PAGE 053 OF 150 · WIRING LEDS
LED Strip Basics
Strips group LEDs and resistors in repeating cut-able segments.
LED SYMBOLTriangle points from anode to cathode; the arrows show light leaving the part.
What strips are
LED strips are flexible circuit boards with LEDs and resistors in repeating groups. Most are 12 V or 24 V, with 5 V types for USB and smaller projects.
Common types
- Single colour, with two wires.
- RGB, with four wires: common positive plus red, green and blue.
- Addressable, such as WS2812B, with a data line so each LED can be controlled.
Power planning
A 12 V strip of 14.4 W per metre draws 1.2 A per metre. Multiply by length, then add about 20 percent spare power supply capacity.
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.
Explore LED clocks, stopwatches and electronics at cosycom.com.