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1206 versus 0603 surfaced mounted leds

1206 versus 0603 surfaced mounted leds

By maddy
-  Sat Nov 08, 2014 6:56 am #176703
I am an elementary teacher new to electronics and wanted to do a paper circuit project with my students with surface mounted leds. Can someone explain the difference between a 1206 versus a 0603 led other than size? Can I use a 1206 with a 3v coin battery without a resistor? Is a 1206 brighter?
Thanks.

Re: 1206 versus 0603 surfaced mounted leds

By lyndon
-  Sun Nov 09, 2014 2:27 pm #176733
1206 and 0603 only refer to size. There is no other inherently different characteristic. Maybe a 1206 can dissipate more power than an 0603 because of its size, but I wouldn't take that as a guarantee.

Strictly speaking, you should always use a resistor, but if cost/simplicity is an issue you can often get away with it when using coin cells because they can't source much current. Answer is: it may work, but don't be surprised if it doesn't.
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