what is bi-polar LED?

[gychang]

how is this different than the regular 3 legged-2 color LED?

thanks,

gychang

[head_spaz]

Hope this helps.

[gychang]

Originally posted by head_spaz


Hope this helps.

should know schematics but newbie here. what does it mean in practical terms?

gychang

[AndrewT]

Hi,
the parallel combination conducts in both directions.
It shines a different colour when positive or negative. eg on the output of a 555 timer if the LED is returned to a mid supply voltage and the timer output is high, the LED is one colour and when output goes low the LED changes colour.

The serial pair with centre tap operates by taking the centre tap to a common voltage. Drive either LED (to the same +ve polarity) to see a choice of colour or drive both and get a colour mix.

[gychang]

Andrew, thanks for your explanation.

gychang