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2 layers71.9 × 98.4 mmLed chaser, the printed circuit board in 3D

A simple 10-LED chaser circuit built around two classic ICs: the NE555 timer and the CD4017 decade counter.

Size
71.9 × 98.4 mm
Copper layers
2
Thickness
1.6 mm
Parts
19
Nets
18
Pads
57
Tracks, vias
192, 0
Routed
Yes
KiCad
KiCad 9.0 (file 20241229)
Created
14 Jan 2026
Updated
5 Sep 2026

Overview

Led chaser is an open-source printed circuit board by Adium1000, from the Adium1000/LED-CHASER-PCB repository on GitHub. It is a 2-layer board of 71.9 × 98.4 mm with 19 parts on 18 nets, routed with 192 tracks and 0 vias.

It is built around the NE555P. Its parts include 10 diodes, 2 capacitors, 2 resistors and 2 ICs.

Main components

1

README

README.md

LED Chaser

A simple 10-LED chaser circuit built around two classic ICs: the NE555 timer and the CD4017 decade counter.

The NE555 generates the clock signal, while the CD4017 uses that signal to drive the LEDs one after another, creating the classic LED chaser effect.

Final

Samples

Sample

Software

How It Works

The circuit is based on two main ICs:

  • NE555P: configured as an astable oscillator to generate the clock signal
  • CD4017: counts the clock pulses and activates each output sequentially

A potentiometer is used to adjust the frequency of the 555 timer, allowing you to control how fast the LEDs chase each other.

Bill of Materials

QuantityComponent
103mm LEDs
150kΩ Potentiometer
1470Ω Resistor
11kΩ Resistor
10.01µF Capacitor
11µF Capacitor
1CD4017 IC
1NE555P IC

Features

  • 10 sequential LEDs
  • Adjustable chase speed
  • Simple through-hole design
  • Built using widely available components
  • Great beginner electronics project
  • Custom PCB design

Parts

19
QtyValueFootprintReferences
10LEDLED_THT:LED_D3.0mmD1, D2, D3, D4, D5, D6, D7, D8, D9, D10
2MountingHole_PadConnector_PinSocket_2.54mm:PinSocket_1x01_P2.54mm_Vertical5V, GND
10.01 uFCapacitor_THT:CP_Radial_D5.0mm_P2.00mmC1 0.01 uF
11 uFCapacitor_THT:CP_Radial_D5.0mm_P2.00mmC2 1uF
11kResistor_THT:R_Axial_DIN0207_L6.3mm_D2.5mm_P7.62mm_HorizontalR1
14017IC:N16U1
1470Resistor_THT:R_Axial_DIN0207_L6.3mm_D2.5mm_P7.62mm_HorizontalR2 470 Ohm
150KPotentiometer_THT:Potentiometer_Bourns_3296Y_VerticalRV1
1NE555PPackage_DIP:DIP-8_W7.62mmU2

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Questions

How big is the Led chaser PCB?

It measures 71.9 × 98.4 mm and has 2 copper layers, 1.6 mm thick.

What parts does the Led chaser use?

19 parts, built around the NE555P. The full list of its parts is on this page, with links to each part's symbol and footprint where PCBKit's library has them.

Where can I download the Led chaser KiCad files?

From the Adium1000/LED-CHASER-PCB repository on GitHub, at the commit this page was made from: the board is PCB/led chaser.kicad_pcb and its schematic PCB/led chaser.kicad_sch. PCBKit opens the board in the browser, with nothing to install.

Can I use the Led chaser design in my own project?

Its repository states no licence, so its author keeps all rights: ask Adium1000 before reusing the design.