direct drive LED - which end is which

[Doug Lasiter]

Noobie question here. I've ordered some single-ended direct drive LEDs. Pretty clear how to wire them up EXCEPT it isn't clear how I know which end is which. Can either end be connected to power? If not, is the "active" end well marked?

 

[telectrix]

are thes basic LEDs like this? if so, the flat side indicates the cathode (-).

 

[loz2754]

If you're referring to led tubes, there are 2 types. On one type, one end is just a dummy to hold the tube in place in the fitting, the other end will have live to one of the pins and neutral to the other pin, which is marked on the tube. This is probably the type you have ordered.
On the other type, live goes to one end, neutral to the other end. The 2 pins are internally connected to one another at each end of the tube.

 

[Doug Lasiter]

Thanks, loz2754, that's the answer I was looking for. Yes, these are T8 LED lighting tubes. I'll look for the marks on the tube. I presume that if you hook power up to the wrong end, nothing bad will happen.

 

[loz2754]

Thanks, loz2754, that's the answer I was looking for. Yes, these are T8 LED lighting tubes. I'll look for the marks on the tube. I presume that if you hook power up to the wrong end, nothing bad will happen.

Correct

 

[Doug Lasiter]

So I got the bulb, and there is a label stuck on it that sorta suggests, in fine print, which end is the right end. This is a single-ended bulb. But the bulb itself has no markings on it. There is a prominent red ring around the active end but, duh, the same ring is around the other end! I have it working fine. Thanks again.