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I have this circuit:

enter image description here

If D2 was a resistance, I could just combine it with R2 to get some composite resistance that I could put in series with R1. That way, I could calculate the resistance of the entire circuit and, thus, the total current.

Now, this is not the case here but I know a few things here:

  • whatever voltage drops at D2, also drops at R2
  • the current through R1 is the same as through R2+D2

But I do not know the current from the beginning, so I cannot calculate the voltage drop at R1. And the diode is non-ohmic, so I cannot find out anything about it.

In this way, I do not see how I could apply Kirchhoff's laws or any other methods because I seem to be missing information... where do I start here?

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  • $\begingroup$ Although the diode is not ohmic, it still has a characteristics describing its voltage-current relation. $\endgroup$
    – peterh
    Apr 28, 2019 at 22:12

1 Answer 1

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One good place is to start is LTL-307EE datasheet. From the datasheet take look at current profile for the device. Below is the forward current and voltage characteristics.

LED forward current and voltage graphs

Also take look at absolute maximum rating for the device.

Absolute Max ratings

Now you have to size R1 resistor such that no more than in this case 30mA of current flows through the LED. R1 is called a current limiting resistor. I would size the R1 to make ensure 25mA of current, with will provide Relative Luminous Intensity of around 3.0. Like wise R2 can be used to manage current LED current flow.

I hope this help you get started.

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  • $\begingroup$ Well, I know the usual (V_in-V_led)/I formula where V_led and I are the desired values. But does R2 not change everything? It seems to get more complicated that way since current splits according to resistance $\endgroup$
    – IceFire
    Apr 29, 2019 at 4:32
  • $\begingroup$ Yes, R2 can also be used to manage the current flow in the LED. Can you please give use the purpose of the circuit? What is V2? Is it battery or constant current source? $\endgroup$
    – Mahendra Gunawardena
    Apr 29, 2019 at 11:44
  • $\begingroup$ V2 is a constant voltage source. Purpose of the circuit is to learn electrical engineering with details $\endgroup$
    – IceFire
    Apr 29, 2019 at 12:46
  • $\begingroup$ I suggest selecting a forward voltage of 2V. The representative current is around 20mA . Ohm's laws is V=IR. so you can calculate the representative resistance. Replace the LED with a resistor. Also you know the voltage across the resistor. $\endgroup$
    – Mahendra Gunawardena
    Apr 29, 2019 at 16:23
  • $\begingroup$ I would like to know how to calculate exact values and what influence R2 has. Also, Ohm’s law does not apply to an LED, so what is the point in replacing it? $\endgroup$
    – IceFire
    Apr 29, 2019 at 16:25

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