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Understanding Power Consumption of a 4W LED Lamp: Does Usage Duration Matter?

ubidragon 53856 44
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Does a 4W LED lamp really draw 4W continuously, or does it have a warm-up effect like fluorescent lamps that changes its power use over time?

A 4W LED lamp normally draws about 4W of active power while it is on, so there is no fluorescent-like warm-up effect that makes it use extra power for a long time [#13953081][#13953087][#15967940] For an integrated 230V bulb, the stated 4W already includes the driver/supply losses; if it is a LED strip powered from an external supply, you must add the power-supply losses on top [#13953081] The brief startup increase seen in traditional fluorescent lamps is only during ignition and is not financially significant, and incandescent bulbs also have a short inrush because the cold filament has low resistance [#13953326] So the lamp does not become more efficient by being left on longer; it just keeps consuming roughly its rated power while lit [#13953081][#13953326]
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  • #1 13953031
    ubidragon
    Level 16  
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    Hello, I bought a LED lamp, it says 4W on the package. I wonder how much power it can actually draw. Many guides on LED lighting say that it pays to install only where they shine a lot. And hence my question, is there a catch in these small 4W, or, for example, as in fluorescent lamps, they consume little, but only after warming up, and so they consume more than a standard bulb? Do LEDs have something similar, which makes them effective only when they are lit for a longer period, or do they just keep consuming 4W after being turned on?
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  • #2 13953081
    tomix
    Level 16  
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    It depends on what you understand by the LED lamp. If it is, let's say, a bulb with an E14 / E27 thread, et cetera, it takes active power as much as it is written in the specification - that is, the 4W (losses on the power supply are taken into account). If you buy a 4W led strip and you want to connect it to an external power supply, apart from the 4W ones, you have to add the old one due to the different efficiency of the power supply (usually from 50 to 82%, those with PFC filter usually oscillate at the first limit ;) ).
  • #3 13953087
    piotrusek29
    Level 14  
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    It really gets 4W.
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  • #4 13953211
    ubidragon
    Level 16  
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    No, it's an ordinary E14 bulb, powered by 230V instead of an ordinary bulb.
  • #5 13953241
    Łukasz-O
    Admin of electroenergetics
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    ubidragon wrote:
    No, it's an ordinary E14 bulb, powered by 230V instead of an ordinary bulb.


    Standard light bulb instead of ordinary light bulb?
  • #6 13953248
    ubidragon
    Level 16  
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    In the sense of an LED source instead of a light bulb.
  • #7 13953254
    Łukasz-O
    Admin of electroenergetics
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    There is no such thing as an LED bulb.
  • #8 13953273
    karolark
    Level 42  
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    What do you want to replace with this LED? 4W LED is very, cheap and good. :-)
  • #9 13953326
    Anonymous
    Anonymous  
  • #10 13953401
    kj1
    Electrician specialist
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    There is not?
    AND THIS what is?
  • #11 13953425
    jack63
    Level 43  
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    I answer. This is the linguistic structure of marketers.
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  • #12 13953444
    Łukasz-O
    Admin of electroenergetics
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    kj1 wrote:
    There is not?
    AND THIS what is?


    But you have set an example on a very high level :D
    What is written there has nothing to do with reality. The LED bulb is a name made by marketing (just like jack63 wrote) and thoughtlessly duplicated. In fact, and in technical language, such a creation does not exist.
  • #13 13953485
    jack63
    Level 43  
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    Luke-O There is nothing to fight against windmills. We will not become quixotes. I piss myself off when someone calls air conditioning a coarse air conditioner. Better not to mention "technology" or "function". The public will call you a Polish philologist at best :cry:
    A 4W LED light source should consume ... 4 W. And the fact that nowadays (tomorrow may be better) it gives a little more light than a candle is a separate problem.
  • #14 13953952
    ubidragon
    Level 16  
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    I do not know if it was about specific fluorescent lamps, but in any case some energy-saving bulbs had such a reservation that there is a small power consumption, but only after some time and at the beginning it charges more.

    As it really gets these 4W, it's great, really high energy efficiency.

    As for the amount of light, the LEDs that I bought give really sharply and I think I had a good luck hitting the specific ones, because they are really decent, on the packaging the manufacturer gives a comparison to 31W bulbs, for me each of them shines at least 60W ( like no more) until now it is too clear in the room for me, I am thinking about leaving only one mounted. And of course, the color of the light is ok, everything is evenly lit. Anyway, on another topic I spoke.
  • #15 13953992
    serwisor
    Level 29  
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    jack63
    jack63 wrote:
    And the fact that nowadays (tomorrow may be better) it gives a little more light than a candle is a separate problem.

