Typical max reverse voltage for common LEDs?

Other Hardware LEDs and Multiplexing
1

How much reverse bias can LEDs generally take? Can I use them to indicate 120VAC, with the appropriate current-limiting resistor?

Sorry for not specifying an actual part number, but I have hundreds of random LEDs. I don't have datasheets for all of them. I've looked up some LED datasheets and it's remarkable that they often don't have maximum reverse bias listed. Does that mean it's infinite?

2

No, 5V usually.

If you had 120VAC- 100K voltage divider---4.7K voltage divider-gnd
|
5.3V - 150 resistor-LED-gnd,

you might be okay.

3

For 120 vac service, just wire a 1N4006 diode across the led in reverse bias. I will conduct in negative voltage cycle but will be current limited by the same resistor. Or just wire another LED in reverse bias direction from the other LED.

Lefty

4

The dual-diode suggestion is brilliant. I can always do that, but I would still like to know how much reverse bias LEDs can take, though. I guess it's not a parameter that is that popular; none of the datasheets on sparkfun have it.

5

but I would still like to know how much reverse bias LEDs can take, though. I guess it's not a parameter that is that popular;

From memory of datasheets on common LEDs years ago, 5vdc was a common maximum reverse voltage rating.

Lefty