PCA9685 16-Channel 12-Bit PWM Servo Driver

The PCA9685 16-Channel 12-Bit PWM Servo Motor Driver I2C Module solves one of the most common bottlenecks in robotics and LED projects: running out of PWM pins on your microcontroller. Using just two I2C pins (SDA and SCL), this module lets you independently control up to 16 servo motors or LEDs with 12-bit resolution, giving you 4096 steps of positioning or brightness precision per channel. It’s an essential building block for hobbyists and makers working on hexapod walkers, robotic arms, pan-tilt camera mounts, animatronics, RGB LED installations, and multi-servo RC projects.

Built around the PCA9685 driver IC, the module features a built-in oscillator that generates all PWM signals internally and completely free-running, meaning your microcontroller doesn’t need to continuously send updates once configured, freeing it up for other tasks. Need more than 16 outputs? Up to 62 boards can be daisy-chained on a single I2C bus using the onboard address-select jumpers, giving a maximum of 992 independently controllable PWM channels. The adjustable PWM frequency range suits both standard hobby servos and LED dimming applications, while built-in 220Ω series resistors, reverse polarity protection, and an Output Enable pin add safety and convenience. Compatible with Arduino, ESP32, ESP8266, and Raspberry Pi, this driver module is a reliable, well-documented choice for anyone scaling up a multi-servo or multi-LED project.

Specification:

• Driver IC : PCA9685
• Channels : 16 independent PWM outputs
• Resolution : 12-bit (4096 steps)
• Interface : I2C (SDA, SCL)
• PWM Frequency Range : Approximately 24Hz to 1526Hz
• Chainable : Up to 62 boards (992 channels)
• Logic Compatibility : 3.3V and 5V
• Output Protection : 220Ω series resistors on all channels
• Board Size : Approx. 62mm x 25mm