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LED Resistor Calculator

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Current Limiting with E24 Series

Electronics

Circuit Parameters

Circuit Diagram

+5VR150Ω

Resistor Selection

Recommended Resistor

150 Ω
E24 Series Standard Value
Calculated: 150.0 Ω
Actual Current
0.0 mA
(0% of target)
Power Dissipation
0.06 W
Min Power Rating
0.125 W
Efficiency
40.0%

Calculation Steps

1. LEDs in series: 1

2. Total LED voltage: 2 V × 1 = 2 V

3. Voltage across resistor: 5 V - 2 V = 3 V

4. LED current: 20 mA = 0.02 A

5. Required resistance: R = V / I = 3 / 0.02 = 150.00 Ω

6. Closest E24 standard value: 150 Ω

7. Actual current with 150Ω: 0.0200 A = 20.0 mA

8. Power dissipation: P = V × I = 3 × 0.0200 = 0.060 W

9. Recommended power rating: 0.125 W (2x safety margin)

10. Efficiency: 0.040 W / 0.100 W = 40.0%

11. ⚠️ Low efficiency - consider using constant current driver instead

LED Resistor Guide

Formula:
R = (Vsupply - VLED) / ILED
Typical LED Values:
  • Red: 1.8-2.2V @ 20mA
  • Green: 2.0-2.4V @ 20mA
  • Blue: 3.0-3.4V @ 20mA
  • White: 3.0-3.4V @ 20mA
Power Rating:

Use at least 2× calculated power for safety margin. Standard ratings: ⅛W, ¼W, ½W, 1W