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Overview
Resistors in Parallel
Resistors in Series
Heater Resistor
Resistors for LED Circuits
Power Resistor
Pull-up and Pull-down Resistors
Blower Resistor
Shunt Resistor
Braking Resistor
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04/02/2022, 16:47 Resistors for LED Circuits | Resistor Applications | Resistor Guide
The resistance of the ballast resistor is easy to calculate using Ohm’s law and Kirchhoff’s circuit laws. The
rated LED voltage is subtracted from the voltage source, and then divided by the desired LED operating
current:
V − VLED
R =
I
Where V is the voltage source, VLED is the LED voltage, and I is the LED current. This way you can find the right resistor
for proper LED operation.
This simple LED circuit with ballast resistor might be used as a power-on indicator for a DVD player or a computer
monitor. Although this circuit is widely used in consumer electronics, it is not very efficient since the surplus energy from
the voltage source is dissipated by the ballast resistor. Therefore, sometimes more complex circuits are applied to provide
better energy efficiency.
V − VLED 12 − 2
R = = = 333Ω
I 0.03
The resistor must have a resistance of 333 Ω. If the precise value is not available, choose the next higher resistance value to
keep the current below the LED limits.
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Often multiple LEDs are connected to a single voltage source with a series connection. In this way multiple resistors can
share the same current. Because the current through all LEDs in series is equal, they should be of the same type. Note that
lighting one LED in this circuit uses just as much power as multiple LEDs in series. The voltage source must provide a
large enough voltage for the sum of voltage drops of the LEDs plus the resistor. Typically the voltage source is 50 percent
higher than the sum of the LED voltages. Alternatively, a lower voltage source and a lower current can be used, by
compensating for the lower brightness of each individual LED by using a larger number of LEDs. Furthermore, there is
less thermal loss and the LEDs have a higher lifespan due to the lower load.
In this example two LEDs are connected in series. One red LED with a voltage of 2 V and a blue LED with 4.5 V. Both
have a rated amperage of 30 mA. Kirchhoff’s circuit laws tell us that the sum of voltage drops across the circuit is zero.
Therefore the resistor voltage must be equal to the voltage source minus the sum of the voltage drops of the LEDs. With
Ohm’s law we calculate the resistance value of the ballast resistor:
The resistor must have a value of at least 183.3 Ω. Note that the voltage drop across the resistor is 5.5 V. It would have
been possible to connect additional LEDs in the circuit.
It is possible to connect LEDs in parallel, but it can create more problems than series circuits. The forward voltages of the
LEDs must closely match, otherwise only the lowest voltage LED lights up and possibly burn out due to excess current.
Even if the LEDs have the same specification, they can have poor matching of the I-V characteristics due to variations in
the production process. This causes the LEDs to pass a different current. To minimize the difference in current, LEDs in
parallel normally have a ballast resistor for each branch.
LEDs today are available in low and high power. LEDs typically give off
less heat and use less power than an incandescent bulb of equal brightness.
They also last longer than equivalent light bulbs. LEDs are used in a wide
range of lighting and light sensing applications.
LED Symbol
Heater Resistor
Resistor Guide Index
Power Resistor
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