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This document describes a low voltage white LED driver circuit that uses electromagnetic induction to operate white LEDs from a 1.5V battery. The circuit works by using a transistor and transformer to create an oscillating current that produces a higher voltage on the transformer's secondary winding. This stepped-up voltage is sufficient to power two white LEDs connected in series, overcoming the LEDs' voltage requirements. The circuit works by turning the transistor on and off rapidly to induce a back EMF in the transformer each time that collapses the magnetic field and drives the LEDs.

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73 views2 pages

Man Tech

This document describes a low voltage white LED driver circuit that uses electromagnetic induction to operate white LEDs from a 1.5V battery. The circuit works by using a transistor and transformer to create an oscillating current that produces a higher voltage on the transformer's secondary winding. This stepped-up voltage is sufficient to power two white LEDs connected in series, overcoming the LEDs' voltage requirements. The circuit works by turning the transistor on and off rapidly to induce a back EMF in the transformer each time that collapses the magnetic field and drives the LEDs.

Uploaded by

beauty sense
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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TEL JHB : (011) 493-9307

MANTECH CAPE : (021) 535-3150


KZN : (031) 309-7692
ELECTRONICS FAX : (011) 493-9319

International Components Distributor [email protected]


_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

LOW VOLTAGE WHITE LED DRIVER MEK02-001-FA

IMAGE

LED’s are semiconductors that produce visible or infrared light when a current passes through them as a
result of an applied DC voltage. Different colour LED’s require different voltage to generate sufficient
current before they will produce useful light output.

In the case of a white LED, this DC voltage is between 3 and 4 volts DC. This means that we cannot operate
a white LED from a 1.5V battery, without additional circuitry. The second challenge is that DC voltages can’t
be transformed with the use of a simple conventional transformer.
INTRODUCTION
This kit, using the circuit and technique shown below, overcomes these challenges in a simplified yet very
effective way. The technique is based on the principle that when an electromagnetic circuit is turned off, it
produces a voltage significantly higher than that which turned it on in the first place ( back EMF ). This
happens as a result of the collapsing magnetic field initially produced.

This circuit is also commonly referred to as Joule-Thief because is able to “steal” energy from very low
voltage sources, such as single cell batteries or discharged old batteries.

CIRCUIT
DIAGRAM

www.mantech.co.za
Po Box 260455, EXCOM, 2023 SOUTH AFRICA 32 Laub Str., New centre, Johannesburg, 2001
LOW VOLTAGE WHITE LED DRIVER MEK02-001-FA ( page 2 of 2 )

For the ease of understanding, the circuit above can be divided into various sections : the source of DC
power ( the 1.5V battery ), the oscillator ( the transistor and the transformer), the step up transformer ( the
same transformer ) and the obvious 2 x LED requiring over 6V to operate.

Imagine the instant when the battery is first connected. Current will first flow from the battery, through the
primary of the transformer and the 1K ohm resistor into the base of the transistor, turning the transistor on
and producing a current and magnetic field in the secondary of the transformer.
At this stage the LEDs were, and are off because the 1.5V coming through the secondary of the transformer
was insufficient to turn them on ( Because they are in series, they requires 6V or more ).

However, when the current starts flowing in the secondary, it produces a voltage on the primary, of the
opposite polarity to that which the battery initially delivered, hence turning the transistor off and
subsequently turning off the secondary too. The collapse of the secondary current and magnetic field,
EXPLANATION produces a back EMF / voltage on the secondary, sufficiently high and of the correct polarity to drive the
LEDs. Hence the LEDs will illuminate, consuming the stored magnetic energy !
And so the cycle will repeat itself…

Please note the dots close to each winding of the transformer. This indicates the start point of the windings
or the direction in which it is wound. The primary and secondary are wound in different directions, so as to
generate the reverse voltage on the primary that will turn the transistor off as mentioned above. See image
below for wiring details.

This is the same electrical principle used to turn on fluorescent tubes and the spark plugs in your car.

More explanations, images and circuits related to this matter can be found on the internet.

We also keep other kits related to this one and many others.

In the image below, you can clearly see the two signals
discussed above… The yellow trace is the output driving
A close-up view of the transformer’s primary or
the LED, while the blue trace is the feedback from the 5
feedback winding ( red ) and the secondary in grey.
turn winding. In this particular example, the circuit is
oscillating at about 2.6KHz.

_______________________________________________________________________________________
Pa ge |2

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