Typical LED Symbol, Construction and Lead Identification.

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Before we go in detail, we will try to get ride on below simple circuit, so that the other
calculation will be easier to understand.
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This is the Simplest LED Series circuit ever. Here, the supply voltage is 6V, LED
Forward Voltage (VF) is 1.3 Volt and Forward Current (IF) is 10mA.
Now the Value of resistor (which we will connect in Series with LED) for this circuit
would be:
Resistor Value = (Vsupply - VF)/ IF
= (6 -1.3) / 10mA = 470
Current draw = 20mA
Resistor Power rating formula for this circuit
Resistor Power Rating = IF2 x Resistor Value
= (10mA) 2 x 470 = 0.047W = 47mW
But This is the minimum required resistor value to ensure that resistor will not overheat,
so its recommended that to double the power rating of resistor that you have calculated,
therefore, choose 0.047W x 2 = 0.094W = 94mW resistor for this circuit.
Resistor power rating (Value is doubled) = 0.094 W = (94 mW)
Also keep in mind that:

It is too difficult to find the exact power rating resistors that you have calculated.
Generally, Resistors come in 1/4 watt, 1/2 watt, 1 watt, 2 watt, 5 watt, and so on.
Therefore, select the next higher value of power rating. For example, if youre
calculated value of resistor power rating is 0.789W = 789mW, then you would
select 1W Resistor.

It is too difficult to find the exact value of resistors that you have calculated.
Generally, Resistors come in standard values. If you are not able to find the exact
value of resistor that you have calculated, and then select the next coming value
of resistor that you have calculated, For Example, if the calculated value is
313.5, you would use the closest standard value, which is 330 . if the closest
value is not close enough, then you can make it by connecting resistors in series
parallel configuration.

IF = Forward Current of LED: This is the amount of maximum current that LED
can accept continuously. It is recommended that provide 80% of LED forward
current rating for long life and stability. For example, if the rating current of LED is
30mA, then you should run this LED on 24mA. Value of current over this amount
will shorten LED life or may start to smock and burn.

If you are still unable to find the LED forward current, than assume it 20mA
because a typical LED's run on 20mA.

VF = Forward Voltage of LED: This is the forward voltage of LED i.e. the voltage
drop when we supply the rated forward current. You can find this data on LEDs
Packages, but is somewhere between 1.3V to 3.5V depending on type, color and
brightness. If you are still unable to find the forward voltage, simply connect the
LED through 200 with 6V battery. Now measure the voltage across LED. It will
be 2V and this is the forward voltage.

Formula for finding the value of resistor(s) to connect LEDs in Series:

Below is another simple LEDs (LEDs Connected in Series) Circuit. In this circuit, we
have connected 6 LEDs in Series. Supply Voltage is 18V, The Forward Voltage (V F) of
LEDs is 2V and the forward Current (IF) is 20mA each.
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Resistor Value (LEDs in Series) = (Vsupply - (VF x No. of LEDs)) / IF

Here, Total forward voltage (VF) of 6 LEDs = 2 x 6 = 12V and forward Current (I F) is
same (i.e. 20mA)
(Note: this is a series circuit, so current in series circuit in each point is same while
voltages are additive)
Now, the value of resistor (for Series Circuit) would be:

= (Vsupply - (VF x No. of LEDs)) / IF

= (18 (2 x 6)) / 20mA
= (18-12) / 20mA = 300
Total Current draw = 20mA (This is series circuit, so currents are same)
Resistor Power Rating = IF2 x Resistor Value
= (20mA) 2 x 300 = 0.12 = 120mW
But This is the minimum required resistor value to ensure that resistor will not overheat,
so its recommended that to double the power rating of resistor that you have calculated,
therefore, choose 0.12W x 2 = 0.24W = 240mW resistor for this circuit.
Resistor power rating (Value is doubled) = 0.24 W = (240 mW)
Formula for finding the value of resistor(s) to connect LEDs in Parallel (With
Common Resistor):
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In this circuit, we have connected LEDs in parallel with common resistor. Supply
Voltage is 18V, The Forward Voltage (VF) of LEDs is 2V and the forward Current (IF) is
20mA each.
Resistor Value (LEDs in parallel With Common Resistor)
= (Vsupply - VF) / (IF x No. of LEDs)
Here, Total forward Current (IF) of 4 LEDs = 20mA x 4 = 0.08A, and forward Voltage (V F)
is same (i.e. 2V)
(Note: this is a parallel circuit, so voltage is parallel circuit is same in each point while
currents are additive)
Now, the value of resistor (for parallel Circuit with common resistor) would be:
= (Vsupply - VF) / (IF x No. of LEDs)
= (18 2) / 0.08 = 200
Total Current draw = 20mA x 4 = 80mA (This is parallel circuit, so currents are additive)
Resistor Power Rating = IF2 x Resistor Value
= (20mA) 2 x 200 = 0.08 W = 80mW
But This is the minimum required resistor value to ensure that resistor will not overheat,
so its recommended that to double the power rating of resistor that you have calculated,
therefore, choose 1.28W x 2 = 2.56W resistor for this circuit.
Resistor power rating (Value is doubled) = 2.56W (280 mW)
Formula for finding the value of resistor(s) for connecting LEDs in Parallel (With
Separate resistor)
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This is another way to connect LEDs in parallel with separate resistors. In this circuit,
we have connected 4 LEDs in parallel with separate resistors. Supply Voltage is 9V and
the Forward Voltage (VF) of LEDs is 2V and the forward Current (I F) is 20mA each.
Resistor Value (LEDs in parallel with separate Resistor)
= (Vsupply - VF)/ IF
Here, Total forward voltage (VF) of LEDs = 2 and forward Current (IF) 20mA (i.e. 20mA)
(Note: this is a parallel circuit, but we are finding the value of resistor for each section,
not for whole circuit. So in each section, the circuit becomes in Series position (refer to
the Series Circuit formula or the 1st simple circuit above, you will find that these are
same)
Now, the value of resistor (for parallel Circuit with separate resistors) would be:
= (Vsupply - VF)/ IF
= (9 2) / 20mA = 350
Total Current draw = 20mA x 4 = 80mA (This is parallel circuit, so currents are additive)
Resistor Power Rating = IF2 x Resistor Value
= (20mA) 2 x 350 = 0.14 = 140mW
But This is the minimum required resistor value to ensure that resistor will not overheat,
so its recommended that to double the power rating of resistor that you have calculated,
therefore, choose 0.14W x 2 = 0.28W = 280mW resistor for this circuit.
Resistor power rating (Value is doubled) = 0.28 W (280 mW)
There is another way (Series-Parallel Combination) to connect LEDs with battery; if you
understood this simple calculation then Im sure that you can easily calculate the value
of resistors for Series-Parallel Combination LEDs connection circuit.
- See more at: http://www.electricaltechnology.org/2013/08/how-to-calculate-value-of-resistorfor-LED-circuits.html#sthash.VhZf333L.THQmUYcu.dpuf