Lab 1

Calculations

LEDs In Series

By using LEDs in series all the LEDs share the power source evenly and only need one resistor, this means the LEDs have a lower power than they might have by themselves. The advantage to LEDs in series is that it uses less energy for each LED so they will last longer but the disadvantage is that if one LED burns out none of the LEDs will work until that one is replaced.  

LEDs In Parallel

By using LEDs in parallel the LEDs all get the full amount of power from the power source and each light gets its own resistor. LEDs in parallel will use more energy therefore burnout more quickly but it does have an advantage because if one LED burns out the other ones will still work.   

DIY Switch/Enclosure

For my DIY switch I made a copper pinch switch you use by pinching together the copper tape pieces to complete the circuit. I made this by making a break in the PWR line and then putting pieces of copper tape on each end. When you put the two pieces of copper tape together power is able to travel through since copper is a conductor.