Preventing Electric Shock in LED Lighting Systems
15 patents in this list
Updated:
LED lighting systems present unique electrical safety challenges due to exposed metal heat sinks, high-voltage components, and installation risks. Measurements show that faulty installations or damaged fixtures can expose users to voltages exceeding 120V AC, while electrostatic discharge events during handling can reach several thousand volts—enough to damage sensitive LED components and create shock hazards.
The fundamental challenge lies in maintaining electrical isolation of live components while ensuring proper grounding of accessible metal parts and heat dissipation elements.
This page brings together solutions from recent research—including integrated grounding connector systems, electrostatic discharge protection circuits, isolation assemblies, and fail-safe mechanical designs. These and other approaches focus on preventing shock hazards during installation, maintenance, and normal operation of LED lighting systems.
1. Flexible Circuit Board with LED Array and Series Grouping for Enhanced Electrostatic Discharge Protection
Beijing BOE Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd., BOE Technology Group Co., Ltd., 2023
A light strip design for display backlights that improves antistatic protection to prevent LED failures during electrostatic discharge (ESD) testing. The light strip has an array of LEDs on a flexible circuit board. The LEDs are divided into groups with series connections. Each group has a head LED and tail LED between a positive and negative connection. The first negative connection is at one end of the board. This arrangement ensures that ESD applied at that point will pass through a series of LEDs before reaching the weak position between the first and second LEDs in the group.
2. Connector System for LED Tube Lamps with Grounding Sleeve and Third Pin Mechanism
Michael W. May, 2023
A connector system for LED tube lamps provides a safe, reliable, and convenient means for grounding the heat sink and internal components of the lamp. The connector system includes a sleeve that removably connects to the ends of the lamp body and has a third grounding pin that engages with a fourth grounded lamp holder on the lighting fixture. This provides electrical grounding between the lamp body and the fixture. The sleeve also simplifies installation by allowing the lamp to be inserted and rotated using just one end, rather than both ends.
3. Light Strip with Series-Configured LEDs in Isolated Groups for Enhanced Electro-Static Discharge Resistance
Beijing BOE Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd., BOE Technology Group Co., Ltd., 2022
A light strip design that improves anti-static properties and prevents LED failures during electro-static discharge testing of display backlights. The light strip has a series configuration of LEDs that provides redundancy and prevents voltage breakdown at weak points. The LEDs are arranged in isolated groups between positive and negative connections on a circuit board, with the first and last LEDs connecting to the negative end.
4. Grounded Electrical Connector System with Single-End Insertion for Linear LED Lamps
Michael W. May, 2021
A grounded electrical connector system for linear LED lamps provides a safe, reliable way to ground the heat sinks and internal components of linear LED lamps to prevent shock and fire hazards. The connector system has an electrical ground connection that contacts the lamp heat sink when the lamp is inserted. This provides a ground path for any electrical leakage. The system uses a connector sleeve that allows the lamp to be easily installed from one end rather than aligning both ends.
5. Grounded Connector System for LED Tube Lamps with One-End Installation and Protective Sleeve
Michael W. May, 2021
A grounded connector system for LED tube lamps provides a safe, reliable, and convenient solution with all safety concerns addressed to allow the benefits of LED lamp technology to be fully realized. The grounded connector system ensures the LED lamp heat sink and internal electrical components are electrically grounded to protect against shock and fire hazards. It also allows installation from one end and uses a protective sleeve to align and connect both ends.
6. LED Tube Lamp with Grounding Connector System and Shock-Preventive Elongated Sleeve
Michael W. May, 2020
A light-emitting diode (LED) tube lamp that is safe, reliable, and convenient to install in existing fluorescent lighting fixtures. The LED tube lamp has a connector system that allows the lamp to be grounded for safety. The connector system includes three parts: 1) a power connector that receives power from the fixture; 2) an elongated sleeve that covers the LED tube and prevents shock hazards; and 3) a remote connector that attaches to the fixture. The sleeve provides convenience to the lamp installer and allows for both ends of the lamp to be installed by manipulating the lamp from the power end.
7. LED Bulb Lamp with Electrical Isolation Assembly and Uniform Brightness Transition Design
JIAXING SUPER LIGHTING ELECTRIC APPLIANCE CO., LTD., 2020
LED bulb lamp that provides an improved light distribution with a smooth, even brightness transition. The lamp uses a unique design of an electrical isolation assembly to separate the charged electrical components from the outer surface of the lamp housing, reducing the risk of electric shock if the bulb breaks.
