How to wire LEDs through magnets?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the design and wiring of a modular LED lamp made from hexagonal plywood pieces that connect through magnets. Participants explore the feasibility of the concept, electrical safety, and circuit design, including the use of current limiting resistors and potential components like magnetic reed switches.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • The original poster (OP) seeks advice on wiring a modular lamp with LEDs that turn on when connected via magnets, expressing uncertainty about electrical wiring.
  • One participant emphasizes the importance of understanding basic electronics and suggests consulting someone experienced to ensure safety.
  • The OP mentions having some background in physics and basic circuits but feels lost regarding the specific circuit design for the lamp.
  • Another participant proposes using a magnetic reed switch as a potential solution for the circuit design.
  • One participant claims that neodymium magnets can conduct electricity due to their metal coating and suggests experimenting with a 9V battery for safety.
  • The OP inquires about the feasibility of wiring multiple LEDs in a specific configuration and whether the same resistors can be used across modules.
  • Concerns are raised about the safety of using magnets as contact points, particularly regarding the risk of electrocution.
  • The OP clarifies the design, stating that each hexagonal piece will have pockets for wires and LEDs, with the intention of adding more modules to increase brightness.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of understanding and experience with electronics, leading to differing opinions on safety and circuit design. No consensus is reached on the best approach to wiring the lamp or the safety implications of using magnets as electrical contacts.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes assumptions about the electrical properties of neodymium magnets and the design of the lamp, which may not be fully explored or validated. The OP's understanding of circuit design is limited, and the feasibility of the proposed ideas remains uncertain.

move2thecity
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Hi guys.

I'm an architecture student who is designing a lamp that will be made up of multiple, modular pieces of plywood. Each piece will be a hexagon containing 6 LED lights (one on each side). The idea is to have a base that plugs into a socket with a wall wart: I was thinking 12 volts AC. And the plywood pieces attach to the base and to each other with magnets. This enables the user to assemble and configure the light to his wants and needs.

But I have never wired anything before... (Slight problem when designing a lamp haha.)

Would there be a way to wire this thing so that when you connect a plywood piece to the plugged in base piece through magnets, the LED lights turn on? If so what would that circuit look like?
I feel like their should be a way if there's a contact at each connecting point (magnet).

I have no clue about electrical wiring or where to begin. So any help will greatly be appreciated.




I found this lamp which is similar to what I am trying to do if this helps visualize my question at all:
http://brunofosi.com/product-design/branch-light-a-modular-led-light-system/

Here is another similar example:
http://www.plioz.com/crystal-light-by-qis-design/

And another: http://www.hyperexperience.com/?p=1026

I was told the LED module will need a current limiting resistor in it. Do I put one resistor in the first module that plugs into the current and that's it for the whole system? Or do I need a resistor in each module?

Thanks for any help you can provide...
 
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How much do you know about basic electronics? Have you ever taken a course on it?
If not, and you lack practical experience in designing and building circuits, I HIGHLY recommend you find someone with experience to help you. A forum is simply not a good source for the kind of help you need. The last thing anyone wants is for you to electrocute yourself or start a fire because you don't understand the basics of electrical safety.

That being said, I don't want to discourage you from using PF, I just want to make sure that any information you get from the forum is used safely.
 
I've taken a bunch of extra physics classes in high school and a couple in college. I've done circuits before in those classes. But simple stuff: light bulbs in parallel or in series with a battery and a resistor. But I am a little bit lost when it comes to figuring out a circuit for my lamp idea. Once I do have a more clear direction, I am going to talk to one of the professors here to get it checked out before I start soldering wires together. But I need a basis before I go and talk to him. Which is why I though posting on this forum could get me started in the right direction. Starting with, is this at all something I could feasibly build?
 
I was thinking that maybe a magnetic reed switch might do the trick?
 
Neodymium magnets are coated with a thin layer of metal so they conduct electricity. When two magnets are stuck together a current can flow between them.
To keep things safe I suggest you do your experiments with a 9V battery.
 
Could I do something like this:
12V +----|>|----|>|----|>|---/\/\/----+ R = 22 ohms
12V +----|>|----|>|----|>|---/\/\/----+ R = 22 ohms
where you have 2x3 array of LEDs per module? (for tests I would use the 9V battery and adjust R accordingly).

Once I start putting multiple of these together, can the resistors all be the same in each module?
And if I use the neodymium magnets as contact points, is there a risk of electrocution if someone touches them? Or is it fairly safe as long as they don't lick their fingers first? I don't want to kill anyone.


Thanks for the help :) I appreciate it
 
A hexagon is a six sided planar shape.

So you envisign a flat pieces of plywood each cut into a hexagon shape, each of which would be a module, and your lamp will be made up of several of these flat hexagon shaped modules stuck together by magnets.
Is that your idea?
 
I'm going to use the CNC to mill these hexagonal pieces. They will have pockets in them to conceal the wires. On each of the outer sides there will be a magnet, on each of the inner sides (because the middle is cut out) there will be an LED light. My idea is that you plug the first one in and it lights up. Then you can add as many as you like in the configuration you like. And when you add a module, it lights up and the first one stays light up also. So the more you add the more light you get basically.
 
they will have some thickness to them
 

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