LEDs and capacitors!

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DeaconKC

DeaconKC

Well-Known Member
Okay, I see where a capacitor is generally needed to protect LEDs. What is a simple way to determine what size of capacitor to protect one or several?
 
DeaconKC said:
Okay, I see where a capacitor is generally needed to protect LEDs. What is a simple way to determine what size of capacitor to protect one or several?
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No, you mean a resistor is needed to protect and LED. For practical purposes in the model railroad world a 1K resistor is sufficient.
The resistor has to be in the circuit in series with the LED. If the LED is too bright add more resistance, if it is too dim go with a lower value.

What the resistor does is limit the current that the LED will pass. Technically with a voltage of 12V and 1K resistor will limit the current to .012 amps. At 15V it will limit the current to .015 amps. I just bought a bulk box of 1K resistors, so often I will run two of them in series for 2K so I get a not so glaring look. 12V and 2K = .006 amps.
 
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