To measure a zener diode’s breakdown voltage, you need a dc voltage source whose voltage exceeds that of the zener voltage. In Figure 1, resistor R SER provides voltage drop between V IN and V ZEN. In ...

Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are often used with a voltage source from a power-supply output voltage. The output voltage increases until the current through the LEDs reaches the value of the ...

The polarity markings on LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) seem to be a common cause of confusion. The polarity may be indicated by a flat section on one side of the body or by one lead being shorter than ...

Since the earliest versions of indoor LED light bulbs were developed, their designers have faced a variety of technical challenges. These include AC-to-DC power conversion, thermal design/heat-sinking ...

I don’t know about you, but although I like reading about electronics in a theoretical sort of way, there’s nothing I enjoy more than the hands-on building of something and then watching that thing ...

It isn’t unusual to expect a precisely regulated voltage in an electronic project, but what about times when you need a precise current? Over on EDN, prolific [Stephen Woodward] explains how to use a ...