PAGE 026 OF 150 · COLOURS, SIZES & TYPES
5 mm LEDs
The 5 mm round LED is the classic hobby part.
LED SYMBOLTriangle points from anode to cathode; the arrows show light leaving the part.
About 5 mm LEDs
The 5 mm LED is the standard hobby size and the easiest to handle, with sturdy legs that fit breadboards.
Variations
- Water-clear lenses look dull when off but give a bright, narrow beam.
- Diffused lenses look the same colour off and glow with a wider, softer beam.
- Viewing angles range from narrow 15 degrees to wide 120 degrees.
Practical advice
Maximum current is usually 20 mA. Use a panel clip holder for a neat mount, and match the lens style to the job: clear for brightness, diffused for wide visibility.
REMEMBER
Colour is set by the semiconductor material, not by the plastic lens.Try it yourself
Sketch the circuit on paper first, calculate the values, then build it on a solderless breadboard using a low-voltage supply. Measure with a multimeter before you make anything permanent.
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