A color flash LED is a small light-emitting diode that produces various colors automatically in sequence. Compared to single-color LEDs, this type of color flash LED incorporates the required components to emit several colors at a set rate, such as green, blue, and red, along with their combinations. This design allows it to flash a variety of colors automatically whenever someone powers it. People frequently use these in decorative lighting systems wherever they need an attractive color-changing display. This article elaborates on the KY-034 module, pinout, features, specifications &its applications.
What is the KY-034 Module?
A KY-034 is a small, versatile & user-friendly color flash LED module that features a seven-color LED that automatically cycles through different colors. So it works as a self-flashing and multicolored light source. The KY-034 module cycles automatically through a set series of seven different colors to generate a flashing light effect.
You can easily connect this module to different microcontrollers like Arduino, Raspberry Pi, or ESP32. DIY electronics projects commonly utilize it mainly for attractive lighting effects because it integrates simply and can generate dynamic color changes without requiring extra control circuitry.
How KY-034 Module Works?
KY-034 module works when it is powered by emitting a series of color changes automatically from the light-emitting diode. So, this module includes a seven-color flash that cycles automatically throughout a fixed series of seven different colors whenever it is powered without requiring any programming to control the transitions of color. Thus, it acts as a self-contained color-changing LED without needing any extra control circuitry. This module can be integrated easily with different microcontrollers by simply connecting its power & signal pins to the Arduino board.
KY-034 module has a single light-emitting diode that displays seven different colors by mixing different color components at changeable intensities. So, this module includes an integrated circuit that handles the color transitions by controlling the current supply throughout the green, red, and blue color LEDs in the multi-color LED. So, a resistor in this module is used to limit the current supply throughout the LED and defend it from harm.
Pin Configuration:
The KY-034 module pin configuration is shown below. This module includes three pins, which are discussed below.
KY-034 Module Pin Configuration
- Pin-1 (GND): It is the ground of the negative power supply pin of the LED module.
- Pin-2 (+V): It is a positive power supply pin that provides a voltage supply to the LED module.
- Pin-3 (Signal): It is a signal or data pin that outputs the sensor module’s measured value directly.
Features & Specifications:
The features and specifications of the KY-034 module include the following.
- KY-034 is a color flash LED module.
- This module includes three pins.
- Its working voltage ranges from 3V to 5V DC.
LED type is 5mm RGB LED. - Its dimensions are; 1.85cm x 1.65cm x 4cm.
- It flashes automatically in a series of seven different colors.
- The flashing sequence is predefined.
- It includes in-built resistors & other components.
- It is compatible with different microcontrollers.
- This module’s standard ambient temperature ranges from 0°C to 50°C.
Equivalents & Alternatives
Equivalents to KY-034 modules are the APA102C, NeoPixel, WS2812B, etc. Alternative LED modules are RGB SMD modules, Hw-481, etc.
Interfacing KY-034 Module Interfacing with Arduino
The KY-034 seven-color LED flash module interfacing with Arduino is shown below. This seven-color flash LED module automatically generates seven different colors in a series. This module has yellow, green, and pink color high-brightness lights, so the flash module produces high-brightness light.
The required components for this interfacing mainly include the KY-034 7 color flash module, Arduino Uno board, breadboard, and jumper wires.
The connections of this interfacing follow as;
The KY-034 7-color flash module includes 3 pins like VCC, Ground, and signal pin.
Interfacing KY-034 Module with Arduino
- Connect the VCCin of the LED module to the +5v pin of Arduino directly.
- Connect the GND pin of the module to the GND pin of the Arduino module.
- Connect the signal pin of the module to digital pin 13 on the Arduino board.
Code:
The required code for interfacing a 7-color KY-034 LED flash module with Arduino is shown below. First of all, declare pin-13 in the setup for LED &set it within output mode. After that, in the loop function, an LED pin is set to HIGH mainly for 3000 msec & LOW for 2000 msec. In addition, seven different lights are flashed simultaneously.
int ledPin = 13; // pin to control KY-034
void setup() {
pinMode(ledPin, OUTPUT); // define pin as output
}
void loop() {
digitalWrite(ledPin, HIGH); // turn LED on
delay(3000); // wait for 3 seconds
digitalWrite(ledPin, LOW); // turn LED off
delay(1000); // wait for a second
}
Upload the above-given code into the Arduino Uno board & set all the components according to the interfacing. So in the above interfacing, we used the digital pin-13 on the Arduino Uno board to turn on the LED for 3 seconds & turn it off for a second. Finally, you will notice that seven different colors of lights are flashing.
Advantages & Disadvantages
The advantages of the KY-034 module include the following.
- The LED cycles automatically through a predefined series of colors.
- It doesn’t need additional control.
- This module works with different microcontroller boards.
- This module creates different lighting effects like flashing, changing colors, fading, etc.
- It is easy to incorporate into different projects.
- These are compact, cost-effective, visually appealing, simple to use, and widely compatible, etc.
The disadvantages of the KY-034 module include the following.
- You can predetermine the color series of this module, so it cannot be modified through code, which avoids its usage in applications where specific color combinations are necessary.
- You cannot control each color individually, so you can’t design complex lighting effects.
- These have the potential for variation.
- This board sometimes mislabeled the prints.
- You cannot modify its predefined color sequence.
Applications
The applications of the KY-034 module include the following.
- These modules add color-changing effects to ambient lighting, lamps, displays, or party decorations in decorative lighting.
- They serve as visual indicators, signaling different events or states by modifying colors within projects like status displays or user interfaces.
- Educational projects use these to demonstrate color mixing and fundamental LED control concepts within electronics learning.
- Designers use this module in ambiance lighting to create dynamic lighting effects in environments like vehicles, exhibits, or rooms.
- Artists use these in interactive art pieces.
- People use these modules in gadgets or toys by adding flashing lights with color variations.
Please refer to this link for the KY-034 Module Datasheet.
Thus, this is an overview of the KY-034 module, pin-out, features, specifications, working, and applications. This is a seven-color, light-emitting diode module that cycles automatically through a series of colors. So this module is helpful for visual effects, decorative lighting, and electronic projects that need changing colors. Here is a question for you: What is the WS2812B module?