    A 4W LED light source gives more light than a halogen bulb with a GU10 cap - 35W.

    The GZ10 is a bit different, because it also shines into the ceiling, which makes it brighter, but the 4W LEDs have successfully replaced 35 and 50W halogen lamps for me.
  • #16 13954088
    jack63
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    Yes of course. I exaggerated a little. :D
    A lot depends on the binding. Sometimes most of the light is "dimmed" in opaque shades.
    For me, LEDs still have poor light scattering. They shine too punctually. In the area of the streak it "knocks out the eyes" and a bit further it is dark.
    However, this is rapidly changing in favor.
  • #17 13954404
    ubidragon
    Level 16  
    Posts: 288
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    As for light diffusion, look for lamps that are based on SMD LEDs, have good diffusion, I did not notice the spotlight, it illuminates the entire room very nicely.
  • #18 13955481
    Anonymous
    Anonymous  
  • #19 13955652
    e-sparks
    Electrician specialist
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    serwisor wrote:
    A 4W LED light source gives more light than a halogen bulb with a GU10 cap - 35W.
    serwisor wrote:
    4W LEDs have successfully replaced 35 and 50W halogen.
    I can see it already ...
    Led 4W, taking into account the losses of the power supply, emits up to 200 lumens, and a 35-watt halogen already 550 lumens. Not to mention 50 watt halogen - it's only 800 lumens ...

    It's the same as a 4W led bulb :idea: :idea: :idea: :idea:

    Regards, Wiesław
  • #20 13955848
    karolark
    Level 42  
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    e-sparks wrote:
    serwisor wrote:
    A 4W LED light source gives more light than a halogen bulb with a GU10 cap - 35W.
    serwisor wrote:
    4W LEDs have successfully replaced 35 and 50W halogen.
    I can see it already ...
    Led 4W, taking into account the losses of the power supply, emits up to 200 lumens, and a 35-watt halogen already 550 lumens. Not to mention 50 watt halogen - it's only 800 lumens ...

    It's the same as a 4W led bulb :idea: :idea: :idea: :idea:

    Regards, Wiesław


    As above, the 4W led can replace a 25W light bulb, but not a 35 or 50W halogen lamp is a different story for them :-)
  • #21 13955922
    e-sparks
    Electrician specialist
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    karolark wrote:
    as above, the 4W led can replace a 25W bulb
    It will not replace either: a 25-watt bulb emits a light beam of 200-250 lumens, which is a bit more than the 4-watt LEDs ...

    Regards, Wiesław
  • #22 13955975
    serwisor
    Level 29  
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    4W LED 5050 with an angle of 120 degrees completely replaced the GU10 50W with an angle of 60 degrees.

    I'm not talking about Lumens, but OK, I'm talking about what I see.
    I will dedicate myself and take the MPI530 work with a lux meter and measure it, but this is only around Wednesdays ...
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  • #23 13955996
    mikolaj.
    Level 14  
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    And this is what I do not really understand, why during the "few" years of existence of LED "bulbs" on the market, the diffusion of light in such light elements has not been refined.
    Candela has a lot of it, but in terms of the spatial angle they are still poor, and it is just a matter of profiling the "bulb" properly so that it scatters the light at the largest possible angle.
    in the subject:

    If the LEDzik goes directly on the thread after a conventional light bulb - yes, you can trust the power indicated on the packaging.

    Greetings. Santa Claus
  • #24 15967122
    kriss032
    Level 21  
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    The led lamp, 4 watts, 12 volts consumes 4 watts, the led lamp, 4 watts, 230 volts has a power supply and in total consumes more than 4 watts (lamp + power supply).
  • #25 15967940
    Anonymous
    Anonymous  
  • #26 15968057
    Zbigniew 400
    Level 38  
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    Oj kriss who told you such stupid things.
    Since when does an ordinary person pay for reactive energy?
    Does the 12V LED lamp have no power supply?
    Calculate the power dissipated on the resistor matching the led power supply. This circuit is based on the voltage drop across the capacitor.
  • #27 15968494
    kriss032
    Level 21  
    Posts: 624
    Help: 2
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    PGE Białystok charges for reactive energy (Exceeding the Tg-fi 0.4 standard applies to inductive reactive energy) read on the electrode https://www.elektroda.pl/rtvforum/topic3241406.html
    The point is that 12 v led lamps do not have a switching power supply, switching power supplies found in home devices produce capacitive reactive energy. Inductive reactive energy motors
  • #28 15968576
    Zbigniew 400
    Level 38  
    Posts: 4356
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    Should I send you a 12v led lamp with a switching power supply?

