PAGE 060 OF 150 · WIRING LEDS
Choosing Wire Gauge for LED Projects
Thicker wire carries more current with less loss.
LED SYMBOLTriangle points from anode to cathode; the arrows show light leaving the part.
Reading gauge numbers
AWG numbers run backwards: a larger number means thinner wire. Metric wire is given in square millimetres of cross-section.
Rough guide for light-duty wiring
- 24 to 22 AWG (about 0.2 to 0.4 mm²): up to roughly 2 A
- 20 AWG (about 0.5 mm²): up to roughly 3 A
- 18 AWG (about 0.75 mm²): up to roughly 5 A
- 16 AWG (about 1.5 mm²): higher currents in short runs
Choosing
Pick the gauge by current and length together. Check the voltage drop for long runs, and use thicker wire if the cable warms up.
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.