Adafruit
Adafruit DS3502 I2C Digital 10K Potentiometer Breakout - STEMMA QT
The Adafruit DS3502 is an I2C-controlled digital potentiometer that lets your microcontroller adjust resistance programmatically — no manual knob-turning req...
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The Adafruit DS3502 is an I2C-controlled digital potentiometer that lets your microcontroller adjust resistance programmatically — no manual knob-turning required. Simply send a command over I2C from an Arduino, CircuitPython board, or any Python-powered computer to set the wiper position.
The DS3502 provides a 7-bit wiper with 128 discrete resistance levels from 0 to 10 kΩ. You can store a default wiper value that loads automatically on power-up, and configure up to four DS3502 units on the same I2C bus using address jumpers. The analogue voltage on the potentiometer pins can range from 4.5 V to 15.5 V.
Key Features
- 128-Step Resolution – 7-bit wiper with 0–10 kΩ range for fine-grained resistance control
- I2C Interface – Simple digital control from any I2C-capable microcontroller or computer
- Non-Volatile Default – Store a power-up wiper position that persists without power
- 4-Address Support – Configurable I2C address for up to four units on one bus
- Wide Voltage Range – Analogue voltage input from 4.5 V to 15.5 V
- STEMMA QT / Qwiic – Dual I2C connectors for solderless daisy-chaining
- 3.3V and 5V Compatible – Works with a wide range of development boards
Ideal For
- Automated gain or volume control
- Sensor calibration and trimming
- Programmable voltage dividers
- Replacing mechanical potentiometers in digitally controlled systems
Package Contents
- 1× Adafruit DS3502 I2C Digital 10K Potentiometer Breakout – STEMMA QT
Jargon buster
Plain-language definitions for the technical terms used above.
- Address jumpers
- Address jumpers are small solder pads, links or switches used to change a device's address on a shared bus such as I2C. They matter when you want to connect several identical devices to the same controller, since each one needs a unique address to avoid conflicts.
- breakout
- A breakout board carries a small or fine-pitched component and brings its connections out to standard, breadboard- and header-friendly pins. Describing a part as a breakout means it can be wired into a project without soldering directly to the component's tiny contacts.
- CircuitPython
- A beginner-friendly version of Python designed to run directly on microcontroller boards. If a product supports CircuitPython, you can often program it by copying code files onto the board rather than setting up a more complex toolchain.
- I2C
- I2C is a two-wire communication bus used by many sensors and small modules. It matters because several I2C devices can share the same two wires, but each device needs a compatible address and your controller must support I2C.
- I2C address
- An I2C address is the number a device uses so a microcontroller can tell it apart from other devices on the same I2C bus. It matters because two devices with the same fixed address may conflict if used together.
- microcontroller
- A microcontroller is a small computer on a single chip that runs a stored program and controls connected inputs and outputs such as buttons, sensors, displays and communication interfaces. In a device built around one, it is the part that executes the code and coordinates the device's behaviour.
- potentiometer
- A variable resistor usually turned with a knob or shaft to create an adjustable electrical signal. It is often used for inputs such as volume, brightness or position, so it helps beginners learn how a microcontroller reads changing values.
- Qwiic
- Qwiic is a plug-in connector system for I2C devices that uses small 4-pin cables, so you can connect compatible sensors without soldering. It matters because your controller or adapter also needs Qwiic, or you will need a cable or breakout to wire it up.
- STEMMA
- A plug-and-cable connection system used on some maker electronics boards to make wiring simpler. If a product uses STEMMA, you need the matching cable or connector type to plug it in without soldering.
- STEMMA QT
- A small plug-in connector system for I2C boards that lets you connect compatible sensors and controllers without soldering. It matters because it can make wiring faster and less error-prone, especially when adding several small modules to a project.
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