Switch implies a selection of one thing versus another. While it may be technically accurate to refer to a diode as a switch, I think it will prove to be confusing to the average modeller who does not have an electronics background. I think it may be better to refer to a diode as a one way valve for electric current, and leave it at that.Gary S. said:One thing that we always seem to forget is that a diode is essentially a switch, not a load. This is true regardless of whether it is a standard diode, or a light emitting diode.
Ralph said:OK, here's a hopefully related question, that maybe got answered in some form already but I'm an electrical idiot: If I wanted to wire a two color LED (red and green) to the track for power so that the LED could be a signal indicating track polarity (hence direction) would I need a reistor on both legs of the LED?
Ralph
Ralph said:Ah! DC. Not on a frog, just a single track that will help me remember to be sure to set the direction on my power pack the right way to get a train out of a hidden staging track. Thanks for the advice!
Ralph
steamhead said:While we are asking questions...That set-up I had with the 12V, lamps for my reversing loop (on DC), will it work with DCC-since DCC doesn't have a "polarity" as such..??
Torpedo said:Switch implies a selection of one thing versus another.
I think it may be better to refer to a diode as a one way valve for electric current, and leave it at that.
Absolutely. I agree fully with that part, but I still don't like referring to a diode as a switch in a simple DC power model railroading context. It adds needless complexity to the discussion.Gary S. said:My point was that a diode does not limit the current like a load does... That is why we always need a resistor to act as the load for the circuit when using an LED.