LED Circuits
CIRTCUIT MATERIALS
3
Volts
A battery is a device that stores chemical energy and converts it to electrical energy. The chemical reactions in a battery involve the flow of electrons from one material (electrode) to another, through an external circuit. The flow of electrons provides an electric current that can be used to do work.
THE BATTERY
1.8 - 3.3
Volts
A light-emitting diode (LED) is a semiconductor device that emits light when an electric current flows through it. LEDs have positive (+) and negative (-) sides to them. For an LED to work it needs to be connected to a voltage source with the correct side.
THE LED
A switch is an electrical component that can disconnect or connect the conducting path in an electrical circuit. Interrupting the electric current turns the LED off, connecting the current turns it on.
THE SWITCH
An LED circuit requires three basic elements. The light, the wires that create a loop, and a battery.
A switch can also be added to allow you to open and close the circuit, turning on and off the light.
+
-
a switch is an electrical drawbridge when the bridge is up the electrons can't go anywhere
the Light Emitting Diode [LED] will provide our light
the battery holds the electrons
LED CIRCUIT BASICS
- Add your batteries in your battery holder
- Connect your LED to the battery pack
(If your battery pack wires end with "male" terminals, connect "female/female" &
if your battery pack wires end with "female" , connect male/female wires to your LED)