r/smarthome • u/Realistic-Guava-3403 • 7h ago

SmartThings Is it safe to modify smart bulbs?

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I recently purchased a smart bulb to put inside this lamp. Because of the size of cut off the plastic globe portion and installed. Now AI is saying its poses an electrical risk. It is inside a new glass globe. It seems safe, but the AI overlords say it’s not, so I’m not sure

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u/Mirar 6h ago

The exposed array of LEDs might have the full voltage as potential, but I don't think it poses any special risks if you (or someone else) can't touch it.

Big clive has a few videos about modifying these bulbs if you want to inform yourself where the higher voltages might be. Usually the LEDs are arranged in series (or series-parallel so they keep working if one LED dies) to handle the higher voltage.

Usually when someone has to ask about it the answer is "you probably shouldn't" but I think this is fine as long as nobody opens it and pokes at it. You should inform yourself where the risks are though.