An indicator that lasts.
A power indicator should tell you that a device is on—without damaging its LED. An LED does not limit its own current. A series resistor does that job.
Subtract the LED’s forward voltage from the supply. That voltage, divided by resistance, gives the current.
Three things to notice
- Polarity matters. The anode faces the positive side. The cathode is the bar in the schematic symbol.
- More resistance means less current. Try doubling R. Predict the result before revealing it.
- The model is an approximation. We hold Vf at 1.9 V. Real LEDs vary with temperature and current.
Detailed Worked Engineering Example & Step-by-Step Solution
A 5 V DC source feeds a red LED (Vf = 1.9 V) through an SPST switch and a 330 Ω current-limiting resistor. Because the switch, resistor, and LED are in a single series loop, the exact same current flows through every component.
Supply Vs = 5.0 V, Red LED forward drop Vf = 1.9 V, Series resistor R1 = 330 Ω, Switch SW1 = Closed.
- 1. Apply Kirchhoff's Voltage Law (KVL) around the loop: V_R1 = Vs − Vf = 5.0 V − 1.9 V = 3.10 V.
- 2. Apply Ohm's Law to R1: I = V_R1 / R1 = 3.10 V / 330 Ω = 0.00939 A = 9.39 mA.
- 3. Compute resistor power dissipation: P_R1 = I² · R1 = (0.00939)² × 330 = 29.1 mW (well below ¼ W = 250 mW limit).
Conclusion: Node voltages: V(VCC) = 5.00 V, V(N1) = 5.00 V, V(N2) = 1.90 V, V(GND) = 0.00 V.
Electronic Components Reference: How Each Part Works & Connects
An ideal DC source holds V(+) − V(−) = Vs regardless of load current. Real bench supplies have a current limit (CC mode) and small internal resistance.
How to connect: Connect nodeA (+) to your main supply rail (VCC) and nodeB (−) to the reference ground node (GND = 0 V). Never wire two different voltage sources directly in parallel across the same two nodes.
Worked Example: Example: A 9 V source connected across a 450 Ω load resistor drives I = 9 V / 450 Ω = 20 mA and delivers P = V · I = 9 V × 0.02 A = 180 mW.
Current through a resistor is strictly proportional to the voltage difference across its two terminals: I = (Va − Vb) / R. It is non-polarized.
How to connect: Place in series with loads (such as LEDs or Zener diodes) to limit current, or in pairs across a supply to form a voltage divider.
Worked Example: Example: To limit a 2.0 V LED to 10 mA from a 5 V supply: R = (5 − 2.0) / 0.01 A = 300 Ω (choose standard 330 Ω). Power: P = (0.01)² × 330 = 33 mW (safe for a 250 mW ¼ W resistor).
When wired as a rheostat (variable resistance between nodeA and nodeB), R_eff = R_total × (wiper / 100).
How to connect: Connect in series with a fixed minimum stopper resistor (e.g., 100 Ω) so turning the knob to 0% never shorts the supply.
Worked Example: Example: A 1 kΩ potentiometer set to α = 50% gives R_eff = 500 Ω. In series with a 220 Ω protection resistor, total resistance is 720 Ω.
An open switch drops the full available loop voltage across its open contacts while passing 0 mA. A closed switch passes loop current with negligible voltage drop (≈ 0 V).
How to connect: Place in series on the high-side (between VCC and load) to control power delivery to the circuit branch.
Worked Example: Example: In a 5 V LED circuit, opening SW1 makes I = 0 mA; measuring across SW1 with a voltmeter reads 5.00 V because the anode side sits at 5 V and the load side drops to 0 V.
Unlike a resistor, an LED has an exponential I–V curve. Once forward voltage reaches Vf, its dynamic resistance drops to a few ohms and it cannot limit its own current.
How to connect: Connect Anode (nodeA, triangle base) toward positive potential and Cathode (nodeB, bar) toward GND, ALWAYS in series with a current-limiting resistor.
Worked Example: Example: Red LED (Vf = 1.9 V) with R = 330 Ω on a 5.0 V supply: V_R = 5.0 − 1.9 = 3.1 V, so I = 3.1 V / 330 Ω = 9.39 mA (bright, safe operation below 20 mA max).
When V(Anode) − V(Cathode) ≥ 0.7 V, the depletion barrier collapses and current flows. When reverse-biased, only negligible leakage current flows.
How to connect: Place in series with the positive supply input for reverse-polarity protection, or across inductive loads (cathode to +V) as a flyback protection diode.
Worked Example: Example: A 5.0 V supply passes through a series 1N4007 protection diode (Vf = 0.7 V) to a 430 Ω resistor: downstream node voltage is 5.0 − 0.7 = 4.3 V, and current is 4.3 / 430 = 10.0 mA.
Common misconceptions & corrections
“A 1.9 V LED safely draws only what it needs from a 5 V supply.” — Without a series resistor or current limit, connecting 5 V directly across the LED causes destructive overcurrent.
“The resistor must be placed before the LED, never after it.” — In a single series loop, current is the same everywhere whether R1 sits on the high side or low side of D1.
Learning outcomes, prerequisites & transfer question
- Select a series resistor for the Kingbright WP7113ID red LED using I = (Vs − Vf) / R.
- Predict LED current and resistor power before measuring in the interactive workbench.
- Diagnose a dark LED by distinguishing open wiring from reversed polarity using safe measurements.
Transfer check: The WP7113ID datasheet specifies an absolute maximum DC forward current of 30 mA, while recommended indicator operation is around 5–10 mA. Which standard resistor (330 Ω or 100 Ω) should you choose for a 5.0 V supply, and why?
Choose 330 Ω (~9.39 mA). A 100 Ω resistor would drive (5 − 1.9)/100 = 31 mA, exceeding the 30 mA absolute maximum rating.