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...
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 or links used to change a device’s bus address. They matter when you want to connect multiple identical displays to the same controller without their addresses conflicting.
- breakout
- A breakout is a small circuit board that makes a tiny or hard-to-solder component easier to connect to with standard pins. It matters because this OLED module can be wired into a microcontroller project without needing to solder directly to the display’s fine 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 chip that runs your program and controls connected inputs and outputs. For this product, it is the part that reads buttons and sensors, drives the display and speaker, and communicates over Bluetooth.
- 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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