PLCC-2 / 1210 / 3528 SMD

PLCC-2 / 3528 SMD LEDs (also referenced as 1210-package) measure 3.5mm × 2.8mm and feature a 2-pin leaded design with a molded plastic housing and…

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PLCC-2 / 3528 SMD LEDs (also referenced as 1210-package) measure 3.5mm × 2.8mm and feature a 2-pin leaded design with a molded plastic housing and recessed reflector cavity. The “PLCC” stands for Plastic Leaded Chip Carrier — unlike the flat chip-type packages (0402 through 1206) that have simple bottom-contact pads, PLCC-2 LEDs have J-shaped side leads and a concave top cavity that acts as a built-in reflector, directing more of the emitted light forward for higher on-axis brightness. This construction makes the PLCC-2 / 3528 the go-to single-color SMD LED for applications that demand higher intensity than a chip-type LED can deliver: automotive instrument cluster backlighting, appliance control panel indicators, industrial equipment status lights, and commercial signage. We stock PLCC-2 LEDs in red, orange, amber, yellow, green, blue, white, warm white, and cool white.

Automotive instrument cluster rebuilding is the primary market for PLCC-2 / 3528 LEDs. GM, Ford, Chrysler, Honda, Toyota, and Volkswagen all used PLCC-2 LEDs extensively in 2000s–2010s instrument clusters to backlight the speedometer, tachometer, fuel gauge, temperature gauge, and warning icons (check engine, ABS, airbag, turn signal, oil pressure). When these LEDs fail — which they inevitably do after 10–20 years of continuous thermal cycling — the affected portion of the dashboard goes dark. The fix is straightforward: remove the instrument cluster (usually 4–8 screws and a wiring harness connector), desolder the failed PLCC-2 LED with a fine-tip iron and solder wick, and install a replacement. The r/CarRepair subreddit, GM-Trucks.com, HondaTech.com, TDIClub.com (VW diesel community), and dozens of YouTube channels (South Main Auto, FordTechMakuloco) walk through cluster LED replacement for specific vehicles. Common cluster LED replacement jobs include: GM Silverado/Sierra/Tahoe (2003–2006 “blue sweep” gauge cluster), Honda Civic (2001–2005 amber backlight), Ford F-150 (2004–2008 white backlight), Toyota Corolla/Camry, and Volkswagen Jetta/Golf/GTI. Upgrading from the original warm-orange LEDs to cool white PLCC-2 replacements is a popular modification that gives the cluster a modern look.

Appliance and industrial panel indicators are the second major application. HVAC control panels, washing machine displays, microwave touchpads, refrigerator temperature readouts, and industrial PLC front-panel boards all use PLCC-2 LEDs for status indication and backlighting. The molded housing provides mechanical ruggedness that chip-type LEDs lack — the side leads resist shear forces better than flat bottom-contact pads during vibration and thermal cycling, making the PLCC-2 more reliable in appliance and industrial environments. Maintenance technicians and appliance repair shops stock PLCC-2 LEDs in common colors for display board repairs, saving the cost of replacing an entire control board when only a backlight LED has failed.

Soldering PLCC-2 LEDs by hand is straightforward — easier in some ways than chip-type SMD components because the J-leads extend beyond the package body, giving you a visible target to touch with your soldering iron tip. A standard fine-tip soldering iron, standard 0.5–0.8mm solder wire, tweezers, and a flux pen are all you need. The process: apply flux to the PCB pads, place the LED with tweezers (the cathode marking — a notched corner or dot — must align with the polarity indicator on the PCB), tack one lead, check alignment, then solder the opposite lead. The J-lead wetting is very visible, so you can confirm a good joint by eye. For desoldering a failed LED during a cluster rebuild, apply flux, add fresh solder to both pads to improve heat transfer, then use solder wick or a desoldering pump to remove the old part cleanly. A hot-air station makes removal even easier — 300–350°C airflow at low speed lifts the part without risk of pad damage. For production assembly, PLCC-2 LEDs reflow solder nicely with standard lead or lead-free profiles.

Electrical specifications: PLCC-2 / 3528 LEDs run on the standard forward voltage ranges by color: red/orange/amber/yellow ≈ 1.8–2.2Vf; green/blue/white/UV ≈ 2.8–3.4Vf. Maximum continuous forward current is typically 20mA for standard-brightness parts. Luminous intensity is substantially higher than chip-type packages at the same current — typically 100–800mcd at 20mA — due to the larger die and the built-in reflector cavity that concentrates light forward. The viewing angle varies by variant but is typically 100–120°, somewhat narrower than the 140° common on flat chip LEDs, because the cavity walls focus the emission pattern. Power dissipation at 20mA is under 80mW, well within the package’s thermal rating. Always use a current-limiting resistor in series. Our LED resistor calculator provides the correct value for any supply voltage and current. For automotive 12V circuits at 20mA, typical resistor values are 510Ω (red) to 470Ω (white).

