Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Wiring led with dcc???

881 views
3 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Wiring led with dcc???
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, November 6, 2004 3:34 AM
[V] How can know wich side is the cathode of a Led?

If i wire it the wrong way, will i damage the decoder or the led?

thanks for your help guys...
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, November 6, 2004 10:25 AM
Cathode (negative) is shorter
Anode (positive) is longer
  • Member since
    August 2004
  • 232 posts
Posted by ckape on Saturday, November 6, 2004 11:25 AM
If you wire the LED backwards it will simply not light up until it is wired correctly, nothing will be damaged.
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
  • 13,757 posts
Posted by cacole on Sunday, November 7, 2004 8:23 AM
Don't forget, you will need a current limiting resistor on that LED or you can damage the decoder. A typical LED draws 1.3 Volts at 75mA or less. A typical decoder's headlight circuitry puts out 12-14 Volts at 100mA. Most decoder documentation recommends a resistor value of 220 to 270 Ohms, to protect the decoder.

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!