Re: voltage divider or series current resistor

NJM wrote:
Please correct me if I am wrong, but it seems the divider would actually waste some energy because it is being sent to ground.

Correct

What is the determining factor in deciding which to use?

When the load uses a constant current a series resistor is enough.

Is the reason a series resistor with LEDs because the LED has a resistance of its own therefore creating a sort of divider?

Sort of.


For calculating led circuits, try this program:
http://www.miscel.dk/MiscEl/miscelLeds.html

It can also do a lot of other electric calculations:
http://www.miscel.dk/MiscEl/miscel.html
.

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