Arduino shield with PCA9685 providing 16 channels of 12-bit PWM over I2C (addresses 0x60–0x80). Up to 62 shields can be stacked for 992 total outputs. Drives servos up to 6 V from 5 V logic; ~4 µs resolution at 60 Hz.
Arduino/shield logic ground and shared signal reference
Powers the PWM controller and sets I2C/PWM logic level
I2C data line for PCA9685 control, default shield address 0x40
I2C clock line for PCA9685 control, default shield address 0x40
External servo/PWM load supply input through the terminal block
External servo/PWM load supply return, commoned with shield ground
Middle power row distributed to all 16 servo headers
PCA9685 channel 0 PWM signal for a servo, LED, or PWM load
PCA9685 channel 1 PWM signal for a servo, LED, or PWM load
PCA9685 channel 2 PWM signal for a servo, LED, or PWM load
PCA9685 channel 3 PWM signal for a servo, LED, or PWM load
PCA9685 channel 4 PWM signal for a servo, LED, or PWM load
PCA9685 channel 5 PWM signal for a servo, LED, or PWM load
PCA9685 channel 6 PWM signal for a servo, LED, or PWM load
PCA9685 channel 7 PWM signal for a servo, LED, or PWM load
PCA9685 channel 8 PWM signal for a servo, LED, or PWM load
PCA9685 channel 9 PWM signal for a servo, LED, or PWM load
PCA9685 channel 10 PWM signal for a servo, LED, or PWM load
PCA9685 channel 11 PWM signal for a servo, LED, or PWM load
PCA9685 channel 12 PWM signal for a servo, LED, or PWM load
PCA9685 channel 13 PWM signal for a servo, LED, or PWM load
PCA9685 channel 14 PWM signal for a servo, LED, or PWM load
PCA9685 channel 15 PWM signal for a servo, LED, or PWM load
| Pin | Position | Type | Function | Voltage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GND | Arduino shield header ground pins; also bottom row of servo headers | Ground | Arduino/shield logic ground and shared signal reference | 0V |
| 5VVCC | Arduino shield 5V header | Power | Powers the PWM controller and sets I2C/PWM logic level | 5V logic from Arduino |
| SDA | Arduino SDA header; also connected to A4 for older Arduino compatibility | I2C | I2C data line for PCA9685 control, default shield address 0x40 | logic level set by VCC |
| SCL | Arduino SCL header; also connected to A5 for older Arduino compatibility | I2C | I2C clock line for PCA9685 control, default shield address 0x40 | logic level set by VCC |
| V+ terminal + | 2-pin terminal block positive input | Power | External servo/PWM load supply input through the terminal block | 5V to 6V DC recommended for servos |
| V+ terminal -servo ground | 2-pin terminal block negative input and servo header bottom row | Ground | External servo/PWM load supply return, commoned with shield ground | 0V |
| Servo header V+ rail | middle row of the 16 3-pin servo headers | Power | Middle power row distributed to all 16 servo headers | V+ external supply, typically 5V to 6V |
| CH0 PWM | top/signal row of 3-pin servo header channel 0 | PWM | PCA9685 channel 0 PWM signal for a servo, LED, or PWM load | logic level set by VCC; series-protected PWM output |
| CH1 PWM | top/signal row of 3-pin servo header channel 1 | PWM | PCA9685 channel 1 PWM signal for a servo, LED, or PWM load | logic level set by VCC; series-protected PWM output |
| CH2 PWM | top/signal row of 3-pin servo header channel 2 | PWM | PCA9685 channel 2 PWM signal for a servo, LED, or PWM load | logic level set by VCC; series-protected PWM output |
| CH3 PWM | top/signal row of 3-pin servo header channel 3 | PWM | PCA9685 channel 3 PWM signal for a servo, LED, or PWM load | logic level set by VCC; series-protected PWM output |
| CH4 PWM | top/signal row of 3-pin servo header channel 4 | PWM | PCA9685 channel 4 PWM signal for a servo, LED, or PWM load | logic level set by VCC; series-protected PWM output |
| CH5 PWM | top/signal row of 3-pin servo header channel 5 | PWM | PCA9685 channel 5 PWM signal for a servo, LED, or PWM load | logic level set by VCC; series-protected PWM output |
| CH6 PWM | top/signal row of 3-pin servo header channel 6 | PWM | PCA9685 channel 6 PWM signal for a servo, LED, or PWM load | logic level set by VCC; series-protected PWM output |
| CH7 PWM | top/signal row of 3-pin servo header channel 7 | PWM | PCA9685 channel 7 PWM signal for a servo, LED, or PWM load | logic level set by VCC; series-protected PWM output |
| CH8 PWM | top/signal row of 3-pin servo header channel 8 | PWM | PCA9685 channel 8 PWM signal for a servo, LED, or PWM load | logic level set by VCC; series-protected PWM output |
| CH9 PWM | top/signal row of 3-pin servo header channel 9 | PWM | PCA9685 channel 9 PWM signal for a servo, LED, or PWM load | logic level set by VCC; series-protected PWM output |
| CH10 PWM | top/signal row of 3-pin servo header channel 10 | PWM | PCA9685 channel 10 PWM signal for a servo, LED, or PWM load | logic level set by VCC; series-protected PWM output |
| CH11 PWM | top/signal row of 3-pin servo header channel 11 | PWM | PCA9685 channel 11 PWM signal for a servo, LED, or PWM load | logic level set by VCC; series-protected PWM output |
