A LED can easily be destroyed, or its life shortend by over driving it. This is done by causing the LED to draw excessive current.
It is therefore very important to use the correct value series resistor connected to the LED.
One or more LEDs can be connected in series. The current flowing will always be the same, as they are connected in series.
The first thing to do is obtain the LEDs specifications. The important data to look for is the Forward Voltage (Vf) and the Forward Current (If)
You will also need to know the supply voltage that the LED will be connected to.
Once you have this data, insert it into the relavent boxes above and click calculate.The calculator uses the STANDARD RESISTOR scale values. You can of course obtain more accurate reistors.
The calculator rounds off the calculated value - both are displayed.
Choose a suitable wattage resitor, rounded up nearest to the value calculated.
The correct way to use and illuminate a LED is by way of a Constant Current Sourse.
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