Addressable leds and how to switch sections on serial connection

Using Arduino Programming Questions
1

Hi I am new to this and would like some help, I have connected up boards and leds and im learning some basic programming.

But I have an idea that im trying to put together and not sure if its possible.

The idea is.

I want to show in leds whats happening on a electrical switchpanel by running addressable leds on a wiring schematic of the panel. The only cables would be live neutral and data.

So im thinking I would run the leds along the schematic and count them from the start point to the next switch. Then as this goes live,I could using my laptop switch on say the first 10 of 100 leds as they are addressable. And then as the next switch is turned on I could then again switch the next set of leds from 10 to 20. And so on. I hope this make sense. Just a visual of whats happening and showing what parts of the panel are live at that point in time.

I would need about 100 or 200 leds on the addressable strip and would like to switch them in sections. Say 20 different switches. But not physical switches but from my computer maybe using the serial connection.

I have seen videos of people using excel, but this will be down the line once I have done what I wanted.

So, what would be the best board to use and does anyone know of any videos that would help me.

Thanks for any help that could be given.

2
  • What Arduino controller do you have now ? :thinking:
3

My first question..

These LEDs and the Arduino will not be located anywhere near the mains wiring ?

4

no, not on the panel or near mains cables

regards

5

i have a few, arduino uno, esp32 and esp8266.

but can get any that would work?

regards

6
  • The UNO is a 5v Controller, use this with the 5v LED string.

  • Always show us a good schematic of your proposed circuit.
    Show us good images of your ‘actual’ wiring.
    Give links to components.

  • In the Arduino IDE, use Ctrl T or CMD T to format your code then copy the complete sketch.
    Use the < CODE / > icon from the ‘posting menu’ to attach the copied sketch.