Dialectical Data
~/workshop $ cat ./inventory/assorted-5mm-led-jar/README.md

Assorted 5mm LED Jar

category
Bench stock
qty
1 jar, mixed colors (not individually counted)
status
owned / untested
maker
N/A — generic assortment, no single brand
Assorted 5mm LED Jar

Overview

A jar of assorted standard 5mm through-hole LEDs in at least four colors (red, yellow, blue, green), diffused/colored-lens style. Standard indicator LEDs for status lights, simple project feedback, or breadboard prototyping — not addressable/smart LEDs (no data line, just two leads per LED).

Key specs

  • Package: 5mm through-hole, round dome
  • Colors observed: red, yellow, blue, green
  • Forward voltage: varies by color — red/yellow typically ~1.8-2.2V, blue/green typically ~2.8-3.4V (standard LED chemistry ranges, not measured for these specific units)
  • Forward current: typically 20mA max for standard 5mm LEDs (design around ~10-15mA with a series resistor for safety margin, not confirmed for these specific units)

Pinout

Lead Function
Long lead (anode) +
Short lead (cathode, flat side on package rim) −

Wiring / typical usage

Always use a series current-limiting resistor — never wire an LED directly across a supply rail. Resistor value depends on supply voltage and the specific LED’s forward voltage (different per color, see Key specs) — e.g. for a 5V supply and a red LED (~2V forward voltage, 15mA target): R = (5V - 2V) / 0.015A ≈ 200Ω.

Code / libraries

N/A — passive indicator, driven by a GPIO (through a resistor) or directly from a power rail (through a resistor), not addressable.

Source material

  • Colors and package style identified visually from the supplied photo.
  • Standard 5mm LED forward voltage/current ranges: widely documented, standard LED chemistry knowledge (not sourced from a specific datasheet for these unbranded units).
  • Product photo: /inventory/assorted-5mm-led-jar/product-photo.jpg — the actual jar and its contents.

Verification

Colors and package style confirmed visually from the photo — high confidence. Forward voltage/current figures are typical-for-class ranges only, not measured or confirmed for these specific unbranded LEDs — use a resistor sized conservatively (or measure with a multimeter/LED tester) rather than assuming exact figures.

Notes / gotchas

  • Don’t assume all colors in the jar share the same forward voltage — blue and green LEDs need a meaningfully different resistor value than red/yellow at the same supply voltage.
  • No quantity count taken — treat as “some LEDs of each color,” not a precise inventory.