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Current Limiting Resistor

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A current limiting resistor is a resistor that is used to reduce the current in a circuit.

A simple example is a resistor in series with an LED.

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You would usually want to have a current limiting resistor in series with your LED so that you can control the amount of current through the LED.

If too much current is going through your LED, it will burn out too fast. If too little current is going through it, it might not be enough to lit the LED.

Calculating the necessary resistor value

A current limiting resistor in series with an LED

Check the datasheet of your component to find voltage drop and the appropriate current for your LED.

If you can’t find a datasheet, you can test it.

Connect the LED and a resistor in series to a variable voltage source. Start at 0 volts and increase the voltage gradually until the LED lit up.

Measure the voltage over the LED and the current going through.

Let’s say the LED needs 15 mA and has a voltage drop of 2 volts. You have a 5 V power source that you would like to power it with. Which resistor value do you need?

To find the resistor value, we start with finding the voltage drop over the resistor. Since there is a 2 volt drop over the LED, there will be a 3V drop over the resistor.

Ok, so we have 3V and we want to have 15 mA going through the resistor and the LED.

To find the necessary resistor value we use Ohm’s law.

V = R * I \Rightarrow R = \frac{V}{I}

this gives us

R = \frac{V}{I} = \frac{3V}{15mA} = 200 \Omega

So the necessary value for the current limiting resistor is 200 Ohms.

Choosing the right resistor

So you know that you need a 200 Ohm resistor.

But when you look for components you find that there are several different types of resistors.

Well, the only thing you need to be aware of is the wattage rating of the component. How much effect can the resistor handle?

So you need to figure out how much effect that will be dissipated in your resistor.

To find this you use the following formula for calculating power

P = I*V

It states that power equals the current multiplied with the voltage. So we get

P = 15 mA * 3V = 45mW

This means your resistor must be able to handle at least 45 mW.

Usually, most resistors handle from 250 mW and up, so it will be easy to find a suitable resistor.

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Comments

  6. very nice answer sir awesome which is really needy for learners.
    Sir, now in above you explained the conditions of requirement of resistor in circuit, i am very interested to know what are the conditions that makes to use capacitor & inductor in circuit & how to calculate the exact value of capacitor & inductor.
    please explain me the importance of EMI & EMC in the circuit. Please explain sir, waiting for your valuable reply.

    Regards,
    Prashant.

    Reply

  7. Hi Sir,

    Please explain me what is the meaning of Equivalent Series Resistance(ESR) & Its importance in the circuit.

    Regards,
    Prashant.

    Reply

  10. What will happen if you use a higher value of resistor ?? .. I used a 9v battery 390ohm resistor to light up an led and it still works for 1k and even 10k .. Pls explain

    Reply

    • If you use a higher value resistor, you get less current through your LED and your LED will be less bright.

      Cheers!
      Oyvind

      Reply

  11. It would be nice if Your teaching wouldn’t assume that we dommies new what these formulas were about , As You teach add notations to Your formulas !, to explain them , I no it takes up more space ! Pictures fill in the Q?????

    Reply

  15. What if a have 12v input and needs to light up a 10v led.what resistor will i need and the type of transisitor to be use?

    Hoping you could help me.tnx..

    Reply

  16. Explaining scientifc knowledge (or fact) easy is not an easy thing to do. Great explanation and an example. What if I change + and – of the battery? Does an resistor still function what it has to do (does it reduce properly the voltage needed to the LED?)

    Reply

  19. Great explanation and very easy to understand as a beginner like me.

    thanks for your great effort

    Reply

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