Project Hub /Basic Analog & Power Electronics/Tricolour LED Nameplate With Arduino

Intermediate

ARDUINO

₹500 – ₹1,500

3 – 6 Hours

Partial Kit

Tricolour LED Nameplate With Arduino

Build a custom acrylic nameplate with programmable tricolour LED backlighting driven by an Arduino Uno.

Originally published on ElectronicsForU

View original tutorial

Parts You'll Need

This project is sourced from another site, not written by us — this list is our best match of their components against what we stock, not a verified bill of materials. Always check the original blog (linked above) for the actual parts list before buying.

Arduino UNO R3 Board (Compatible) – ATmega328P Microcontroller with USB Cable Rs. 999.00
10pcs 5mm RED Diffused Light Emitting Diodes - LEDs Set Rs. 39.00
MB102 Adjustable Breadboard Power Supply Module (3.3V & 5V) for Arduino & Raspberry Pi Rs. 139.00
Jumper Wire 10 Pin Male To Male 20cm Rs. 45.00
Cable for Arduino Nano (USB 2.0 A to USB 2.0 Mini B) 30cm Rs. 69.00
400 Points Mini Solderless Prototype PCB Breadboard High Quality Rs. 89.00
Jumper Wire 10 Pin Male To Female 20cm Rs. 45.00

Selected: Rs. 0.00

We don't carry yet: Enclosure / Box / Case

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How It Works

The Tricolour LED Nameplate functions as an interactive display system controlled by an Arduino Uno board. At its core, the circuit uses bicolour LEDs mounted behind a black acrylic sheet to create custom backlighting effects. The Arduino Uno, programmed via the Arduino IDE using a connected USB cable for both power and programming, sends digital and analog signals through connecting wires on a breadboard or veroboard to drive the LEDs. By controlling the voltage states applied to the individual diode junctions within the bicolour configuration, the microcontroller can switch between different color outputs and illumination patterns. The black acrylic sheet serves as a diffusing and masking front panel, blocking light where it is not wanted while allowing the programmable LED colors to clearly illuminate the custom nameplate text or design etched into or layered over the surface.

Why Build This

Design a programmable, micro-controller driven desk display suitable for professional office environments, home entrances, or reception areas.

Gain practical experience integrating digital electronics with physical fabrication using custom-cut black acrylic and board-level circuitry.

Apply embedded programming concepts to control multi-state lighting fixtures using an Arduino Uno development platform.

Real-World Application

Office desks, home entrances, professional nameplates, and reception signage.

Skills You'll Learn

Microcontroller digital output control

breadboard circuit assembly

basic LED multiplexing and biasing

physical enclosure integration

Arduino IDE programming

Safety Precautions

No specific precautions noted for this build — always follow general electronics safety practices.

Technology Tags

ARDUINO

LEDS

BICOLOR LEDS

ACRYLIC FABRICATION

MICROCONTROLLERS

C/C++

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I power this project using a standard USB wall adapter instead of keeping it plugged into a computer?

Yes, once the Arduino Uno is programmed via the Arduino IDE using the USB cable, you can power the board using any standard 5V USB power bank or wall adapter.

How do bicolour LEDs produce multiple colors with an Arduino?

Bicolour LEDs typically contain two different LED chips inside a single package (often red and green). By selectively applying power to each internal diode individually or rapidly alternating between them, you can illuminate each color separately or mix them to perceive a third combined color.

What is the purpose of the black acrylic sheet in this build?

The black acrylic sheet acts as a professional-looking opaque front panel and diffuser. It hides the internal wiring and breadboard from view while allowing the backlighting from the LEDs to shine through designated areas of the nameplate.

Gallery

This page is part of Kitkraft's Project Hub — a curated collection of electronics & robotics projects gathered from the maker community to help students and hobbyists discover and learn to build. Kitkraft does not claim authorship of the original project, and makes no representation as to the accuracy, completeness or safety of third-party source material. The summary and "How It Works" explanation above are AI-generated, rewritten with reference to the original tutorial — not a reproduction of it. Full credit and a direct link to the original source are provided above. If you're the original creator and have a concern about how your work is represented here, please contact us and we'll address it promptly.

Kitkraft Project Hub — curated from the maker community, credited at the source.

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