Adafruit VEML6070 UV Sensor Breakout
Created by lady ada
Last updated on 2018-08-22 03:54:01 PM UTC
Guide Contents
Guide Contents
Overview
Pinouts
Power Pins:
I2C Pins
2
3
5
5
5
Other
Assembly
Prepare the header strip:
Add the breakout board:
And Solder!
5
6
6
7
8
Arduino
Wiring for Arduino
Install Library
Load Demo
Python & CircuitPython
CircuitPython Microcontroller Wiring
Python Computer Wiring
CircuitPython Installation of VEML6070 Library
Python Installation of VEML6070 Library
CircuitPython & Python Usage
Full Example Code
Downloads
Schematic
Fabrication Print
10
10
10
11
13
13
13
13
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14
15
16
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© Adafruit Industries
https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-veml6070-uv-light-sensor-breakout
Page 2 of 17
Overview
This little sensor is a great way to add UV light sensing to any microcontroller project. The VEML6070 from Vishay has
a true UV A light sensor and an I2C-controlled ADC that will take readings and integrate them for you over ~60ms to
500ms.
Unlike the
Si1145
(http://adafru.it/1777),
this sensor will not give you UV Index readings. However, the Si1145 does UV
Index approximations based on light level not true UV sensing. The VEML6070 in contrast does have a real light
sensor in the UV spectrum. It's also got a much much simpler I2C interface so you can run it on the smallest
microcontrollers with ease.
Unlike the
GUVA analog sensor
(http://adafru.it/1918),
the biasing and ADC is all internal so you don't need an ADC.
© Adafruit Industries
https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-veml6070-uv-light-sensor-breakout
Page 3 of 17
This UV sensor works great with 3 or 5V power or logic, its nice and compact, and its easy to use with any I2C-capable
microcontroller.
Each order comes with one assembled PCB with a sensor, some handy pullup resistors, a 270K rset resistor and a
small piece of header. Some light soldering is required to attach the header but its a fast task!
© Adafruit Industries
https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-veml6070-uv-light-sensor-breakout
Page 4 of 17
Pinouts
Power Pins:
Vin - this is the power pin. The sensor chip uses 3 to 5 VDC, so you can use it with just about any microcontroller.
To power the board, give it the same power as the logic level of your microcontroller - e.g. for a 5V micro like
Arduino, use 5V
GND - common ground for power and logic
I2C Pins
SCL - I2C clock pin, connect to your microcontrollers I2C clock line. This pin can be used with 3V or 5V logic, and
there's a 10K pullup on this pin.
SDA - I2C data pin, connect to your microcontrollers I2C data line. This pin can be used with 3V or 5V logic, and
there's a 10K pullup on this pin.
Other
ACK Pin - This is the interrupt/alert output. You can set up the sensor to warn you on overly high or low UV
signal. Logic level is the same as whatever you set Vin
© Adafruit Industries
https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-veml6070-uv-light-sensor-breakout
Page 5 of 17