• Home
  • Archive
  • Tools
  • Contact Us

The Customize Windows

Technology Journal

  • Cloud Computing
  • Computer
  • Digital Photography
  • Windows 7
  • Archive
  • Cloud Computing
  • Virtualization
  • Computer and Internet
  • Digital Photography
  • Android
  • Sysadmin
  • Electronics
  • Big Data
  • Virtualization
  • Downloads
  • Web Development
  • Apple
  • Android
Advertisement
You are here: Home » What Resistor You Need For Which Colour Of LED

By Abhishek Ghosh July 2, 2017 10:21 am Updated on July 2, 2017

What Resistor You Need For Which Colour Of LED

Advertisement

Of course you can blink a LED with Arduino or more easy – connect a LED to light it up. Previously we talked about basic electronic components, color coding of resistors, our free tool for calculating value of resistor and a guide possibly most important to may – multimeter guide for dummies. At minimum you should know what resistor you need for which colour of led, what should be the supply voltage, what is expected forward voltage. In this article, we will talk about those basic matters. If you apply higher voltage, LED can blow away or lifespan can be decreased.

 

What Resistor You Need For Which Colour Of LED

 

All LEDs are not made similar. There is a parameter named forward voltage for the diodes and LEDs. The forward voltage is the voltage drop across the diode if the voltage at the anode is more positive than the voltage at the cathode. You will be using this value to calculate the power dissipation of the diode and the voltage after the diode. Technically it is the forward voltage which defines the amount of voltage required to conduct electricity. Below the amount will cause the LED to remain non-conductive. We can measure the forward current of LED as Volt.

There is also another parameter named forward current. When forward voltage is applied to a LED, it turns into a short-circuit and allows current to flow. You must limit the amount of forward current flow through the LED. That is we say to add current limiting resistor. By placing a resistor in series with the LED, the current that is effectively limited.

Advertisement

---

From that we calculate the resistance of LED in ohm. Usually this value is closer to 13 ohm. In easy word – connect the LED with 3.3v supply voltage and the ground to multimeter to check voltage, amperage. You need resistors of various values between the LED with 3.3v supply voltage.

Typically, the forward voltage of an LED is about 1.8–3.3 volts and it varies by the color of the LED, voltage drop normally rises as the light frequency increases, so a blue LED may drop around 3.3 volts. In real, LED forward voltages :

  1. IR LED ~ 1.5V
  2. Red: ~2V
  3. Amber: ~2V
  4. Yellow: ~2V
  5. Green: ~2.5V
  6. Blue: ~3.5V
  7. White: ~3.5V
  8. Laser diode: ~1.5V

But you need an approximate values of the resistors against LEDs common colours.

Power Supply Voltage LED Color LED Vf LEDs in series Desired Current Resistor (calculated) Resistor (rounded)
3 V Red, Yellow, or Yellow-Green 1.8 1 25 mA 48 Ω 51 Ω
4.5 V Red, Yellow, or Yellow-Green 1.8 2 25 mA 36 Ω 39 Ω
4.5 V Blue, Green, White, or UV 3.3 1 25 mA 48 Ω 51 Ω
5 V Blue, Green, White, or UV 3.3 1 25 mA 68 Ω 68 Ω
5 V Red, Yellow, or Yellow-Green 1.8 1 25 mA 128 Ω 150 Ω
5 V Red, Yellow, or Yellow-Green 1.8 2 25 mA 56 Ω 56 Ω
9 V Red, Yellow, or Yellow-Green 1.8 4 25 mA 72 Ω 75 Ω
9 V Blue, Green, White, or UV 3.3 2 25 mA 96 Ω 100 Ω

I copy pasted the table from this article (fancy name of copy paste with variation is reference) :

Vim
1
http://www.evilmadscientist.com/2012/resistors-for-leds/

We roughly say to add lowest value resistor and when needed add a pull down resistor because we do not know what a newbie will do reading somewhat complicated circuit.

