Adafruit
APA102 5050 RGB LED w/ Integrated Driver Chip - 10 Pack [APA102C]
These APA102C (DotStar) RGB LEDs feature an integrated driver chip inside each 5050 SMD package, giving you individually addressable 24-bit colour control (8...
These APA102C (DotStar) RGB LEDs feature an integrated driver chip inside each 5050 SMD package, giving you individually addressable 24-bit colour control (8 bits each for red, green, and blue). The same smart LED used in DotStar LED strips, now available as individual components for custom designs.
DotStars use generic 2-wire SPI, allowing much faster data rates than the NeoPixel 800KHz protocol with no specific timing requirements. Their 20KHz PWM refresh rate eliminates the visible flicker you get with NeoPixels at low brightness levels, making them excellent for Persistence-of-Vision (POV) displays and smooth colour blending.
Key Features
- Integrated APA102C Driver – Each LED has a built-in controller chip for individual addressability
- 24-Bit Colour – Full RGB control with 8 bits per channel
- 2-Wire SPI Interface – Faster data transfer than NeoPixels, no strict timing needed
- 20KHz PWM – Flicker-free dimming, ideal for POV and low-brightness applications
- Chainable – Each LED acts as a shift register; chain as many as you need
- 5050 SMD Package – Compact 5 × 5mm footprint, easy to solder
Ideal For
- Custom addressable RGB LED arrangements
- Persistence-of-Vision (POV) displays
- Upgrading from NeoPixels to higher-performance addressable LEDs
- Projects requiring smooth, flicker-free colour transitions
Package Contents
- 10× APA102C 5050 RGB LEDs
Resources
Jargon buster
Plain-language definitions for the technical terms used above.
- LED
- A light-emitting diode is a small electronic component that lights up when current flows through it in the correct direction. In this kit, LEDs create the flashing effect, so polarity and correct soldering matter for the project to work.
- NeoPixel
- A type of addressable LED system where colour data is sent along a single digital data line from one LED or controller to the next. Compatibility matters because the timing and signal format must match for the lights or driver board to respond correctly.
- PWM
- Pulse Width Modulation is a way for a digital pin to simulate variable output power by switching on and off very quickly. It matters for controlling things like LED brightness, motor speed, or servo-style signals from a microcontroller pin.
- RGB
- Short for red, green and blue, usually referring to an LED that can mix those three colours. It matters because controlling an RGB LED teaches how separate outputs combine to create different colours.
- SPI
- A fast serial communication bus often used for displays, memory cards, and sensors. It matters because SPI devices need specific pins for clock and data, plus a separate chip-select line for each device.
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