SparkFun
SparkFun ESP32 Thing Plus DMX to LED Shield
The SparkFun ESP32 Thing Plus DMX to LED Shield enables sending and receiving DMX data via an on-board XLR-3 jack or over ArtNet. Designed for developing cus...
The SparkFun ESP32 Thing Plus DMX to LED Shield enables sending and receiving DMX data via an on-board XLR-3 jack or over ArtNet. Designed for developing custom DMX fixtures or adding ArtNet capabilities to existing setups, the shield includes electrical isolation between the controller and communication side to prevent ground loops, meeting the DMX standard requirement.
LED outputs are broken out to poke-home connectors ordered to match APA102 LED strips. A logic level converter between the microcontroller and LED data pins brings the output up to 5 V logic, accommodating 3.3 V Feather-format boards. The shield is compatible with the SparkFun Thing Plus – ESP32 WROOM and any board with a Feather footprint.
Key Features
- DMX via XLR-3 – On-board XLR-3 jack for standard DMX input/output
- ArtNet Support – Send and receive DMX data over the network
- Electrical Isolation – Isolated RS-485 transceiver prevents ground loops
- Poke-Home LED Connectors – Ordered for APA102 LED strip wiring
- Logic Level Conversion – 3.3 V to 5 V shifting on LED data pins
- Feather Compatible – Works with any Feather-footprint microcontroller
Specifications
- DMX Interface – XLR-3 jack (RS-485, electrically isolated)
- LED Output – Poke-home connectors (APA102 pinout)
- Power Input – 5 V via 2-pin 3.5 mm screw terminal (26–16 AWG, ~5–6 mm strip length) or USB from host board
- Logic Levels – 5 V output on LED data pins with on-board level shifter
- Form Factor – Feather-compatible shield
Ideal For
- Custom DMX fixture development
- ArtNet-to-DMX bridge projects
- APA102 LED strip controllers
- Stage lighting and interactive installations
Package Contents
- 1× SparkFun ESP32 Thing Plus DMX to LED Shield
Resources
Jargon buster
Plain-language definitions for the technical terms used above.
- AWG
- American Wire Gauge is a numbering system for wire thickness, where a lower number means a thicker wire. The AWG rating matters because thicker wire can usually carry more current with less voltage drop and heating.
- 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.
- Feather-compatible
- Feather-compatible means the board follows the Adafruit Feather size and pin layout used by many add-on boards and enclosures. It matters because it helps you choose accessories that will physically fit and connect to the same pins.
- 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.
- Shield
- An add-on board that plugs into a main controller board to give it extra features such as sensing, motor control or communication. Knowing a product supports shields helps you judge whether it can connect neatly into an existing maker-board setup.
- Thing Plus
- Thing Plus is SparkFun’s development-board form factor with a small rectangular layout and connections suited to wireless and battery-powered projects. It matters because boards and accessories in the same form factor are easier to mount, wire, and swap between projects.
Find this product in
ESP32 Thing Plus DMX to LED Shield Schematic
Schematic · 134.1 KB · Click any page to view full size
Supplier page — sparkfun.com
Supplier Description · 737.9 KB · Click any page to view full size
Resources & Downloads
Guides, code examples, and more
Related Tutorials
Free guides on learn.littlebird.com.au
