Introducing the LED
A Light-Emitting Diode (LED) will only let current through in one direction. Think of an LED as a one-
way street. When current flows through the LED, it lights up!
When you are looking at the LED, you will notice that its legs are different lengths. The long leg, the
“anode,” is where current enters the LED. This pin should always be connected to the current
source. The shorter leg, the “cathode,” is the current’s exit. The short leg should always be
connected to a pathway to ground.
LEDs are finicky when it comes to how much current you apply to them. Too much current can lead
to a burnt-out LED. To restrict the amount of current that passes through the LED, we use a resistor
in line with the power source and the LED’s long leg; this is called a current-limiting resistor. With the
micro:bit, you should use a 100Ω resistor. We have included a baggy of them in the kit just for this
reason!
Hardware Hookup
Ready to start hooking everything up? Check out the wiring diagram and hookup table below to see
how everything is connected.
Polarized
Components
Payspecialattentiontothecomponent’smarkingsindicatinghowtoplaceiton
thebreadboard.Polarizedcomponentscanonlybeconnectedtoacircuitinone
direction.
Please note: Pay close attention to the LED. The negative side of the LED is the short leg,
marked with a flat edge.
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