Hi members,
One of my hobbies is taking apart faulty digital cameras to try to understand the problems, or even fix them. I have successfully repaired a number of mechanical issues but recently I came across an electronic issue that I hope to learn something about.
A typical camera's LCD screen is illuminated by white LEDs. This particular Sony model I am looking at uses two surface mount "side view" LEDs to illuminate the edge of a clear plastic "glass", which is engraved with dots to reflect the light evenly out onto the "glass" surface. This particular LED circuitry is extremely simple: two LEDs in series. Somehow, it failed to light up.
I took the panel apart and was able confirm that all the traces and contacts were continuous. When I tested each LED separately, to my surprise, they DID light up, although with different brightness. They just didn't turn on when a voltage is applied across both.
I plan to replace the entire panel so I'm not going to make any repairs, all I wanted to know is, why would LEDs light up individually but not together? Is the dimmer (bad) LED affecting the circuit in a way that the good LED cannot light up, thus keeping the circuit open? Is there a technical explanation?
Thanks and have a good day!
Kevin
One of my hobbies is taking apart faulty digital cameras to try to understand the problems, or even fix them. I have successfully repaired a number of mechanical issues but recently I came across an electronic issue that I hope to learn something about.
A typical camera's LCD screen is illuminated by white LEDs. This particular Sony model I am looking at uses two surface mount "side view" LEDs to illuminate the edge of a clear plastic "glass", which is engraved with dots to reflect the light evenly out onto the "glass" surface. This particular LED circuitry is extremely simple: two LEDs in series. Somehow, it failed to light up.
I took the panel apart and was able confirm that all the traces and contacts were continuous. When I tested each LED separately, to my surprise, they DID light up, although with different brightness. They just didn't turn on when a voltage is applied across both.
I plan to replace the entire panel so I'm not going to make any repairs, all I wanted to know is, why would LEDs light up individually but not together? Is the dimmer (bad) LED affecting the circuit in a way that the good LED cannot light up, thus keeping the circuit open? Is there a technical explanation?
Thanks and have a good day!
Kevin
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