| CH12 PWM | top/signal row of 3-pin servo header channel 12 | PWM | PCA9685 channel 12 PWM signal for a servo, LED, or PWM load | logic level set by VCC; series-protected PWM output |
| CH13 PWM | top/signal row of 3-pin servo header channel 13 | PWM | PCA9685 channel 13 PWM signal for a servo, LED, or PWM load | logic level set by VCC; series-protected PWM output |
| CH14 PWM | top/signal row of 3-pin servo header channel 14 | PWM | PCA9685 channel 14 PWM signal for a servo, LED, or PWM load | logic level set by VCC; series-protected PWM output |
| CH15 PWM | top/signal row of 3-pin servo header channel 15 | PWM | PCA9685 channel 15 PWM signal for a servo, LED, or PWM load | logic level set by VCC; series-protected PWM output |
Arduino/shield logic ground and shared signal reference
Powers the PWM controller and sets I2C/PWM logic level
I2C data line for PCA9685 control, default shield address 0x40
I2C clock line for PCA9685 control, default shield address 0x40
External servo/PWM load supply input through the terminal block
External servo/PWM load supply return, commoned with shield ground
Middle power row distributed to all 16 servo headers
PCA9685 channel 0 PWM signal for a servo, LED, or PWM load
PCA9685 channel 1 PWM signal for a servo, LED, or PWM load
PCA9685 channel 2 PWM signal for a servo, LED, or PWM load
PCA9685 channel 3 PWM signal for a servo, LED, or PWM load
PCA9685 channel 4 PWM signal for a servo, LED, or PWM load
PCA9685 channel 5 PWM signal for a servo, LED, or PWM load
PCA9685 channel 6 PWM signal for a servo, LED, or PWM load
PCA9685 channel 7 PWM signal for a servo, LED, or PWM load
PCA9685 channel 8 PWM signal for a servo, LED, or PWM load
PCA9685 channel 9 PWM signal for a servo, LED, or PWM load
PCA9685 channel 10 PWM signal for a servo, LED, or PWM load
PCA9685 channel 11 PWM signal for a servo, LED, or PWM load
PCA9685 channel 12 PWM signal for a servo, LED, or PWM load
PCA9685 channel 13 PWM signal for a servo, LED, or PWM load
PCA9685 channel 14 PWM signal for a servo, LED, or PWM load
PCA9685 channel 15 PWM signal for a servo, LED, or PWM load
PWM · I2C · UART · Wide input · Breakout
Confirm the data interface matches your host board.
Module pins: 5V / VCC, V+ terminal +, Servo header V+ rail, GND, V+ terminal - / servo ground, SDA, SCL, CH0 PWM. Schematik maps them to your board in the app.
H-bridge breakouts from 1A to 43A (DRV8871, TB6612FNG, BTS7960), stepper drivers (A4988, TMC260, TB6600), I2C servo/solenoid controllers, and Pi/Arduino shields — sized by current and protocol.
15A Single DC Motor Driver visual preview15A Single DC Motor Driver
2×15A DC Motor Driver visual preview2×15A DC Motor Driver
20A Bidirectional Brushed ESC Speed Controller without Brake (XT60 Connector) visual preview20A Bidirectional Brushed ESC Speed Controller without Brake (XT60 Connector)
2x1A DC Motor Shield for Arduino visual preview2x1A DC Motor Shield for Arduino
2x2A DC Motor Shield for Arduino visual preview2x2A DC Motor Shield for Arduino
2x3A DC Motor Driver Carrier Board for UNIHIKER M10 visual preview2x3A DC Motor Driver Carrier Board for UNIHIKER M10
2x7A DC Motor Driver visual preview2x7A DC Motor Driver
40A Bidirectional Brushed ESC Speed Controller (XT60, No Brake) visual preview40A Bidirectional Brushed ESC Speed Controller (XT60, No Brake)
8-Channel PWM or Servo FeatherWing visual preview8-Channel PWM or Servo FeatherWing
Adafruit 16-Channel 12-bit PWM/Servo Driver - I2C interface [PCA9685] visual previewAdafruit 16-Channel 12-bit PWM/Servo Driver - I2C interface [PCA9685]
Adafruit 16-Channel PWM / Servo Bonnet for Raspberry Pi visual previewAdafruit 16-Channel PWM / Servo Bonnet for Raspberry Pi
Adafruit DC & Stepper Motor Bonnet for Raspberry Pi visual previewAdafruit DC & Stepper Motor Bonnet for Raspberry Pi
12V 184P Gear Motor with Encoder visual previewN20 micros in 1:50–1:298 ratios, 6V TT gearbox motors (120:1, 160RPM), 12V quadrature encoder gearmotors up to 45kg.cm, plus coreless micros, vibration discs, USB fans and a few outlier brushless motors.
Motors & actuators · DC & gear motors · 135 parts
12V Solenoid Valve - DN15 visual previewSolenoid valves (DN15/DN20 12V), 6V pneumatic air valves, push-pull and lock-style solenoids, 5V electromagnets (3–35kg holding force), 6V electric push rods (10–100mm stroke), peristaltic dosing pumps and submersible water pumps.
Motors & actuators · Pumps & solenoids · 41 parts
1 Degree of Freedom DF05BB Steering Head visual previewRobot chassis (2WD miniQ, 4WD mecanum, 6WD outdoor), mecanum wheels (48–97mm), brass hex hubs (4–6mm), shaft couplers, 2GT timing pulleys and uArm robotic arms.
Motors & actuators · Robotics & mechanics · 144 parts
2.3KG Serial Bus Servo (6V) visual preview9g micros and clutch PWM servos, IP67 metal servos to 35KG, and ST/SC/CF serial bus servos (2.3kg to 120kg.cm at 24V) — protocol matters as much as torque rating here.
Motors & actuators · Servos · 100 parts