Can Two 15 Ohm 1/2 Watt Resistors Be Used for a 1.8 Watt Requirement?

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SUMMARY

To achieve a 1.8-watt requirement using 15-ohm resistors, two 15-ohm 1/2 watt resistors are insufficient due to power limitations and incorrect resistance. Instead, four 15-ohm 1/2 watt resistors can be utilized by connecting two pairs in series and then placing those pairs in parallel. This configuration results in a total resistance of 15 ohms and a power rating of 2 watts, meeting the necessary specifications for the luxeon LED lighting system.

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Russell233
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hello, I am new here.. so please excuse my..um. n00bishness
im sorry if this under the wrong area, i doint know which area of physics it might be under, i just remember reading about resistors back in HS physics...which was years ago..

I'm currently building a shed lighting system through the use of luxeon leds.

after some series led resistor calculations, I need a 15 ohm, 1.8 watt capable resistor. as far as I know there are none manufactured under the specs. I was wondering, is there a way to pair two 15 ohm 1/2 watt resistors to achieve this requirement?for reference:
Led: RX1W luxeon lambertian die x 4
vf: 3.4 [typ] @ 350 ma.
Vin: 12V @ variable current

Thanks in advance
 
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Russell233 said:
hello, I am new here.. so please excuse my..um. n00bishness
im sorry if this under the wrong area, i doint know which area of physics it might be under, i just remember reading about resistors back in HS physics...which was years ago..

I'm currently building a shed lighting system through the use of luxeon leds.

after some series led resistor calculations, I need a 15 ohm, 1.8 watt capable resistor. as far as I know there are none manufactured under the specs. I was wondering, is there a way to pair two 15 ohm 1/2 watt resistors to achieve this requirement?

two won't do it (not enough power and wrong resistance) but four will do it. two in series and the two series pairs in parallel. (or the other way around.) you'll get 15 ohms and 2 watts.
 
Thanks, since the resistors normally come packaged in 6 packs.

:biggrin:
 

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