LED is a semiconductor device that has firmly entered our life and slowly began to replace traditional light bulbs. It has low power consumption and small dimensions, which has a positive effect on its areas of application.
Instructions
Step 1
Remember that any LED connected to the mains must have a series-connected resistor, which is necessary to limit the amount of current flowing through the semiconductor device. Otherwise, there is a high probability that the LED can quickly fail.
Step 2
Therefore, before assembling a circuit containing LEDs, carefully calculate the resistance value, which is defined as the difference between the supply voltage and the forward voltage, which is calculated for a particular type of diode. It ranges from 2 to 4 volts. Divide the resulting difference by the device current and, as a result, get the desired value.
Step 3
Remember that if the value of the resistance of the resistor cannot be accurately selected, then it is better to take a resistor with a slightly larger value than the required value. You will hardly notice the difference, because the brightness of the emitted light will decrease by an insignificant part. Also, the resistance value can be calculated using Ohm's law, in which the voltage flowing through the diode must be divided by the current.
Step 4
When connecting several LEDs in series at once, it is also necessary to set the resistance, which is calculated in the same way. Remember that the total voltage from all diodes is taken here, which is taken into account in the formula to determine the parameters of the resistor.
Step 5
Also, do not forget that connecting LEDs in parallel through one resistor is prohibited. This is due to the fact that all devices have a different spread of parameters, and some of the diodes will glow brighter, therefore, a large amount of current will pass through it. As a result, this will lead to the fact that it will fail. Therefore, when connecting in parallel, set the resistance for each LED separately.
