understanding chip and component variations

Hello,
Looking up the TLC5940 at http://focus.ti.com/docs/prod/folders/print/tlc5940.html , I end up at TLC5940 data sheet, product information and support | TI.com with a list of similarly named parts, that seem different in various ways. None of them are named "TLC5940". I get the same interesting variety at http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Cat=2556628;keywords=TLC5940 .

What details should I be paying attention to? Are these newer parts? Will one of them kill me when I plug it in?

Forgive my lack of electronics knowledge. I'm a designer just starting to dig into all the possibilities. So much to learn! Thanks for the feedback. :slight_smile:

The most important thing you have to take into consideration is the package. If you're using perfboard / protoboard / DIY PCB... you'll want a DIL (Dual In-Line) package (unless you can solder SMDs), but manufacturers sometimes name these differently (PDIP in your case, Plastic Dual In-line Package).

The package is the form factor of the chip : what size, how much pins, what kind of pins, Surface Mount Component (SMC / SMD) or Through Hole, .... More infos here > How to identify chip packages | How To Wiki | Fandom

For the TLC5940 (yeaaaah, those chips are goooood ^^), you have for exemple
TLC5940-PWP-R-G4
TLC5940 = chip, you know
PWP = Package type > HTSSOP = Heatsink Thin Shrink Small Outline Package

R = Package carrier > When they sell large quantity of chips, they can be shipped in tubes or reels, for automatic placement of the chips by machines, in this case, Tape&Reel
G4 = I don't know.... ^^

Anyway, always check the package, if possible, take DIL/DIP, the easiest to handle for us hobbyist and beginners ^^

Good answer, also:-

The other variations you find are temperature ratings. Most industrial ICs are rated to work between 0 and 70 degrees C. But you can get chips rated to work cooler or hotter by a few tens of degrees.
The other thing is the lead free or RoHS compliant codes. This has no implication for hobbyists it's just that you have to be RoHS compliant to sell built up units into Europe.
Also in some memory devices and processors access speeds are graded.
These as will as the packaging will give added suffixes to a part number.

Awesome! I'm not so intimidated now. I went ahead and ordered some free TLC5940NT samples!

Thanks for the assist.