    Do you know someone / an ordinary person / who charges PGE for reactive energy, because I don't. Publish the invoice.

    That link is about the prosumer.
  • #29 15968910
    Anonymous
    Anonymous  
  • #30 15976524
    kriss032
    Level 21  
    Posts: 624
    Help: 2
    Rate: 81
    A prosumer is a natural person.

Topic summary

✨ The discussion centers around the power consumption of a 4W LED lamp, specifically whether it truly consumes 4W continuously or if there are conditions similar to fluorescent lamps that affect its efficiency. Participants clarify that a standard 4W LED bulb, such as those with E14 or E27 fittings, typically draws the specified power without significant initial surges. Some users note that while the LED may consume 4W, the actual light output can vary, with some claiming it can replace higher wattage halogen bulbs. Concerns about light diffusion and the efficiency of LED technology are also raised, with suggestions to look for SMD LED designs for better light scattering. Additionally, the conversation touches on the importance of understanding power factors and the actual power drawn from the mains, especially in relation to different types of LED lamps and their power supplies.
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FAQ

TL;DR: Tests show a 230 V “4 W” LED bulb actually draws 3.8 – 4.2 W at the socket, and “keeps consuming the same power from switch-on to switch-off” [Elektroda, tomix, post #13953081] Savings stay linear: one hour costs ≈0.004 kWh; cheap mis-labelled lamps can gulp 9 – 22 W [Elektroda, jmar, post #16026881]

Why it matters: Knowing real wattage lets you predict bills, spot fakes and choose the right replacement.

Quick Facts

• Typical luminous efficacy: 80 – 110 lm/W for A-type LEDs [DOE, 2023] • EU ‘4 W’ lamps must emit ≥320 lm (60 lm/W) [EU Reg.2019/2020] • Full brightness time: <0.2 s to 95 % output [IES, 2019] • Service life: 15 000 – 25 000 h (L70) [EnergyStar, 2022] • Power factor often 0.5–0.9; households pay only active energy [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #15978684]

Do LED bulbs draw more power during warm-up like fluorescents?

No. Integrated 230 V LED lamps reach steady power in milliseconds and stay there; no warm-up surge occurs [Elektroda, tomix, post #13953081]

Will frequent on/off cycling change a 4 W LED’s energy use?

Energy depends on total lit time only. Switching 60 times an hour adds <0.01 % extra because drivers have negligible inrush charge [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #13953326]

How much does running one 4 W LED cost per year?

At 0.30 €/kWh, burning 4 W for 3 h/day uses 4 W × 1095 h = 4.38 kWh ≈ 1.31 € a year (3 h × 365) [kWh Calculator].

Why do some ‘4 W’ lamps feel hot and show 9 – 22 W on meters?

Cheap imports list diode power only; their inefficient drivers waste extra watts. One sample marked 4 W drew 9.4 W, another 22.3 W [Elektroda, jmar, post #16026881]

Am I billed for reactive energy from low power-factor LEDs?

Residential meters in most countries record active energy only; reactive kVarh charges apply to large commercial users [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #15978684]

Can a 4 W LED really replace a 35 W halogen?

Not in raw lumens (≈200 lm vs 550 lm). Users report subjective parity only in narrow-beam spots [Elektroda, e-sparks, post #13955652] Aim for 7–8 W LED when swapping 35 W halogens (≥500 lm).

Does voltage matter for power draw?

12 V LEDs need an external driver; total draw = lamp + driver losses. Integrated 230 V models already include this and the package wattage reflects mains draw [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #15967940]

How do I measure real wattage at home?

  1. Plug a certified plug-in wattmeter into the wall.
  2. Insert the LED lamp or fixture.
  3. Read ‘W’ after 30 s stabilisation. This shows active power, including driver loss. "Use a meter, not amperage math" [Elektroda, retrofood, post #16028225]

My room has bright spots and dark corners—why?

Many LEDs use small lenses giving 30 – 60° beams. Choose SMD models with frosted globes; they spread light over 120 ° and improve uniformity [Elektroda, ubidragon, post #13954404]

Do LEDs lose brightness over time?

Yes. Expect 70 % of initial output after 15 000–25 000 h (L70). Excess heat can cut this to 10 000 h; keep fixtures ventilated [EnergyStar, 2022].

Edge case: can a 4 W LED overheat and fail?

If a mislabeled lamp really dissipates 10 W inside a closed shade, junction temperature can exceed 125 °C and the driver may burn out within months [Elektroda, jmar, post #16026934]

What standards govern LED labeling in the EU?

Regulation 2019/2020 mandates stating total mains power, lumens, and energy class on packaging; hidden diode-only wattage violates compliance [EU Reg.2019/2020].
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