Bargraph LED displays

A bargraph LED is a collection of LEDs arranged side-by-side in a single device. It's a compact way to display several bits at once.

Here are two similar bargraph LEDs:

Here's what it looks like inside:

Each LED is connected to the obvious pins underneath. Remember that you will need to put a resistor in series with each LED to limit current. Remember also that the current will only light the LED in one direction. For many applications a resistor array might be a good choice for this.

As with any LEDs, each one needs to be used with a resistor to limit current. This can be done by putting an individual resistor in series with each one. However, since they're all in a row, it's much easier to use a resistor array instead.

If the common pin of the resistor array is grounded, then a high on the other side of any LED should light it up, provided the LED is the right way around. If you're not sure which way the display should go, just turn it around if it doesn't work one way.





If you want a LOW (0) signal to light up the LED, simply reverse the common connection and turn the bargraph display around. (You need to turn the bargraph around since current will need to flow in the opposite direction.)



The actual resistor value isn't critical; anything between about 100 Ω and 1 k Ω should work. With smaller values, the LED will be brighter; with larger values, it will be dimmer. Ideally you want to choose a large value that makes the LED bright enough to see clearly.

The image below shows how the connections are the same as for an individual LED. (The signals come in on the yellow wires.)



As wtih individual LEDs, they can be connected either active high or active low. In the image below, the LED and bargraph on the right are connected for active high signals, on the yellow wires, while the LED and bargraph on the left are connected for active low signals, on the orange wires.