Old 07-30-08 | 08:34 AM
  #11  
trekker pete
pedalphile
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,034
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From: ellington, ct

Bikes: trek 1200, 520, Giant ATX 970, Raleigh Talon

got a question about something I have heard here multiple times concerning LED/halogen bulbs.

I keep hearing that voltage determines brightness in a halogen and current in an LED.

Way back when, in basic electricity and electronics school in the navy, I was taught Ohm's law. Ohm's law states in a DC circuit, current is a function of voltage and resistance. I=E/R I being current, E, voltage and R resistance.

A halogen lamp has a constant resistance, as far as I know. Therefore, as the voltage increases, so will the current. So, you could say it is a voltage controlled device, but, it is the increase in current that actually causes the increased brightness.

I'm a bit more fuzzy on LEDs. Do they vary their resistance as the voltage changes? Just curious. Thanks.
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