Community project
ESP32 PWM LED Dimmer
This project demonstrates PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) by fading an LED smoothly up and down. The Arduino board rapidly switches a digital pin on and off; by adjusting how long the pin stays on during each cycle, the LED's brightness appears to change continuously from off to full brightness and back again.
The guide includes a wiring diagram showing how to connect the LED and current-limiting resistor to the Arduino, a complete parts list, and the firmware code that controls the fade effect. Builders will learn how PWM works and how to use it to control LED brightness or other analog-like effects on a digital microcontroller.
Wiring diagram
Gather all the parts
Review all connections
1. Connections between "resistor_1" and "Arduino"
2. Connections between "led_1" and "Arduino"
Deploy the firmware
// Basic PWM Output Signal — LED fade demonstration.
// PWM sends very fast ON/OFF pulses; changing the ON-time changes the LED's apparent brightness.
const byte LED_PWM_PIN = 9; // D9 is connected to the resistor, then the LED's long leg.
int brightness = 0; // Store the PWM level: 0 is off and 255 is fully on.
int fadeAmount = 5; // Store how much the brightness changes on each update.
void setup() { // This function runs once after the board starts.
pinMode(LED_PWM_PIN, OUTPUT); // Make D9 an output so it can drive the LED.
} // setup() is complete.
void loop() { // This function repeats forever.
analogWrite(LED_PWM_PIN, brightness); // Output PWM: larger brightness keeps the LED on longer each cycle.
brightness = brightness + fadeAmount; // Calculate the next brightness level.
if (brightness <= 0 || brightness >= 255) { // Check whether the fade reached either end.
fadeAmount = -fadeAmount; // Reverse direction so the LED fades back the other way.
} // The direction check is complete.
delay(30); // Wait 30 milliseconds so the change looks smooth to your eyes.
} // loop() starts again from the top.Remix this project
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Open a full copy of this project in your own Schematik workspace — diagram, code, parts, and assembly steps included. Swap the sensor, add features, or redesign the whole thing with AI. The author's original stays untouched.
