SparkFun
LED RGB Strip - Addressable, 1m (APA102)
A 1 m addressable RGB LED strip packed with 60 APA102C LEDs. Unlike WS2812-based strips, APA102s are controlled via a standard SPI interface and feature an e...
A 1 m addressable RGB LED strip packed with 60 APA102C LEDs. Unlike WS2812-based strips, APA102s are controlled via a standard SPI interface and feature an extremely high PWM frequency for flicker-free dimming. Each LED is individually addressable for full colour control across the entire strip.
The strip runs on 5 V and can be cut between any two LEDs for custom lengths. It comes pre-terminated with 0.1" (2.54 mm) spaced 4-pin connectors on each end for easy daisy-chaining or direct connection to a microcontroller.
Key Features
- 60× APA102C LEDs – Individually addressable RGB with high PWM frequency
- SPI Interface – Two-wire (data + clock) for reliable, high-speed communication
- Flicker-Free Dimming – High PWM rate eliminates visible flicker on camera
- Cuttable – Trim to length between any two LEDs
- Pre-Terminated – 4-pin 0.1" connectors on both ends
Specifications
- LED Type – APA102C (RGB)
- LED Count – 60 per metre
- Length – 1 m
- Operating Voltage – 5 V
- Interface – SPI (data + clock)
Ideal For
- Decorative and ambient lighting
- LED art installations and wearables
- Video-friendly lighting (no flicker)
- Arduino, Raspberry Pi, and ESP32 projects
Package Contents
- 1× APA102C LED strip (1 m, 60 LEDs)
Resources
Jargon buster
Plain-language definitions for the technical terms used above.
- ESP32
- ESP32 is a family of microcontroller modules with built-in wireless features such as Bluetooth and WiFi. Knowing this product uses an ESP32-based module helps explain how it provides wireless serial communication and firmware update features.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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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Components
APA102C LED Datasheet
Datasheet · 875.0 KB · Click any page to view full size
S60102 LED Strip Datasheet
Datasheet · 1.5 MB · Click any page to view full size
Supplier page — sparkfun.com
Supplier Description · 543.3 KB · Click any page to view full size
Related Tutorials
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