PAGE 047 OF 150 · WIRING LEDS
LEDs in Parallel
Each branch draws its own current from the same voltage.
LED SYMBOLTriangle points from anode to cathode; the arrows show light leaving the part.
How parallel wiring works
In parallel every LED is connected across the same two points, so each sees the same voltage and the currents add up.
Example
Three LEDs at 15 mA each draw 45 mA in total, so the supply and wiring must handle the sum.
Points to know
- If one LED fails, the others stay lit.
- Differences between LEDs mean the current is not shared equally.
- Giving each LED its own resistor is the safe approach, as the next pages explain.
REMEMBER
In series the same current flows through every LED.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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