LED light touched positive lead without resistor, but still works. Is it okay to keep this light?

Question

I'm building a model with LED lights and had to go back into the model to fix an error. When doing so, I snapped off a lead at the resistor on a light by accident. I thought I was testing the broken end on the right lead on my light bank, but was touching another lights positive lead by accident with the power on. The LED lit up kind of bluish white, and I thought I had burned it out. But, I found the resistor it should have been soldered to, and the LED still works. I've soldered it back to its resistor, and everything appears fine.

Did I damage the LED regardless, reducing its life, or is it that if I didn't burn it out, it's fine? This LED will not be easy to switch out at this point, so if it's okay, I'd prefer to leave it installed.

Thank you!

Answer 1

LED can stand a few shocks without the limiting resistor in place if the power source was not in very high voltage. Prolong to light up LED without current limiter could shorten its life (show weaker brightness). Keep it as it is for now. Change it while it becomes dimmer than other LED.

Answer 2

LED's are rated for a maximum operating current. After you exceed the voltage required for threshold, the current increases drastically when applied voltage is increased. The series resistor is required to reduce this drastic effect. The damage to the LED depends on the heat generated at high current as well as for how long. So to avoid damage, do retain the LED series resistor. You may change the LED to a high bright LED if you wish. These high bright LEDs provide more brightness with lesser current.

http://www.dowcorning.com/content/etronics/etronicsled/etronics_led_tutorial1.asp?DCWS=Electronics&DCWSS

Answer 3

I've burned an LED or two, and they usually get dimmer under normal operating voltages. If it is still bright, I'd take that as a good sign. As for changing the life expectancy, I wouldn't know. If you're really worried about it, changing out an LED shouldn't be too much trouble. If you didn't exceed the LED's operating voltage, I wouldn't worry about it.