I have a purple LED, and whenever I plug it directly into the 3V transformer it will slow down its lighting intensity even completely erasing over time, what am I doing wrong? Thank you in advance …

 

Dear Reader: The LEDs should not be powered by alternating current and even more connected directly to a transformer. LEDs need direct current. For AC power supply there are special circuits (See article ART055 - How to Use LEDs on 110 V). In addition, we always need to put a resistor in series with the LED to limit its current. For 5 and 6 V with high-brightness LEDs the resistor normally has 47 to 100 ohms. For other LEDs of 220 to 470 ohms and for 12 V we usually use between 47-ohms and 1 k depending on the current. In DC power supply the polarity must be observed. The fact that the LED is decreasing in brightness means the chip is heating and damage may be occurring ... I hope I have helped you before the LED burns…

 

 

Datasheets


N° of component