Arduino Nano and WS2812B powering connections

Other Hardware LEDs and Multiplexing
1

Hello,
Please can I get some guidance on, whether I can connect Arduino Nano via USB and also supply external 5v to 5v pin? or is it going to destroy my nano. [ currently avaoiding risk by disconnecting LEDs and only connecting to Nano using USB, to transfer sketch]

My current setup is - see attached i.e. using 470 microfarads, 330 ohm resistor between datapin and LED matrix

I was not able to get Glediator, as COM pin was not visible in Glediator UI.
My goal is to get glediator running , with LEDs connected [ not disconnected as above]

please advice

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2

whether I can connect Arduino Nano via USB and also supply external 5v to 5v pin?

Yes you can.

My goal is to get glediator running

Good luck, it is a pile of crap and many features of it don't work.

3

OK, not only can, but that is in fact, the correct way to power the Nano. With a Nano, there is no risk of back-powering the PC's USB port from the main 5 V power supply, but you should not connect the USB unless either the main 5 V power supply is powered or the 5 V pin is disconnected, otherwise the LED strip can overload the USB supply.

A note however regard how you arrange the wiring. The 5 V power supply must be wired directly to the LED strip and the capacitor connects at this same point - the start of the LED strip. The 5 V and ground wires are run together as a twin, not separated.

Then the 5 V and ground wires run back from the LED strip to the Arduino together, but of course also paired with the data line. Note that the 330 Ohm series resistor also is located at the LED strip itself.

Ensuring that all power wires travel together with their grounds and also all data or control wires travel bundled together with their grounds or associated supply connection, is a critical part of design to avoid interference and possible program crashes. :sunglasses: