42 Soar 50 Simple LED Circuits
42 Soar 50 Simple LED Circuits
Circuits
R.N. SOAR
50 SIMPLE
L.E.D. CIRCUITS
by
R. N. SOAR
BABANI PRESS
The Publishing Division of
Babani Trading and Finance Co. Ltd.
The Grampians
Shepherds Bush Road
London W6 7NI-
England
Although every care is taken with the preparation of this book, the
publishers or author will not be responsible in any way for any errors
that might occur.
f t* -i. •
v /“
..... tr>
CONTENTS U.V.H.R*
Circuit Page
No.
1 LED Pilot Light......................................... 7
2 LED Stereo Beacon.................................... 8
3 Stereo Decoder Mono/Sterco Indicator . . . 9
4 Subminiature LED Torch........................... 10
5 Low Voltage Low Current Supply............ 11
6 Microlight Indicator .................................. 12
7 Ultra Low Current LED Switching Indicator 13
8 LED Stroboscope....................................... 14
9 12 Volt Car Circuit Tester........................... 15
10 Two Colour LED......................................... 16
11 12 Volt Car “Fuse Blown” Indicator.......... 17
12 LED Continuity Tester............................... 17
13 LED Current Overload Indicator.............. 18
14 LED Current Range Indicator................... 20
15 1.5 Volt LED “Zener”................. '............ 22
16 Extending Zener Voltage........................... 22
17 Four Voltage Regulated Supply................. 23
18 PsychaLEDic Display.................................. 24
.19 Dual Colour Display.................................... 25
20 Dual Signal Device....................................... 26
21 LED Triple Signalling.................................. 27
22 Sub-Miniature Light Source for Model Railways . . . . 28
23 Portable Television Protection Circuit . . 29
24 Improved Portable TV Protection Circuit 30
25 LED Battery Tester............................... 31
26 Simple LED Timer.................................. 32
27 LED Logic Probe.................................... 33
28 Flashing LED Display........................... 34
29 Experimental Unijunction LED Flasher. 35
30 Audio Frequency Zero Beat Indicator. . 37
31 Simple Transistor Tester........................ 37
32 Simple NPN/PNP Transistor Tester. . . . 38
33 Very Low Current LED on/off Indicator 39
34 Binary Demonstrator............................. 40
>
35 LED Nighdight.............................................. 42
36 IC LED Flasher.............................................. 43
37 Automatic Mains/Battery Switch................. 44
38 Voltage Comparator....................................... 45
39 LED/Zener Voltage Measuring........ 46
40 LED/Zener Voltage Range Measuring Circuit 47
41 Constant Current Charger............................. 48
42 Multizener....................................... 49
43 Dual Voltage Regulator................. 51
44 Low Voltage Tester........................ 53
45 Optically Isolated Variable Resistance.......... 54
46 Three LED Preset Station Indicator............ 55
The 707 Common Anode Display................. 57
47 Random Number Display............................. 57
48 ' Legend Display ............................................... 59
49 “Roman” 1,2, 3 Display............................. 60
50 Numerical Display......................................... 61
INTRODUCTION
5
Anode
\ Flat
\
T.Cathode
Anode
lead
__ Cathode
lead
=
6
■
CIRCUIT ONE
+ 18-24 V
4 7 K XL
\
\
-ve —ve
DIAGRAM 1.
7
CIRCUIT TWO
Notch
V +
C 1 14 □
□ □
4 7 XU c □
□ MC1310 □
\ a D
X *— qe 3
Pin 6
MC1310
c7 e □
DIAGRAM 2.
A LCD can be used with almost any stereo decoder which has
a stereo beacon facility. In older decoders the LCD and
4.7KL2 resistor can be wired in place of the stereo indicator
bulb. If the decoder is positive earth (likely if PNC transistors
used) the LCD should be wired with the cathode connected
to the negative supply voltage.
CIRCUIT THREE
V +
Notch
L 14 2 2 KA
MC1310
Green
9 Stereo/mono
8
DIAGRAM 3.
10
battery
+
DIAGRAM 4
CIRCUIT FIVE
R1
100 TI
D1
LED I
-f C1
100 p-F
6-3 V
winding I 16 V
DIAGRAM 5.
11
CIRCUIT SIX
MICROLIGHT INDICATOR
+9 V
100 K&
2 mm \
LED
DIAGRAM 6.
