If you've noticed purple lights in your neighborhood, particularly from streetlights or outdoor fixtures that were previously white or yellow, the most common reason is a manufacturing defect in LED lights. This defect causes the light's color to gradually shift to a purple or blue hue over time.
Understanding the LED Defect Causing Purple Lights
The phenomenon of lights turning purple or blue is primarily linked to a specific issue in some LED manufacturing processes. LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) are designed to provide efficient and long-lasting illumination. However, certain batches of these lights have a defect where the coating or components responsible for color correction degrade.
When this degradation occurs, the blue light spectrum, which is fundamental to how white LEDs produce light, becomes more prominent and visible. This results in the light appearing purple or sometimes blue. This isn't an intentional color choice but rather a sign of the light failing or degrading.
How This Defect Impacts Communities
This manufacturing flaw is not isolated to a few areas; it has been observed impacting utility companies and communities nationwide. It's a widespread issue affecting various installations, including public streetlights and sometimes even commercial or residential outdoor lighting fixtures.
| Original Intended Color | Defective Color Shift | Common Light Type Affected |
|---|---|---|
| White (Warm or Cool) | Purple, Blue | LED Streetlights |
| White (General) | Purple, Blue | Some Outdoor LED Fixtures |
What to Do If You See Purple Streetlights
If the purple lights you're observing are streetlights, it's highly likely they are affected by this known manufacturing defect. Utility companies are often aware of the issue and are working to replace the defective fixtures.
Here's how you can help or report the issue:
- Identify the Source: Confirm if the purple light is coming from a streetlight or a private fixture. The defect is most commonly reported in streetlights.
- Contact Your Local Utility Provider: Most utility companies have a system for reporting streetlight outages or issues.
- Look for a "report a streetlight issue" or "outage map" section on their official website.
- Provide the exact location of the streetlight (address or nearest intersection).
- Describe the issue (e.g., "streetlight is shining purple").
- Provide Details: Note any pole numbers or distinguishing features that can help the utility company locate the specific light.
By reporting these defective streetlights, you assist utility providers in identifying and replacing the faulty units, helping restore proper illumination to your neighborhood.
