LED - Basic Red 5mm

LEDs - those blinky things. A must have for power indication, pin status, opto-electronic sensors, and fun blinky displays.

This is a very basic 5mm LED with a red lens. It has a typical forward voltage of 2.0V and a rated forward current of 20mA.

  • 1.8-2.2VDC forward drop
  • Max current: 20mA
  • Suggested using current: 16-18mA
  • Luminous Intensity: 150-200mcd

LED - Basic Red 5mm Product Help and Resources

SparkFun Paper Circuit Kits

July 5, 2018

Learn how to build a simple paper circuit using copper tape, a 5mm LED, and a 3V coin cell battery.

Core Skill: Electrical Prototyping

If it requires power, you need to know how much, what all the pins do, and how to hook it up. You may need to reference datasheets, schematics, and know the ins and outs of electronics.

2 Electrical Prototyping

Skill Level: Rookie - You may be required to know a bit more about the component, such as orientation, or how to hook it up, in addition to power requirements. You will need to understand polarized components.
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  • Member #952952 / about 7 years ago / 1

    What the wavelenght of this led red?

  • tuttipazzixpizzi / about 12 years ago / 1

    I've a question: can a led like this work at 24v with a resistor?

    • Emerald / about 10 years ago / 2

      2.2 volts is the minimum voltage drop across the diode for it to light up. So, 24 VDC satisfies that requirement next you need to make sure the current through the diode does not exceed the max 20mA rating listed, recommends designing for 16-18mA current. Let's say 16mA for ease of calculation. With a series circuit of power supply, LED and a resistor you get Vres = 24 - 2.2 = 21.8 V. Then simply, R = V/I = 21.8 / 16e-3 =~ 1.3kOhm.

    • The max forward voltage for this LED is 2.2v. Take a look at the datasheet for more information about the max ratings for this.

      • Member #543131 / about 11 years ago / 1

        Does this mean that you can't apply more than 2.2 V across the LED terminals without running into trouble?

        • These are the LEDs we use in our Inventor's Kit with the Arduino Uno and the Redboard. We do run these off of a 5V line, but always with current limiting resistors in circuit. You shouldn't have any issue with that.

  • RaymondBotha / about 15 years ago / 1

    When will this be in stock?

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