Small LED Indicators
SMD LEDs (Surface Mount Device) LEDs are some of the most miniature LEDs available. They are available in several standardized sizes.
- Model: 0603 (1608 Metric) measures 1.6mm (L) x 0.8mm (W)
- Model: 0805 (2012 Metric) measures 2mm (L) x 1.25mm (W)
- Model: 1206 (3216 Metric) measures 3.2mm (L) x 1.6mm (W)
These 1206 SMD LEDs can be used in many electronics projects, including hobbyists and model builders. They are commonly used in scale-models for everything from street and house lighting to tail and indicator lights on cars and scale model trains to model boats, planes, cars, spaceships, or anything you may want to add a tiny indicator light.
Other advantages of the SMD LEDs compared to incandescent bulbs, which run hotter and burn out quickly. LEDs are also available in a wide variety of colors.
The 1206 SMD LED is very small and will require tweezers to attached connection leads to them. We also carry pre-wired SMD LEDs to save you the trouble of connecting wires to the LED.
Power Requirements
Power to the LEDs can be over a wide range, but limit the current to the devices to no more than 0.02A (20mA). More current through the LED will result in a slightly higher-intensity brightness. Our Dropping Resistor Chart below shows the different LED models and power supply voltage options and the necessary dropping resistor to achieve maximum intensity. The LEDs will function well from currents from 2mA to 20mA.
SMD 1206 LED Power and Recommended Resistor Requirements
| 3v | 4.5v | 5v | 6v | 9v | 12v | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White LED LED‑1206‑WHT‑01 |
10 ohm ¼ or ½ watt |
100 ohm ¼ or ½ watt |
120 ohm ¼ or ½ watt |
180 ohm ¼ or ½ watt |
330 ohm ½ watt |
470 ohm ½ watt |
| Red LED LED-1206-RED-01 |
75 ohm ¼ or ½ watt |
150 ohm ¼ or ½ watt |
180 ohm ¼ or ½ watt |
220 ohm ¼ or ½ watt |
390 ohm ½ watt |
560 ohm ½ watt |
| Green LED LED-1206-GRN-01 |
10 ohm ¼ or ½ watt |
100 ohm ¼ or ½ watt |
120 ohm ¼ or ½ watt |
180 ohm ¼ or ½ watt |
330 ohm ½ watt |
470 ohm ½ watt |
| Blue LED LED-1206-BLU-01 |
10 ohm ¼ or ½ watt |
100 ohm ¼ or ½ watt |
120 ohm ¼ or ½ watt |
180 ohm ¼ or ½ watt |
330 ohm ½ watt |
470 ohm ½ watt |
| Yellow LED LED-1206-YEL-01 |
75 ohm ¼ or ½ watt |
150 ohm ¼ or ½ watt |
180 ohm ¼ or ½ watt |
220 ohm ¼ or ½ watt |
390 ohm ½ watt |
560 ohm ½ watt |
| Orange LED LED-1206-ORG-01 |
75 ohm ¼ or ½ watt |
150 ohm ¼ or ½ watt |
180 ohm ¼ or ½ watt |
220 ohm ¼ or ½ watt |
390 ohm ½ watt |
560 ohm ½ watt |
To use your LED over a wide voltage range (anywhere from 3V to 15V DC), we recommend using an inexpensive 820 ohm 1/4 watt series resistor.
Hooking Up The LED with Dropping Resistor
All LEDs require current limiting, without a current limiting mechanism, LEDs will usually burn out in under a second. Adding a simple resistor is one of the easiest ways to limit the current.
Our Online LED Calculator is an excellent way to calculator necessary dropping resistor values. The calculator allows for automatic calculation of the necessary current limiting resistor and power rating for operating your LED. We have precalculated common resistor values above for the LEDs, but you can use the calculator for custom voltage or current settings.
SMD 1206 LED Specifications
LED-1206-WHT-01 – White
Color Frequency: 6000K (Cool White)
Luminous Intensity: 350mcd
Viewing Angle: 120°
Forward Voltage: 2.8v – 3.0v
Typical Forward Current: 20mA
LED-1206-RED-01 – Red
Color Frequency: 625nm (Red)
Luminous Intensity: 180mcd
Viewing Angle: 120°
Forward Voltage: 1.9v – 2.1v
Typical Forward Current: 20mA
LED-1206-GRN-01 – Green
Color Frequency: 520nm (Green)
Luminous Intensity: 310mcd
Viewing Angle: 120°
Forward Voltage: 3.0v – 3.2v
Typical Forward Current: 20mA
LED-1206-BLU-01 – Blue
Color Frequency: 465nm (Blue)
Luminous Intensity: 195mcd
Viewing Angle: 120°
Forward Voltage: 2.8v – 3.0v
Typical Forward Current: 20mA
LED-1206-YEL-01 – Yellow
Color Frequency: 590nm (Yellow)
Luminous Intensity: 185mcd
Viewing Angle: 120°
Forward Voltage: 1.8v – 2.0v
Typical Forward Current: 20mA
LED-1206-ORG-01 – Orange
Color Frequency: 605nm (Orange)
Luminous Intensity: 165mcd
Viewing Angle: 120°
Forward Voltage: 1.6v – 2.6v
Typical Forward Current: 20mA