About the fact that you can connect LEDs not only one at a time. And also in groups. We have already discussed the previous article.
Serial connection of LEDs pros and cons
As I said, there are not so many options for connecting LEDs.
- Serial connection of LEDs
- Parallel connection
- And combined connection (series-parallel)
And we have already discussed the first option. It was a serial connection of LEDs. Now let’s talk about the next thing — parallel connection.
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Parallel connection of LEDs
Schematically, this connection can be depicted as follows:
Well, this is of course a sketch. In practice, this is not possible.
As we remember, the main criteria for supplying power to an LED is the current it consumes. This results in a voltage drop across the LED. It just corresponds to the supply voltage of the LED.
The simplest method is to apply a certain current. This is to use a current limiting resistor in the LED power circuit.
It’s all simple and clear. When we have one LED. But how to connect a group of LEDs in parallel, or at least two, three.
It seems to be simple, but it’s not. The diagram below cannot be used.
Each LED when connected in parallel. No matter how many there are. Must have its own current limiting resistor.
And of course, how to correctly calculate the resistance of this resistor when connecting LEDs in parallel. The calculations and the formula are no different from the formula for connecting one LED.
Pros and Cons of Parallel Connecting LEDs
First, of course, the pros.
- The main advantage of this connection is that if one or more LEDs from this group burn out. All others will glow.
- The second plus is the low supply voltage of the LED line. How many do not add LEDs. The supply voltage remains the same. Only the total current consumption increases.
Cons of paralleling LEDs
- The main disadvantage — With this connection of LEDs, this is a complication of the power circuit. Due to the fact that each LED individually needs a current limiting device. Even if it’s just resistors.
- The next minus immediately follows from this — an increase in the cost of the structure.
- Also, parallel connection complicates the power supply for each individual LED. Let’s say if you have a garland.