12
=
CIRCUIT SEVEN
This circuit uses a red LED to indicate that a circuit has been
switched to a particular function, the LED is only required to
glow for a few seconds for reliable indication and can then be
extinguished. The basis of the circuit is that a capacitor is
charged up by the battery supply and the capacitor supplies
the current for the LED. once the capacitor is discharged the
LED ceases to glow. The switches shown in the diagram (7)
are ganged to the function switch, which could be the PLAY/
RECORD switch fitted to a battery tape recorder.
+9 V /h/: R1
+
D1 \
Y
-ve
DIAGRAM 7.
13
Components List
Cl lOOOpF 16v electrolytic
R1 22KH 'AW
D1 RED LED
SWITCH 2 pole 2 way (part of function switch)
CIRCUIT EIGHT
LED STROBOSCOPE
390 n,
DIAGRAM 8.
14
CIRCUIT NINE
This is a LED probe for testing 12 volt car wiring circuits. One
lead of the tester is clipped to chassis, which forms the negative
connection, the second lead is in the form of a probe. When
the probe touches a connection at a potential of 12 volts with
respect to chassis, the LED will glow brightly.
470 SI
Probe
(positive)
Crocodile clip
to chassis
negative
DIAGRAM 9
If the tester is required for use with a positive chassis car the
LED should be wired the other way round so that the anode
is connected to the chassis (positive).
If a 2mm red LED is used for the tester, this together with a
470E2 '/^W resistor can be fitted inside an empty transparent
bail-point pen tube, the negative lead can be a flying lead
fitted with a crocodile clip. The probe can be a long screw
or nail secured in the tube with polystyrene cement.
15
CIRCUIT TEN
+9 V
22 22
KSl ka
I
Green
LED 51 \
-ve
DIAGRAM 10.
16
CIRCUIT ELEVEN
This is a simple indicator circuit for car use. The LED and its
series resistor arc wired across the car fuse. As long as the fuse
is intact, the LED is shorted out and does not glow. If the
fuse blows the current now passes through the LED and the
LED glows to indicate “FUSE BLOWN". A small current
Hows into the car circuit via the LED but this is only a few
mA.
Fuse
+ 12 V To circuit
4 7 KA LED
SN
DIAGRAM 11
CIRCUIT TWELVE
17
LED 220 n,
—£4
— 4 5V
battery
+
Probe Probe
DIAGRAM 12
CIRCUIT THIRTEEN
This is a very simple but useful circuit for indicating the current
flowing in a circuit. It may be of interest to teachers as a
simple demonstration of OHM’s Law.
18
15 Si,
To circuit
LED
DIAGRAM 13.
The voltage drop across a red LED is about 1 A volts, i.e. there
must be a voltage of about 1 'A volts across a LED for it to
glow. A red LED is connected in parallel with a 1.5f2 3 watt
wirewound resistor. The voltage drop across the resistor
increases with increasing current, when the voltage drop
exceeds 1.5 volts the LED will glow.
From OHM’s Law
V= 1R
If V= 1.5 volts
R= 1.5 ohms
then I = 1 Amp
this means that if the current flowing through the resistor is
greater than about 1 amp the LED glows.
R=3
nearest resistor value is 3.3
wattage rating is R
R = 39.
I = 0.5
I2 = 0.5 x 0.5
= 0.25
W = 0.25 x 3
W = 0.75
a resistor of at least I watt rating must be used.
CIRCUIT FOURTEEN
15 n
To circuit
LED
\\
DIAGRAM 14
21
CIRCUIT FIFTEEN
+3 V +3V
220 Si 100 Si
15 V + 22V +
Red
LED
DIAGRAM 15.
f
Green
LED
r
Tliis is very useful as zener diodes are not available in voltages
below 2.7V. The current through the LED must, as with a
zener diode, be limited by a resistor. If a 2.2 volt reference
source is required a green LED can be utilised. The LEDs are
under forward bias unlike a true zener diode which is reverse
biased for voltage regulation i.e. with cathode positive.
CIRCUIT SIXTEEN
+12 V
A 680 a
+-
^LED 7-5 +15 V
10 nF da"
16 V — J-9V
* 75 V
zener
DIAGRAM 16.
CIRCUIT SEVENTEEN
23
CIRCUIT EIGHTEEN
PsychaLEDic Display
This is a very simple two red LED flashing light display which
plugs into the earpiece socket of a small transistor radio. The
LEDs are powered by the transistor radio audio output, and
flash on and off in time to the music, themusic itself can be
heard on a second radio tuned to the same radio station. The
two radios combine to/ give a sound and light display.
The volume control of the radio should be adjusted so that
the LEDs glow dimly on quiet sounds as monitored on the
second radio, the LEDs will then flash brightly on loud sounds.
24
Input
from / \
radio 7 X
DIAGRAM 18.
The LED display should only be used with the output from
a small transistor radio, a large audio signal will overload the
LEDs and damage them.
CIRCUIT NINETEEN
25
Input
from
radio
^ IN4001
Red
//
X
Green
DIAGRAM 19.
CIRCUIT TWENTY
26
1
2\
battery Jf^L
i
o /
7 f1
LED 11____ |LED2
\
+
O
DIAGRAM 20
CIRCUIT TWENTY-ONE
27
V
2 x IN4001
2 V
S3\S
-------- O
Switch
AC O /
V \
LE01 jLED2
DIAGRAM 21.
CIRCUIT TWENTY-TWO
28
4 x IN4001
Locomotive
supply
470 a NN
470 w
2 mm
LEDs
470 n.
DIAGRAM 22
CIRCUIT TWENTY-THREE
In the circuit the 1N5400 rectifier will only conduct and pass
current to the circuit if the applied polarity is correct. If the
battery polarity is correct the red LED is reverse biased and .
does not glow. If the battery polarity is incorrect the 1N5400 \
is reverse biased and will not conduct protecting the television
circuit from damage, the red LED is now forward biased and
will glow to indicate FAULT - battery reversed.
29
IN5400
+ 12 V
1 KA
TV circuit
I
LED \
\
DIAGRAM 23.
CIRCUIT TWENTY-FOUR
IMPROVED PORTABLE TV
PROTECTION CIRCUIT
30
IN5400
+ 12 V ►f
2 2 KA 1 KA +
TV circuit
N
\
Red
DIAGRAM 24
CIRCUIT TWENTY-FIVE
6 V
220 SI
\ LED3
\
O4 5 V
220 SI
X LED2
Test
03 V probes
220 SI
\ LED1
\
DIAGRAM 25.
31
I
This is a simple inexpensive GOOD/NO GOOD tester for 3v,
4V4v or 6v batteries. The switch sets the tester to the various •
voltages. A 3 volt battery will make LED 1 glow, a 4'A volt
battery will make LED 1 and LED 2 glow, a 6 volt battery
will make LED 1, LED 2 and LED 3 glow.
CIRCUIT TWENTY-SIX
On/off
O + 6-9 V
R1
560
R2
22
I 1 K,n
>n,
/
C1 /
2000 nF c
b
-41 e
/ 80108
Time
T — ve
BC108
DIAGRAM 26.
32
This is a simple electronic timer, when the TIME button is
pressed the red LED is extinguished, about 30 seconds later
the LED glows again to indicate time elapsed. The time
period depends on the value of Cl, increasing the value of
Cl extends the time period. The circuit can be powered by
6 to 9 volts.
Components List
R1 560-Q
R2 22KL2 J4W
R3 1 Kft \
Cl 2000pF 16V electrolytic
Transistor silicon NPN BC108 or similar
Time switch SPST type
CIRCUIT TWENTY-SEVEN
33
When the probe is connected to the 5 volt supply both red and
, green LEDs will glow. When the logic probe touches a circuit
connection, if the GREEN LED glows brightly this indicates
logic level 0, if the RED LED glows brightly this indicates logic
level 1.
CIRCUIT TWENTY-EIGHT
+9 V
/ LED1 LED2 \
7
R1
hR222 hR3
22 R4
470 Ukjl U KvO, 470
SI SI
'-4C1 C2
4-7 nF 4 7 jiF
c c
b b
e 8C108 BC108
e
—ve
BC108
DIAGRAM 28.
34
The values indicated in the circuit diagram give a rapid on/off
display, if the value of Cl and C2 is increased this will give a
lower frequency and hence slower flashing rate.
Components List
R1 470f2 ' Cl 4.7pF 16V
R2 22KF2 C2 4.7pF 16V
WW
R3 22K52 LED1.LED2 red LEDs
R4 470.Q
Trl, Tr2 BC108 or similar silicon NPN transistors
CIRCUIT TWENTY-NINE
EXPERIMENTAL UNIJUNCTION
LED FLASHER
The flashes are not very bright, with some LEDs the flash may
only be visible in a darkened room. The brilliance of the flash
may be increased by using a supply of 18 volts.
R1 R2
22 1 KSl
MSI b2
e
TIS43
b-1
C1
2047
HF R3
220 /
ji 7
—ve
TIS43
connections
b1 b2 e
DIAGRAM 29.
Components List
R1 2.2Mft
R2 lKft >/4W
R3 220ft .
Cl 0.47uF'
Unijunction transistor type T1S43 or UT46
36
CIRCUIT THIRTY
220X1 !
DIAGRAM 30.
AF
voltage
=== 3 V
a
/
7
D \
l CIRCUIT THIRTY-ONE
i
SIMPLE TRANSISTOR TESTER
i
c
b Transistor
o under Test
test
e
DIAGRAM 31.
I
CIRCUIT THIRTY-TWO |
38
1
NPN
c/^QPNP
A7 A
/ +
NPN PNP
asa
0 10 KjfL I 470 A
i
9 V
i bottery
Jc
Transistor
b under
test
Test
DIAGRAM 32
CIRCUIT THIRTY-THREE
39
-»
On/off
To rest
I
&
of circuit
LED1 \
\
2 2
LED2 A ^
1000 mE
+
16 V
7^7 —ve
DIAGRAM 33.
CIRCUIT THIRTY-FOUR
BINARY DEMONSTRATOR
40
Counting is
DENARY BINARY
1 1
2 1 0
3 1 1
4 1 0 0
5 1 0 1
6 1 1 0
1 indicated by a LED illuminated
0 indicated by a LED not illuminated
The switch used is a 2 pole 6 way type.
The circuit can be extended if a switch with more than 6
positions is available, with 4 LEDs in use the maximum
count is 11 11 which corresponds to 15, although as switches
are not usually available for more than 12 way the maximum
count possible will be 1100 (12).
2° 21 2Z
+9 V
/
LED1 LED2 LED3
7
1 K 1K 1
1
O- 02
O 04 .t
n: -ve i
DIAGRAM 34.
41
CIRCUIT THIRTY-FIVE
LED NIGHTLIGHT
On/off
-cSo—+9 V
C1
2 2 nF £
16 V
T
c
3 x BC108 b
e
390 SI
LED
7A
—ve
DIAGRAM 35.
42
:
CIRCUIT THIRTY-SIX
IC LED FLASHER
+5 V
1
3
'/ E C1
L
Notch
14 □
+ l C2 q 0
47 q □
KF C 7400 3
C1 16 V
+ c □
in
47 p.F C 3
16 V C7 8 1
f Connections to
gates 3 & 4
6 1 (13)
2 (12)
■ ► 3 (11)
IC pin 7 (— ve) 4 (14)
4-7 4-7 5 (9)
K K4L 6 (8)
—ve Pin 14 = +ve
Pin 7 = — ve
DIAGRAM 36.
43
the other 2 gates can also be connected together in similar
fashion to form a second multivibrator. The pin numbers on
the diagram are the connections to the 14 pin IC, the numbers
given in brackets are the connections to the other 2 gates.
The circuit should be powered from a 5 volt supply, although
a 4'/l volt battery can be used. The time interval between
flashes depends on the volume of Cl and C2, for a longer
time period (lower frequency) i.e. slower flashing rate a larger
value of electrolytic capacitor e.g. IOOjuF or 220pF can be
used.
CIRCUIT THIRTY-SEVEN
44
+9 V
mains
supply To circuit
4- LED
9 V
reserve
-T battery
X
DIAGRAM 37
CIRCUIT THIRTY-EIGHT
VOLTAGE COMPARATOR
The two transistors used are silicon NPN types such as BC108.
The two transistors used in the circuit should be a matched
pair if possible.
45
i
CIRCUIT THIRTY-NINE
DIAGRAM 39
CIRCUIT FORTY
47
1 Kifl,
I
^led 3 x IN4001
10 V
zener
— ve
DIAGRAM 40.
CIRCUIT FORTY-ONE
48
-9 V
LED n ’
b
22 XL
e
2N697
c
DIAGRAM 41.
CIRCUIT FORTY-TWO
MULTIZENER
49
For each position the voltage control value is double the
previous section. The first “element” is a red LED which gives
a voltage drop of I'A volts, the next element is a green LED
and a silicon rectifier in series which gives a total voltage drop
of nearly 3 volts (2.2 volts + 0.75 volts)'as the forward voltage
drops across a green LED is about 2.2 volts.
The voltages available are 1 Viv, 3v, 4'/iv, 6v, 7'/4v, 9v, 10!4v.
12v, 13‘/2V, 15v, 16'/iv, 18v, 19Viv, 21 v and 22V4v.
Components List
D1.D4 Red LED
D3, D6 Green LED
D2 1N4001 silicon rectifier
D5 4.7v 400mW zener diode
D6 lOv
CIRCUIT FORTY-THREE
3?
+12 V OOutput
R1
1000 680
I 16 V
£1 b
6 V 9V
47 V 68 V
DIAGRAM 43.
I IN4001
-ve
Components List
R1 Resistor 680£2 V4W
D1 4.7v 400mW zener
D2 Red LED
D3 ln4001 silicon rectifier
D4 6.8v 400mW zener
D5 Green LED
Transistor 2N697
Cl lOOOpF 16v electrolytic capacitor
S2
'
CIRCUIT FORTY-FOUR
1
This is a very simple two red LED circuit to test low voltages.
The 2 LEDs and the resistor are fitted inside a small plastic
box equipped with 2 flying lest leads. LED 1 is fitted next to
lead I. LED 2 is fitted next to lead 2.
Lead 2
2 2 KSl
i i
M
LED1 LED2
Lead 1
DIAGRAM 44.
53
. ‘
CIRCUIT FORTY-FIVE
OPTICALLY ISOLATED
VARIABLE RESISTANCE
This is a circuit for the experimenter. The light from a red LED
is allowed to fall onto an ORP12 or similar cadmium sulphide
photoconductive cell. The cadmium sulphide cell has a resis
tance in the dark (i.e. no light on it) of several million ohms,
under very bright conditions the resistance may fall to a few
hundred ohms or less, so that a wide range of resistance is
possible.
100 KJT
LIN
t + ve 9 volts
CdS 390 sfb
cell /
0RP12 7
/ LED
7
-ve
I
DIAGRAM 45.
CIRCUIT FORTY-SIX
© O ONE
o e TWO
o o THREE
O © © FOUR
o © o FIVE
o o © SIX
DIAGRAM 46 (a)
1A
LED1
5A
+9 V
3A \\ 2 2 KTL
38
LED2
-W—<=■—
2 2 KA
+9 v
2A \\
-ve
5B
4A LED3
O +9 V
6B \\ 2 2 KT1
DIAGRAM 46 (b).
56
SWITCH I a, b. c is for station 1
SWITCH 2 a, b, c is for station 2 etc.
CIRCUIT FORTY-SEVEN
O O
PIN 1 cathode A
O A O PIN 2 cathode F
PIN 3 common ANODE
°F G
B®
PIN 6 cathode DP
O PIN 7 cathode E
• E co PIN 8 cathode D
D
□ o PIN 10 cothode C
O o PIN 11 cothode G
PIN 13 cathode 8
o o
DIAGRAM 47,
58
CIRCUIT FORTY-EIGHT
LEGEND DISPLAY
680 dl
To decodes
□
+9 V
□
C
DIAGRAM 48.
59
The 707 display by suitable interconnections can display.
1 or 1 6 or G
2 7
3 8 or B
4 or H 9
5 orS 0 or 0
also A, C, E, F, H, L, P, U and with the decimal point,
.1, .2, .3, .4, .5, .6, .7, .8, .9, .0.
CIRCUIT FORTY-NINE
ROMAN 1, 2, 3 DISPLAY
X
-ve
4 7 tax
o
1 14 p
47
c 2 13 □
+9 V 3
707 „
display^
P
O"7
KX1
C6 9 P
c 7 8
DIAGRAM 49.
60
I is segment G on
II is segments D and A on
III is segments D, A and G on.
NUMERICAL DISPLAY
©
© I
®r-o i
i
i
2 2 KIL i
-ve
1
1-q 1 14 □
+9 V
a2 13
—d 3
707 11
10
C 6 9 p
7 8
DIAGRAM 50.
61
The 707 display can with the use of switching display several
numbers in turn. The switching is simplified if the numbers
have common segments. For example a circuit to display 8 or
9 is very simple the difference is segment E, only this needs
to be switched ON and OFF to change the number. If segments
ABCDFG are continuously on and E off 9 is displayed, if E is
on an 8 is displayed. Other examples are 5 and 6 this pair of
numbers differ in one segment only.
62 =
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BABANI PRESS BP42
!
!
50 Simple L.E.D.
Circuits
BABANI PRESS
Bibliotheek Ned. Ven
The Grampians
Shepherds Bush Road
London W6 7NF
England