Powering an LED

lead in leds are low voltage devices working within the 1 8vdc to 2 5vdc range leds can be included in resistor networks that create a voltage divider network making it safe for an led to operate powering the led when powering the led, the +ve voltage is applied to the anode, and the ve is applied to the cathode the voltage requirement for the led is 1 8v at around 10ma the calculation for the current limiting resistor below works out the value for an mcu powered at 5 vdc rled = (vsup vled) / 10 ma rled = 3 2 / 0 01 ma rled = 320 ohms while 320 ohms is the quotient, you can adjust the value of the resistor as the current flow determines brightness a higher value reduces current flow and can save power for battery powered applications see design tips docid 8w3esflxuibecw2wgjmx4 lead out dual color leds can be very useful in applications, and powering them is an extension of the skills taught here