RGB flashing LED 5 mm - clear housing, 2-pin, 2-3.3 V

Product overview

• RGB LED for flashing and color mixing in a 5 mm package, clear housing
• Common anode, 2-pin connection
• Red, green, and blue controllable via three parallel transistors or PWM outputs
• Operating voltage 2 V to 3.3 V per color channel
• Typical current consumption 20 mA per color channel

Product description

This common-anode RGB LED allows any mixed color to be generated by controlling the three color channels in parallel. Each color requires its own circuit with a current-limiting resistor and control mechanism; microcontroller pins, transistors, or PWM outputs perform this task.

The 2-pin connection is irregular because only the common anode and one cathode are combined in the connector. The three color cathodes must be brought out separately and switched individually. Pulse-width modulation creates intermediate values between the pure colors, allowing LED flashing effects and smooth transitions to be implemented.

Applications range from status indicators in devices (red for an error, green for operation), through atmospheric lighting in art installations, to color feedback in game projects. The LED can also serve as a color indicator for measured values, for example to display temperature ranges using different colors.

The power supply must be able to provide a total current of up to approximately 60 mA (three channels at 20 mA each). Many common boards cannot supply this power through the GPIO port, making external transistors or driver ICs necessary. The LED is connected in series with current-limiting resistors; the exact resistance values depend on the operating voltage and the desired brightness.

Safety notice

This RGB LED is intended exclusively for building prototypes and for testing and development purposes. Ensure correct polarity and compliance with the current limits for each color channel to prevent failures. Use in mains circuits is not permitted.

Scope of delivery

• 1× RGB F5 Fast Flash LED (5 mm, 2-pin)