long Lifespan: Due to the use of high-quality LED chips, a compatible driver, and excellent heat dissipation, the theoretical lifespan is very long, typically reaching 50,000 hours or more.
industrial integrated led lighting

Components of Integrated LED Lighting:

LED lighting consists of several components that work together to produce bright, efficient light:

  • LED beads: Composed of brackets, silver glue, chips, gold wires, and epoxy resin.
  • PCB boards: Provide the structure and conductivity for the LED beads.
  • Housing and lenses: Protect the LED and help distribute light evenly.
  • LED drivers: Convert AC power to the DC power required by the LED, ensuring efficient energy use.

The integrated LED light design incorporates these components into one cohesive unit. This results in a streamlined design that is compact and optimized for performance. But the integrated vs. non-integrated LED comparison doesn’t stop at structure; it also extends to performance and flexibility.

Integrated LED lights vs split

The light source, power supply and heat sink of the integrated LED lighting are made into a whole; the split LED light source, power supply and heat sink are separate and can be replaced individually.

FeatureIntegrated LEDTraditional LED (Bulb/Tubes)
Light SourceBuilt-in, not replaceableEasily replaceable bulbs (e.g., E27)
DesignModern, slim, seamless appearanceLimited by socket type, simple design
PerformanceOptimized optics, better heat dissipationDepends on bulb-fixture compatibility
Maintenance CostHigh – entire fixture replacement neededLow – replace bulb or driver only
Initial CostHigher upfront costLower initial investment
UpgradabilityNot upgradable, whole unit replacedEasily upgrade with newer bulbs
DurabilityGenerally longer lifespan, fewer loose partsMay degrade faster, depends on bulb quality
FlickerStable output, minimal flickerMore prone to flicker with cheap drivers

Advantages and Disadvantages of Integrated LED Lighting

integrated led bulb

Advantages

  • Aesthetically pleasing: A minimalist, ultra-thin design offers a stunning visual effect, perfectly blending in with modern decor.
  • Optical performance: Manufacturers can customize the lens to suit the fixture’s shape, achieving optimal light distribution.
  • Heat dissipation: The integrated heat dissipation design effectively dissipates heat from the chip, extending the lifespan of the LED.
  • Long lifespan: With excellent heat dissipation and a high-quality driver, the lifespan far exceeds that of replaceable LED bulbs.
  • Low maintenance: No regular bulb replacement is required, making it an ideal lighting solution for high-ceiling spaces, warehouses, and large facilities.

Disadvantages

  • Inconvenient repair: This is the biggest drawback. Whether the chip, power supply, or wiring are damaged, the entire fixture must be replaced, which is far more expensive than replacing a single bulb.
  • Rapid technological advancements: A lamp purchased today might be more energy-efficient and offer better light quality in a few years. However, the light source itself cannot be upgraded.
  • Purchase caution: Because these lamps cannot be replaced, higher standards must be met for brightness, color temperature, color rendering index, quality, and after-sales service.

Integrated LED replacement

Replacing an integrated LED lights is more complicated than changing a traditional bulb, but it is completely possible to do it yourself. As mentioned earlier, the “replacement” of an integrated LED lighting does not mean replacing the LED chip, but replacing the entire lights.

For professional maintenance personnel, a few components of integrated LED lights can also be replaced, but they must find the manufacturer to provide identical components. For ordinary users: Replacing the entire lights is more time-saving and repairs are not cost-effective.

  • Driver and lens can sometimes be replaced individually;
  • Light source module is essentially irreplaceable.
  • In most cases, if an integrated LED fails, it’s better to replace the entire lamp.
OptionAdvantagesDisadvantages
Repair (Replace Driver / Lens)Lower short-term cost
Environmentally friendly
Possible for minor faults
Requires technical skills
Parts availability not guaranteed
Risk of mismatched color/brightness
Replace Entire FixtureQuick and easy
Ensures consistent performance
Warranty usually covered
Higher upfront cost
Waste of materials
Less sustainable in the long run

Integrated LED light type

flood integrated led lighting
football integrated led lighting
high bay integrated led lighting

Integrated LED lights are a mainstream trend in modern lighting design and are now used in most scenarios. While a failure may necessitate complete replacement of the entire fixture, under normal circumstances, failures are rare. Examples include LED panel lights, linear lights, high-bay lights, and floodlights.

We are a professional LED lights manufacturer, providing a variety of integrated LED lighting for industrial, commercial, sports, road and other fields. You can view all our products or contact us for a customized lighting solution.

CategoryFixture TypeFeaturesTypical Applications
Home / CommercialPanel LightSlim, integrated driver and LED moduleOffices, homes, retail stores
DownlightCompact, recessed design, integrated LEDLiving rooms, corridors, hotels
Track LightIntegrated LED module with adjustable headShops, galleries, showrooms
Ceiling LightSurface mounted, driver + LED integratedBedrooms, kitchens, public areas
Industrial / OutdoorHigh Bay LightUFO design, integrated driver, strong coolingWarehouses, factories, gymnasiums
Flood LightCompact housing, integrated LED + opticsBuilding facades, billboards, yards
Street LightIntegrated module or one-piece designRoads, highways, parking lots
Tri-proof LightSealed body, waterproof, dustproof, corrosion-proofFactories, tunnels, wet environments

Conclusion

The future of lighting is undoubtedly moving towards integrated LED lighting. While there are some drawbacks, such as the difficulty in replacing failed LEDs, the benefits far outweigh these concerns, especially in industrial applications like factories, ports, and stadiums. The pros and cons of integrated LED lights demonstrate that for most industrial environments, integrated LED offer unparalleled durability and long-term reliability.

People Also Ask

Are integrated LED lights common in outdoor lighting?

Indeed, many outdoor lighting fixtures are integrated. The main reasons are:

  • Higher protection level: Integrated LED designs are more likely to achieve IP65-IP67 (sealed, waterproof, and dustproof) ratings.
  • Easy installation: For projects requiring quick installation, integrated LED fixtures are factory-ready and ready to go, requiring only electrical power.
  • Cost considerations: Integrated fixtures feature standardized production, a compact size, and low transportation and installation costs.

The theoretical lifespan of integrated LED lights can reach 30,000–100,000 hours, but the actual lifespan depends on the driver power supply, heat dissipation, and operating environment.

Industrial-grade products typically have a longer lifespan, around 50,000–100,000 hours. Home-grade products tend to have a shorter lifespan.

An integrated LED bulb means that the LED chip, driver power supply and heat dissipation components are all encapsulated inside the bulb, forming a non-detachable lamp as a whole.

Related Blogs

TALK TO OUR​

Pop-ups Contact Form