[SOLVED] Does light emitting diode protect from power surges?

Hi

Newbie question.

I know thats its a trivial question but does popular light emitting diodes protect against power surges?
Does it make any sense to use them in the circuits for very primitive solution against connecting power supply in wrong way? (silly things like connecting plus instead of minus).

Thank you

To protect against reverse polarity of signal or power supply, a normal diode connected in series with the circuit it simply prevents reversed current and protect the circuit. (A diode has high current capabilities at lower cost and lower voltage drop).
Most LEDs have low reverse breakdown voltage ratings, so they will also be damaged by an applied reverse voltage above this threshold…

So using them as protection is valid choice or there are any better(cheaper) elements to do the same?

As I have explained earlier you may use a simple 1N4005 diode instead the LEDs.
Let’s compare LEDs vs. diodes
a) Reverse voltage is the maximum "wrong way" voltage that can tolerate. Anything over that and you start getting "wrong way" current.
LEDs > U reverse = 5V - 7V
Diode (1N4005, general purpose diode) >> U reverse = 600V
1N4005 better protection than simple LEDs

b) I forward = the maximum amount of current flowing through the element.
LEDs > I forward = 20-50 mA
Diode (1N4005, general purpose diode) > I forward = 1000 mA
1N4005 higher current than simple LEDs

c) U forward = the maximum voltage you want to sustain across it

LEDs > U forward = 1.7V(standard RED) up to 4V(blue LED)
Diode (1N4005, general purpose diode) > U forward = 0.7V up to 1V (@ 1 A)
1N4005 lower voltage drop than simple LEDs

Also if we compare prices:
1N4005 at 0.001$/piece (for 1000pcs)
LEDs at 0.01-0.05$/piece (for 1000pcs)
1N4005 winner…