Connecting LEDs. What could be simpler?

The article describes how to connect LEDs, which rules must be followed in order to ensure correct operation of the devices. The variants of their connection are described.

Connecting LEDs. What could be simpler?

These little things today are widely known. Everybody has LED lights, lanterns, garlands and other bright, luminous things and toys. They have many advantages and advantages over conventional light bulbs, but there are special features for use. So how do you connect LEDs?

To properly use the devices, you must strictly follow a few simple requirements, and then they will not deliver any trouble and will serve for a long time.

The most important thing is not to forget the two basic rules:

1. LEDs are semiconductor devices and have a one-way conductivity, or, in other words, the connection of LEDs should be carried out in the correct polarity (as when connecting the battery, you can not mix "+" and "-"). Otherwise, the LED will either burn out or it will not light up.

2. The device is controlled by current. What is an electric current, it is not necessary to explain, but the fact that its magnitude may be different, it is necessary to know. The value flowing along any chain is determined by the index of its resistance. The same happens when the tap is opened - if it is opened slightly, the water will flow with a thin stream, the resistance of the tap to the flowing water is large; If you open it completely, the water will flow with a powerful jet, the resistance of the liquid tap will be small.

For correct and long-term operation of the LED, a current of a certain value must flow through it, this indicator is determined by the characteristics of the LED. If the current is too high, the appliance will burn. This is equivalent to the fact that we try to supply water with pressure through a thin rubber hose. If the pressure is not too strong, then the water will have time to pass through the hose, and everything will be in order. If it is too large, the hose will simply burst. The same thing happens with the LED. If the current exceeds the required value, the device will burn.

The magnitude of the current regulates the resistance. It must be remembered that the connection of the LEDs to the voltage source can be made only through resistance. What it is and what resistance should be used for the normal operation of the LED is not the topic of this article. If there is a desire to make the device glow itself, it is enough to get a consultation in the store for the selection of resistance. And it is a little to own a soldering iron for connection of elements among themselves.

All of the above applies to the case of connecting devices to a DC voltage source, i.e. Battery, battery or something similar. When trying to connect LEDs to a household network, i.e. Source of alternating voltage, you will have to use the rectifier diode additionally , do not forget about rule 1.

However, there may be a situation where you need to use several LEDs at the same time. In this case, there are two ways to realize this need.

In case you need to achieve, for example, greater illumination, use parallel connection of LEDs. Then everything is practically the same, only several devices are connected to the voltage source at the same time. Do not forget that the connection of each of them must occur through its resistor.

If you need to do something like a garland, then you need to connect the LEDs in series. In this case, the same type of devices are connected to each other so that the minus of the previous one is connected with the plus of the next one. As a result, you get a chain that has two free ends - plus and minus. And this chain already acts as a single LED, and it can be connected through a resistor to a voltage source.