Quick LED wiring question so that I can continue the build

[sleepyhead]

Hey guys. It's time to connect my front panel LED's. The connections from the case are all different colored wires. I have red/white, blue/white, purple/white and I think black/white. Are the white wires always 'negative' and the colored wires, irregardless of color, always postive?

If I can get some input I'll be able to resume my build. Thanks so much for any help you can offer!

 

[polarity]

Take a look at the LEDs. On the inside of the plastic case one of the leads is bigger, that's the negative lead.

Normally the white/black wires are negative, but I've come across a few where they were wired up backwards. The just need switching round till they work. I've not blown any by plugging them in backwards over the last 18 years.

 

[aziraphale]

All you have to do is read your mobo manual...

As if this was written down in your manual...

Just try it. It won't light up if you do it the wrong way around. Don't worry; you can't break anything.

 

[sleepyhead]

Thanks! I ended up trying the white wires as the negatives and my assumption was correct. Everything works perfecty. And to MrsBytch...After lurking and posting here for a while now I've finally earned one of your valuable responses. I am so honored!!!

 

[coret]

White is generally used as negative and can be identified by remembering that negative used to be referred to as "common".

 

[tlmck]

Also, if you look at one side of the connector there will be a little etched triangle next to one of the pins. This is the negative lead.

 

[drysocks]

Well... Negative is not necessarily Common. DC circuits can have Common as Black too. Negative is the Cathode side.

 

[drysocks]

Also, if you look at one side of the connector there will be a little etched triangle next to one of the pins. This is the negative lead.

Yes it can. Or it could just mean -pin 1- of the connector.