Introduction: ARDUINO UNO - Commom Cathode RGB LED 3-colour Blink Using Simple Code

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Here is a simple circuit with even simpler code to blink a common cathode RGB LED. All you need is basic information about Arduino UNO and understanding of simple Arduino Code such as 'Blink' example code in Arduino IDE.

Step 1: Components Needed

You will need following components:

1. Arduino UNO (or any ARduino UNO clone board)

2. 3 X 220 Ohm Resistor

3. Common Cathode RGB LED

4. Bread board

5. Jumper Cables

Step 2: Circuit Connection

Now connect the Common Cathode of the RGB LED to any Ground Pin on the Arduino UNO.

Connect the 3 anode legs to 220 Ohm resistor and further connect them to digital pin 6, 4 and 3.

The circuit is done now head over to the Arduino IDE

Step 3: The Code

void setup() {

// initialize digital pin 3,4 & 6 as an output.

pinMode(3, OUTPUT);

pinMode(4, OUTPUT);

pinMode(6, OUTPUT); }

// the loop function runs over and over again forever

void loop() {

//here current flows through pin 6 illuminating red led in the RGB LED

digitalWrite(3, LOW);

digitalWrite(4, LOW);

digitalWrite(6, HIGH);

delay(500);

//here current flows through pin 3 illuminating green led in the RGB LED

digitalWrite(3, HIGH);

digitalWrite(4, LOW);

digitalWrite(6, LOW);

delay(500);

//here current flows through pin 4 illuminating blue led in the RGB LED

digitalWrite(3, LOW);

digitalWrite(4, HIGH);

digitalWrite(6, LOW);

delay(500);

//Further mixture of colours can be crteated by keeping any two pins HIGH at the same time

}