Looking for a type of wire, don't know what it's called

Using Arduino General Electronics
1

I'm wiring up a bunch of three colour (four-lead) LEDs, in many places I need to control three LED's leads from a single PIN. Is there any pre-made wire bundle that has a single lead at one end, but branches off into three (or more) leads at some point? Like a tree, say 50cm of "truck" that then branches out into 3 25 cm branches? The lengths are arbitrary, I'm just trying to describe something.

If I were to make this myself by solding, I would have a hard time insulating the branching-off portion in a fashion that is compact and tidy. I did consider simply striping small bits of the wire without cutting it, then soldering onto the exposed portions. But if I can acquire a "splitter" wire already made that would be great.

What would such a component (wire that branches out) be called, and from where might I order one?

2

I don't think you will find a length of cable that fits your requirements. It sounds quite custom.

However, what comes to mind is a length of 6-way (or more ways as needed) IDC ribbon cable. You can crimp on a plug or socket at whatever interval you need. You can then make up branches of IDC ribbon cable of whatever length you like to plug into the main cable.

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DIY

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IDC ribbon might be a good idea, especially if it will hold black paint well. Three rows of 12 pin cable each, I'll play around with the idea and see if I can get a small PCB printed that would wire the thing correctly. Thank you!

Will IDC ribbon carry enough current to light one of the leads of a typical three-colour project LED?

1 Like
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That's a good idea. I did consider trying the liquid insulation tape but this might be a better solution. Thank you.

6

I think you can buy black ribbon cable. Not sure if it as common as good old grey.

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Good to know, thank you.

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So much depends on the LENGTH of the conductor. You can buy ribbon cable with almost any size wire you want. The insulation displacement connectors for that wire will be the problem.

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You can also crimp Y cables too.

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Perfect, thank you! Now that I know they are called Y cables, I can find them. And I just might invest in the crimping tools, it's something that I should have done a while ago.

Thank you.

11

It reads like you're decribing a circuit like this:

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Keep in mind the current limitations of the controller pins.

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Yes, thank you, I'll probably use a transistor to power the LEDs.

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