LED RGB 5mm Triple Output (common cathode)

High-Luminance 5mm RGB LED - Common Cathode Architecture

This versatile 5mm T-1 3/4 RGB LED provides a compact, multi-color illumination solution for custom electronics, breadboard prototyping, and visual status indication. Featuring a robust common cathode architecture, this component incorporates three independent Red, Green, and Blue semiconductor dies inside a single frosted epoxy housing. By modulating the current or applying pulse-width modulation (PWM) across the individual anode channels, engineers and makers can produce millions of distinct colors with smooth color blending and reduced hot-spotting.

Precise Pinout and Electrical Characteristics

The unit features four through-hole leads spaced for standard breadboard insertion. The longest terminal is the shared Common Cathode ground pin, surrounded by dedicated anode connections for Red, Green, and Blue. Operating forward voltages vary per channel: Red operates at 1.8V to 2.2V, while Green and Blue operate between 3.0V and 3.4V at a standard 20mA continuous forward current. Separate current-limiting resistors must be placed on each anode line to ensure stable operation and precise color accuracy.

Embedded System Integration and Applications

Designed for easy interfacing with 3.3V and 5V microcontrollers such as Arduino, ESP32, STM32, and Raspberry Pi, this tri-color LED is ideal for multi-state status indicators, user interface feedback, custom optical displays, and educational electronics projects. Its diffused dome provides a 60-degree viewing angle for consistent visibility across wide viewing perspectives.