The PCA9685 16-Channel 12-bit PWM Servo Driver is the ultimate solution for projects that require precise control over multiple servos or LEDs. At Electrapac, we recommend this module for roboticists and hobbyists who have outgrown the limited PWM pins on a standard Arduino and need a scalable, high-resolution controller.

Product Overview

The PCA9685 is an I2C-controlled PWM driver with a built-in clock. This means that, unlike other controllers, you don't need to continuously send signals from your microcontroller; once you set the position, the driver handles the pulse-width modulation (PWM) automatically. Using only two pins (SDA and SCL), you can control up to 16 servos. Even better, you can chain up to 62 of these boards together to control a staggering 992 servos from a single I2C port.

Key Features for Electrapac Customers

• 12-bit Precision: With 4,096 levels of resolution, this driver provides incredibly smooth movement for servos and fine-tuned dimming for LEDs.

• External Power Terminal: Features a dedicated power input terminal with a reverse polarity protection capacitor, ensuring your high-current servos don't draw power through your Arduino's delicate circuitry.

• Daisy-Chain Capability: The board features address-selection solder pads (A0 to A5). By changing the address, you can stack multiple boards to build complex hexapod robots or massive LED matrices.

• Internal Oscillator: The chip has its own built-in clock, which frees up your microcontroller's processor to handle other tasks while the PCA9685 maintains the servo positions.

• Breadboard Friendly: Comes with standard 3-pin headers grouped by channel (Ground, V+, Signal), allowing you to plug 16 servos directly into the board without messy wiring.

Wiring & Setup Guide

To get your robotics project moving with parts from www.electrapac.com:

1. I2C Connection: Connect VCC to 5V, GND to Ground, SDA to A4 (on Arduino Uno), and SCL to A5.

2. Servo Power: For servos, do not rely on the Arduino's 5V pin. Connect an external 5V or 6V power supply (capable of at least 2A) to the large blue terminal block on the end of the driver board.

3. OE (Output Enable) Pin: This pin is active low. If left disconnected, it is internally pulled low and the outputs are enabled. Pulling it High will quickly disable all outputs.

Primary Applications

• Robotics: Controlling the joints of hexapods, quadrupeds, or multi-axis robotic arms.

• LED Dimming: Driving up to 16 channels of LEDs with individual brightness control for light shows or backlighting.

• Animatronics: Managing complex facial movements or puppet controls.

• Drone Gimbals: Stabilizing camera platforms with high-frequency PWM signals.

Why Shop at Electrapac?

We source our PCA9685 Drivers with high-quality filter capacitors to ensure stable voltage delivery to your servos, preventing jitter and "twitching." At www.electrapac.com, we provide the expansion modules that turn a simple Arduino into a powerful multi-tasking controller.