8. Lighting Device with Frangible Housing and Mechanically Interlocking Electrical Connectors
SIGNIFY HOLDING B.V., 2020
A lighting device that is safe even if the frangible bulb breaks. The device has a frangible housing with a window, and inside are SSL elements and electrical connectors. The clever aspect is that the window mechanically holds the connectors together. If the window breaks, the connectors separate, and power to the SSL elements is cut off.
9. Connector System with Grounded Sleeve Contacts for LED Tube Lamps
Michael W. May, 2020
A connector system for LED tube lamps that enables safe and reliable grounding of the lamps. The connector system uses a sleeve with grounded contacts that the lamp pins engage with. This sleeve connects to the lamp holders on the fixture. The grounded contacts provide an electrical path from the lamp pins to the ground when the lamp is installed. This ensures proper grounding of the metal heat sink and electrical components inside the lamp to prevent shock and fire hazards.
10. Grounded Connector System with Grounding Contacts and Connector Sleeve for LED Tube Lamps
Michael W. May, 2019
A grounded connector system for LED tube lamps that solves the safety issue of exposed metal heat sinks and internal components. The connector system has grounding contacts that connect to a ground wire when the lamp is installed. This provides a safe ground path for the heat sink and internal components, reducing shock and fire hazards. The system also has a connector sleeve for easier lamp installation.
11. Connector Sleeve System with Grounding Contact for LED Lamp Heat Sink and Internal Components
Michael W. May, 2019
A connector system for LED lighting that provides grounding of the heat sink and internal components. The system uses a connector sleeve that surrounds the ends of the lamp. This sleeve has a grounding contact that engages a ground pin in the lamp holders. When the lamp is installed, the sleeve connects the lamp's metal heat sink to ground. This protects against electrical shock and fire hazards if the internal components short circuit.
12. Three-Part Connector System for LED Tube Lamps with Integrated Heat Sink Grounding Mechanism
Michael W. May, 2019
A grounded connector system for LED tube lamps that provides a safe, reliable and convenient solution for grounding the LED heat sink and internal components. The system includes a three-part connector that securely attaches the ends of the LED tube to the fixture while also grounding the exposed heat sink. The connector parts have pins and sockets to mechanically connect and electrically ground the tube ends. A connector sleeve can be used to hold the two connector parts together during installation. The grounded connector system protects against electrical shock and fire hazards from exposed components, provides surge protection, and ensures proper grounding of the heat sink.
13. Connector System for LED Tube Lamps with Grounded Mounting and Electrical Isolation
Michael W. May, 2019
A connector system for LED tube lamps that allows safe, grounded installation of the lamps into lighting fixtures while addressing all safety and regulatory concerns. The connector system securely holds the lamps in place and provides electrical isolation and grounding of the heat sink and internal components. The system uses connector parts at each end of the lamp that mate with corresponding parts mounted in the fixture. A protective sleeve can enclose the connectors. The connector parts have conductive contacts for power transmission and grounding tabs that engage conductive surfaces on the fixture. This creates a grounded path for any leaked electrical current from the internal components.
14. Connector System for Linear LED Tube Lamps with Integrated Grounding Contacts
Michael W. May, 2019
A connector system for linear LED tube lamps that provides safe grounding of the lamp components to protect against electrical shock and fire hazards. The connector system has three parts: a first part that connects to the power supply, a second part that connects to the lamp, and a third part that connects the first and second parts. The connector parts have electrical contacts for power transfer, but also include grounding contacts that provide a path to ground for the lamp components. This ensures that the heat sink and internal electronics are properly grounded.
15. LED Lamp with Protective Plastic Enclosure for Fragment Containment
Chin-San Lin, 2018
A safety light-emitting diode (LED) lamp that reduces or eliminates threats from broken LED lamps. The lamp has a protective enclosure made of plastic that surrounds the LED light source inside the lamp shell. This enclosure shields the LED from damage and contains any fragments if the lamp breaks. The wires connecting the LED to the base also pass through the enclosure to further protect them.
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These patents demonstrate a variety of ways of producing LED lights with strong shock resistance. Enhanced anti-static qualities, better grounding and insulation methods, and innovative connector designs that make installation easier without sacrificing safety are some of the effective approaches.