How To Fix Radio Interference From LED Headlights
October 25, 2024 6 min read

How To Fix Radio Interference From LED Headlights

Aftermarket LED headlights and vehicle bulbs offer bright, energy-efficient illumination, making them a popular choice for vehicle owners. However, some users experience radio frequency interference (RFI) or distorted camera feeds after installing their new lighting components. Luckily, there is an easy fix for this issue: ferrite beads. In this article, we’ll explore why radio interference happens, how ferrite beads work, and how to install them in your vehicle wiring.

Radio Interference With LEDs

All electronics create some sort of RFI, but some devices have a greater effect than others. In some LED vehicle lights, this interference occurs due to the electromagnetic interference (EMI) produced by the LEDs and integrated drivers, particularly when they operate at higher frequencies. The drivers and switching power supplies in LEDs operate by rapidly switching the current on and off, which generates high-frequency signals. 

 

These amplified frequencies can be transmitted down the connected cables and interfere with the AM or FM radio waves. Ferrite beads, also known as ferrite chokes, ferrite clips, and ferrite clamps, can easily solve this problem in most vehicles.


*Note that some LED headlights are specially designed to prevent interference. Our GT series headlight bulbs have EMI/RFI protection to eliminate the problems mentioned above.

What is a Ferrite Bead, and How Do They Work?

Ferrite beads are passive electronic components made of a ceramic material (ferrite) with magnetic properties. They filter high-frequency signals by absorbing and dissipating the electromagnetic interference generated by electronic devices like LED headlights. While the low-frequency signal needed to power the LEDs passes through the bead with minimal impedance, the high-frequency EMI is absorbed. This filtering significantly reduces or eliminates the radio noise and interference associated with LED headlights.

 

Ferrite beads are normally placed around a power or ground line leading into a particular device, creating a choke point that prevents high-frequency noise from traveling through the wires and reaching other components, such as your car’s radio. They come in many sizes and accommodate a variety of wire gauges. In addition to vehicle lighting applications, ferrite beads can commonly be used for other household devices, such as USB cables and power cords. Ferrite beads for LED lights are available for sale at online retailers or car audio installation businesses.

How to Add Ferrite Beads to Your Headlight Wiring

  1. Measure the gauge of your headlight wiring and choose ferrite beads that will fit these wires snuggly. Most headlights have a 14-gauge, 16-gauge, or 18-gauge wire. You should also choose ferrite beads suitable for automotive use that can withstand excessive vibrations and shocks.
  2. Find the wires that connect your LED headlights to the power source. These are typically located near the headlight housing or along the path leading to the battery.
  3. Open the ferrite bead and place it around the power wire as close as possible to the LED driver or power source. When closed, the bead should securely encircle the wire. For best results, you may use multiple beads on the same wire or place them at different points along the wiring.
  4. Once the ferrite beads are attached, turn on your LED headlights and check your car’s radio to see if the interference has been reduced or eliminated. If the issue persists, you might need to add more beads to the headlight wire or to your LED foglights and high-beam bulbs as well. 
  5. After confirming that the interference has been resolved, you can secure the ferrite beads with zip ties or electrical tape to prevent them from moving during vehicle operation.

Additional Vehicle Resources

At Super Bright LEDs, we are here to help you with any vehicle lighting questions you may have. Consult one of our guides below for any other questions you may have about issues with your vehicle lighting:

 


Why Choose Super Bright LEDs?

When you shop Super Bright LEDs, you can feel confident in knowing you’re getting the highest-quality LED lights on the market. Our in-house test lab rigorously tests all of the products we carry. Additionally, we provide all of our customers with before and after sales support from our call center located at our headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri. And we do all of this while still offering some of the best prices in the industry.

*Warranty is subject to change. Please see the product page for a product's warranty.

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by Elizabeth Schlaker

Lead SEO Specialist


Elizabeth loves writing about all the creative ways you can use strip lights and landscape lights. In her free time, you can catch her trying out new DIY projects, reading books, and traveling.

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