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JEJunior Engineer LabPico W + micro:bit course
06micro:bit · MakeCode 30 minutes

First external LED

Use the breakout adapter and switch an LED on P0.

First external LED project
Illustration of the finished idea. Build from the diagram and connection table, not the photo.

Lesson goal: Wire P0 → 1 kΩ → LED → GND and blink it with digital write.

Open MakeCode

Section 1

Understand

  • T-breakout adapter
  • breadboard rows
  • digital output
  • current-limiting resistor
  • LED polarity
  • 1P0 → 1 kΩ → LED long leg; short leg → GND.
  • 2digital write 1 turns it on, 0 turns it off.
  • 3Do not play music while P0 drives the LED.

Safety first

  • Unplug the USB cable before you add, move or remove any wire. Plug back in only after an adult or you have re-checked every connection against the table.
  • micro:bit pins are 3 V logic. Never connect 5 V, a battery pack or anything from a 5 V supply to any ring, port or the 3V ring.
  • Always use the 1 kΩ resistor with every LED.