APA102 is the pro-grade addressable strip. This DC5V 5050 RGB tape has 60 LEDs per meter, each with a built-in APA102 IC—so every pixel is individually controllable with its own 8-bit brightness + 8-bit color depth. Unlike single-wire SK6812, APA102 uses CLK + DAT, giving jitter-free timing, very high frame rates, and flicker-free results under broadcast cameras. Great for concerts, LED video panels, cosplay, drones, kinetic installs, and SPI art. If you choose the breakpoint-bypass version, a failed pixel can be bridged so the tail keeps rendering. 5V system pairs perfectly with Arduino, ESP32/WLED (APA102 mode), K-1000C, Raspberry Pi, and Fadecandy.
APA102 = CLK+DAT – Clocked SPI, no strict timing loop; smoother than WS2812/SK6812 at high FPS.
60 Pixels/m, 1 LED = 1 IC – True single-point control, 24-bit-class color with global brightness byte.
Camera / Stage Ready – High refresh, low banding, no PWM crawl on video cameras.
Breakpoint-Bypass Version – Optional dual-signal/redundant data layout keeps tail alive after one pixel fails.
5V DIY Ecosystem – Arduino, ESP32/WLED, Raspberry Pi, Fadecandy, K-1000C, SPI→DMX decoder.
|
Parameter |
Specification |
|---|---|
|
Product Type |
Addressable RGB LED strip (clocked SPI) |
|
LED / IC |
SMD5050 RGB + built-in APA102 / APA102C |
|
Voltage |
DC 5V |
|
LED Density |
60 LEDs/m |
|
Pixel Density |
60 pixels/m (1 LED = 1 pixel) |
|
Signal Lines |
4 wires: 5V / GND / CLK / DAT |
|
Data Format |
APA102 (start frame + 4 bytes/pixel: 0xE0+bright+R+G+B) |
|
Global Brightness |
5-bit (32 levels) on IC, 8-bit color per channel |
|
Refresh |
Very high; smooth gradient & camera-friendly |
|
Power |
~14.4 W/m (0.24W/LED), full white; ~18W/m max on some bins |
|
PCB Width |
10mm / 12mm common |
|
Cut Unit |
1 LED (16.67 mm) |
|
Controllers |
Arduino FastLED, ESP32/WLED, Raspberry Pi, Fadecandy, K-1000C, SPI-DMX |
|
Breakpoint |
Standard: no / Bypass-version: yes (confirm with supplier) |
|
IP Rating |
IP20 / IP65 / IP67 / IP68 |
|
Life |
30,000–50,000 hrs |
