Beginner here.... I have a simple question, yet, may sound like a dumb question so please bare with me…
When using an output pin to SINK, does it matter what voltage is applied to the other end of the device? Like, can it be higher? In my case, the device is a simple LED.
The reason I ask this is because another section of my circuit is a 555 astable (clock) running off 12-volts, and the clock output is connected to the anode of the LED with a 560-ohm resistor connected in series, and then the cathode of the LED is connected to the Picaxe output pin. So the result would be the LED would only flash when the Picaxe output pin is low (assuming the clock is operating).
N.B. Both 5 and 12 volt supplies share common ground and the Picaxe is connected to the 5 volts, of course.
So would this be allowed in this scenario, or must I use a transistor to do this because of the voltage difference?
Thanks.
When using an output pin to SINK, does it matter what voltage is applied to the other end of the device? Like, can it be higher? In my case, the device is a simple LED.
The reason I ask this is because another section of my circuit is a 555 astable (clock) running off 12-volts, and the clock output is connected to the anode of the LED with a 560-ohm resistor connected in series, and then the cathode of the LED is connected to the Picaxe output pin. So the result would be the LED would only flash when the Picaxe output pin is low (assuming the clock is operating).
N.B. Both 5 and 12 volt supplies share common ground and the Picaxe is connected to the 5 volts, of course.
So would this be allowed in this scenario, or must I use a transistor to do this because of the voltage difference?
Thanks.