16×2 LCD Display with I2C Interface

The 16×2 LCD Display with I2C Interface (Blue Backlight) is a compact alphanumeric display module designed for displaying text in microcontroller-based projects. Featuring 16 characters across 2 rows (32 characters total), it uses an HD44780-compatible controller for reliable operation with platforms like Arduino, Raspberry Pi, ESP32, and more. The integrated I2C adapter, based on the PCF8574 I/O expander chip, simplifies connectivity by converting I2C serial data to parallel data, requiring only four connections: VCC (5V, or 3.3V for some variants), GND, SDA (serial data, e.g., A4 on Arduino Uno), and SCL (serial clock, e.g., A5). This reduces pin usage compared to traditional 16-pin parallel LCDs, freeing up GPIO for other sensors or modules. The module supports 5×8 dot matrix characters, with customizable fonts and a contrast adjustment potentiometer on the I2C board for clear readability. The blue LED backlight (white text on blue background) is jumper-selectable, allowing brightness control via an external voltage source if the jumper is removed. Operating at 5V (~20mA without backlight, ~100mA with backlight), it has a typical I2C address of 0x27 or 0x3F (configurable via A0/A1/A2 solder pads for multiple devices). The display measures ~80x36x12mm (excluding headers) with a 54x14mm viewing area and includes M3 mounting holes for secure installation. Compatible with libraries like LiquidCrystal_I2C by Frank de Brabander for Arduino, it’s easy to program for displaying sensor data, status messages, or custom characters (e.g., via online character generators). This RoHS-compliant module is ideal for IoT devices, robotics, and educational projects, with a contrast pot and backlight jumper ensuring versatility. Note: Solder the I2C module to the LCD for stable connections, and verify the I2C address using an I2C scanner sketch to avoid bus conflicts.