You actually need to calculate lesser as these days there are apps for Android, iOS and web which calculates the value of resistor for LED, like this :

Vim
1
2
3
http://www.ohmslawcalculator.com/led-resistor-calculator
 
http://led.linear1.org/1led.wiz

What will happen for the multi color LED with four legs? This is example solution :

What Resistor You Need For Which Colour Of LED Tagged With what value resistor do i need for arduino led , which resistor for color

This Article Has Been Shared 925 Times!

Facebook Twitter Pinterest
Abhishek Ghosh

About Abhishek Ghosh

Abhishek Ghosh is a Businessman, Orthopaedic Surgeon, Author and Blogger. You can keep touch with him on Twitter - @AbhishekCTRL.

Here’s what we’ve got for you which might like :

Articles Related to What Resistor You Need For Which Colour Of LED

  • Rotary Tools For DIY Electronics & Electrical Projects

    Tools For DIY Electronics & Electrical Projects is a Need To Build Enclosures and Other Practical Things. Here is Rotary Tools Buying Guide.

  • What is Negative DC Voltage, Like -5 Volt?

    While Building ATX DIY Bench Power Supply or on Telecom Device You Noticed Negative DC Voltage. What is Negative DC Voltage, Like -5 Volt?

  • Arduino Sound Sensor Module Buying Guide

    There are Different Types of Arduino Sound Sensor Modules Available in the Market. Here is Brief Arduino Sound Sensor Module Buying Guide.

  • Parts of Used Cell Phones Which Can Be Used In DIY Electronics

    Commonly we have at least one old discarded cell phone. Here is a guide on parts of used cell phones which can be used in DIY electronics.

  • Samsung A50s : Hidden & Less Known Features

    Samsung A50s Has Good Number of Hidden Features Among the Available Smartphones. It is unknown why so many features are undocumented.

Additionally, performing a search on this website can help you. Also, we have YouTube Videos.

Take The Conversation Further ...

We'd love to know your thoughts on this article.
Meet the Author over on Twitter to join the conversation right now!

If you want to Advertise on our Article or want a Sponsored Article, you are invited to Contact us.

Contact Us

Subscribe To Our Free Newsletter

You can subscribe to our Free Once a Day, Regular Newsletter by clicking the subscribe button below.

Click To Subscribe

Please Confirm the Subscription When Approval Email Will Arrive in Your Email Inbox as Second Step.

Search this website…

 

Popular Articles

Our Homepage is best place to find popular articles!

Here Are Some Good to Read Articles :

  • Cloud Computing Service Models
  • What is Cloud Computing?
  • Cloud Computing and Social Networks in Mobile Space
  • ARM Processor Architecture
  • What Camera Mode to Choose
  • Indispensable MySQL queries for custom fields in WordPress
  • Windows 7 Speech Recognition Scripting Related Tutorials

Social Networks

  • Pinterest (20K Followers)
  • Twitter (4.9k Followers)
  • Facebook (5.8k Followers)
  • LinkedIn (3.7k Followers)
  • YouTube (1.2k Followers)
  • GitHub (Repository)
  • GitHub (Gists)
Looking to publish sponsored article on our website?

Contact us

Recent Posts

  • What is a Loosely Coupled System? January 17, 2021
  • How To Repack Installed Software on Debian/Ubuntu January 16, 2021
  • Components of Agile Software Development January 15, 2021
  • What is Conway’s Law? January 14, 2021
  • Effects of Digitization on Companies : Part XIII January 13, 2021

 

About This Article

Cite this article as: Abhishek Ghosh, "What Resistor You Need For Which Colour Of LED," in The Customize Windows, July 2, 2017, January 17, 2021, https://thecustomizewindows.com/2017/07/what-resistor-you-need-for-which-colour-of-led/.

Source:The Customize Windows, JiMA.in

 

This website uses cookies. If you do not want to allow us to use cookies and/or non-personalized Ads, kindly clear browser cookies after closing this webpage.

Read Cookie Policy.

PC users can consult Corrine Chorney for Security.

Want to know more about us? Read Notability and Mentions & Our Setup.

Copyright © 2021 - The Customize Windows | dESIGNed by The Customize Windows

Copyright  · Privacy Policy  · Advertising Policy  · Terms of Service  · Refund Policy