
Looking for a fun and super simple electronics project? This single-transistor LED flasher might just be the simplest LED blink circuit in the world! It only requires a handful of components and is perfect for beginners or hobbyists looking to ...

🔧 Simplest One-Transistor LED Flasher Circuit – DIY LED Blinker Explained
⚙️ How the Circuit Works
This LED flasher uses one NPN transistor, a capacitor, and two resistors to blink a high-brightness white LED at a steady rate. The magic lies in the way the capacitor charges and discharges through the resistors, triggering the transist...
🧠 Key Components
-
Transistor (NPN type) – Acts like an electronic switch.
-
100µF Electrolytic Capacitor – Stores and releases charge.
-
1kΩ Resistor – Controls charging speed.
-
10kΩ Discharge Resistor (optional) – Controls brightness.
-
High-Brightness White LED (3mm) – The blinking light.
💡 Note: Ordinary red LEDs may not work properly in this setup. Use only flashing LEDs or high-brightness white LEDs for best effect.
🔁 Flash Rate Control
The flash rate is determined by the capacitor and resistors. You can adjust the blink speed or brightness:
-
Replace the 1kΩ resistor with 4.7kΩ or 10kΩ to slow down the blink rate and dim the LED.
-
Use no discharge resistor for full brightness flashes.
-
Add a 10kΩ discharge resistor if you want smoother, dimmer blinking.