Quote:
Originally Posted by pilleya
This is a common misunderstanding, the led will only draw the amount of current that it requires for operation at the specific supply voltage. This is the same for any motor. Just because it is on circuit capable of 100amps does not mean that it will draw 100amps, it will draw exactly what it needs whether 0.1amp, 1 amp, 100amps or even 1000amps.
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Allister,
Your description is close. If you modify the circuitry, you can force more current through an LED up to and including the point at which the LED fails. As you pass the specified operating current, the LED may not get any brighter but the additional current is given off as heat in the device. Due to the very tiny wires used to wire the LED die to the outside world, failure often results in burning that wire open. However, that is not the guaranteed failure as a meltdown of the die may result in a short.