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How to Wire Consecutive LED Lights

LEDs are semiconductors created to function as light sources. They are found in remotes, toys, and stereos. They can be connected in series, where they share the same resistor. They can also be connected in parallel, where each one has its own resistor. To wire consecutive LED lights, use Ohm̵7;s Law to calculate the resistor size, then connect the LEDs in series. LEDs wired in series are less prone to damage, and are easier to assemble.

Things You'll Need

2 LEDs
330-ohm resistor
Breadboard
9-Volt battery
Battery holder
Jumper wires

Instructions

- 1
  Review the use of Ohm's Law to calculate resistor values for a known voltage and current. For each LED, the equation is R = (Voltage Source ̵1; LED Voltage)/LED current.
- 2
  Determine the resistor values needed for two LEDs wired in series. Use the manufacturer's specifications to find the values for their voltages and current.
- 3
  Practice calculating R for LEDs with specifications of 20mA for the current, and 2.2V for the voltage. The solution is R = (9 V ̵1; (2.2 V + 2.2 V)/ 0.020 A = 230 ohms. This means that the resistor must be at least 270 ohms, because it is the closest and greatest standard value.
- 4
  Add the battery holder to the breadboard by inserting its red and black leads into the rows marked by the red and blue stripes, respectively. The red striped row is the positive voltage source; the blue striped row is ground.
- 5
  Insert a 330 resistor into the breadboard, then add a jumper wire between the voltage source row and the column of one of the resistor̵7;s leads. Insert the positive lead of an LED into the same column the resistor̵7;s other lead is in. Make sure that the LED̵7;s negative lead falls into an empty column and wire it to ground.
- 6
  Add the 9V battery to the holder. The LEDs will light up and will be equally bright.

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