Package naming confusion: the PLCC-2 / 3528 package goes by several interchangeable names across datasheets and suppliers. “PLCC-2” describes the lead count (2 pins) and housing type. “3528” describes the metric footprint dimensions (3.5mm × 2.8mm). “1210” is sometimes used as an imperial size code, though this can cause confusion with the completely different 1210 chip capacitor footprint. Always check physical dimensions and pin count when cross-referencing parts — if it has two leads and a 3.5mm × 2.8mm body with a reflector cavity, it is a PLCC-2 / 3528 regardless of what the listing calls it.

Choosing the right PLCC variant: if you need a single-color, high-brightness SMD LED for gauge clusters, panel indicators, or backlight applications, the PLCC-2 / 3528 on this page is the correct choice. If you need RGB color mixing in the same 3528 body, see our PLCC-4 / 3528 SMD LEDs (4-pin RGB). If you need even higher output and full RGB capability for LED strip replacements or custom lighting arrays, see our PLCC-6 / 5050 SMD LEDs (6-pin, triple-die). For compact chip-type SMD LEDs when PLCC is too large, browse 1206, 0805, or smaller packages. For through-hole alternatives, see our DIP LEDs. The SMD LEDs parent category lists all surface-mount packages we carry.

Frequently Asked Questions

PLCC stands for Plastic Leaded Chip Carrier. The “2” indicates two electrical connections (anode and cathode). The PLCC-2 package measures 3.5mm × 2.8mm (also called “3528” in metric notation) and has a molded housing with a recessed reflector cavity and two J-shaped side leads. It is physically larger and brighter than chip-type SMD packages (0402 through 1206) and is the standard single-color LED package used in automotive instrument cluster backlighting.
PLCC-2 / 3528 LEDs are used in a wide range of 2000s–2010s instrument clusters, including GM Silverado, Sierra, Tahoe, and Yukon (2003–2006 generation); Honda Civic (2001–2005) and Accord; Ford F-150 (2004–2008); Toyota Corolla and Camry; Volkswagen Jetta, Golf, and GTI; and many Chrysler/Dodge vehicles. The LEDs backlight the speedometer, tachometer, fuel gauge, temperature gauge, and warning icons. When one fails, you can desolder the faulty LED and install a replacement — far cheaper than replacing the entire cluster assembly.
Apply flux to both pads, then add a small amount of fresh leaded solder to each lead to improve heat transfer (even on a lead-free board, the leaded solder lowers the melting point of the joint). Use solder wick to remove the bulk of the solder from each pad, then gently lift the LED with tweezers. Alternatively, a hot-air rework station at 300–350°C with low airflow can heat both pads simultaneously for a clean lift without risk of pad damage. Clean the pads with flux and solder wick before installing the replacement. Align the cathode marking on the new LED with the polarity indicator on the PCB, tack one lead, verify alignment, then solder the second lead.
The number after “PLCC” is the pin count. PLCC-2 has 2 pins (single-color: one anode + one cathode). PLCC-4 has 4 pins (typically three anodes for red/green/blue + one common cathode, enabling RGB color mixing in the same 3528 body). PLCC-6 has 6 pins (three separate anode/cathode pairs in a 5050 body for full independent RGB control and higher output). Choose PLCC-2 for single-color applications; PLCC-4 or PLCC-6 when you need RGB.
Yes — like all bare LEDs, PLCC-2 / 3528 LEDs require a current-limiting resistor in series. Without one, the LED will overdraw current and burn out. In automotive instrument clusters, the original PCB trace includes a resistor for each LED or group of LEDs — when replacing a failed LED, you reuse the existing resistor on the board. For new custom circuits, use our LED resistor calculator to find the correct value. If you want an LED with the resistor already included, see our pre-wired LEDs or 12V built-in resistor LEDs.
A PLCC-2 / 3528 LED is typically 2–5× brighter than a 1206 chip LED at the same 20mA current. Typical PLCC-2 intensity is 100–800mcd, compared to 30–300mcd for 1206. The difference comes from the larger die area and the built-in reflector cavity that concentrates light upward. This higher brightness is why PLCC-2 is the standard choice for automotive gauge backlighting, where the LED must illuminate a diffuser or light pipe with enough intensity to be readable in daylight.