INA219 Bi-Directional DC Current Sensor Power Supply Module

The INA219 Bi-Directional DC Current Sensor Power Supply Module is a high-precision current, voltage, and power monitoring module based on the Texas Instruments INA219 current shunt and power monitor IC. It is capable of measuring bidirectional DC current, bus voltage, shunt voltage, and calculating power consumption in real time through the I²C communication interface.

The module features a built-in precision 0.1Ω current shunt resistor, making it suitable for monitoring battery charging/discharging, power supplies, solar systems, Arduino projects, ESP32, Raspberry Pi, robotics, and other embedded applications. Its ability to measure current flowing in both directions makes it ideal for battery management systems and energy monitoring applications.

Operating from a wide supply voltage range, the INA219 provides accurate measurements while consuming very little power, making it an excellent choice for portable and battery-powered devices.

Key Features

• Based on the Texas Instruments INA219 IC
• Measures DC Current, Bus Voltage, and Power
• Bi-Directional Current Measurement
• High-Precision Current Monitoring
• Built-in Precision 0.1Ω Shunt Resistor
• I²C Digital Communication Interface
• Programmable Calibration and Gain
• Compatible with Arduino, ESP32, Raspberry Pi, STM32, and Other Microcontrollers
• Low Power Consumption
• Compact PCB for Easy Integration

Technical Specifications

• Product Type: DC Current and Power Sensor Module
• Sensor IC: INA219
• Communication Interface: I²C
• Operating Voltage: 3V to 5.5V DC
• Bus Voltage Measurement Range: 0V to 26V DC
• Maximum Measurable Current: ±3.2A (with the onboard 0.1Ω shunt resistor)
• Shunt Resistor: 0.1Ω Precision Resistor
• Current Resolution: Up to 0.8mA (depending on calibration)
• Power Measurement: Yes
• Shunt Voltage Measurement: Yes
• ADC Resolution: 12-bit
• I²C Address: 0x40 (Default, configurable)
• Operating Temperature: -40°C to +85°C
• Mounting Type: Through-Hole Pin Header

Pin Configuration

I²C Interface

• VCC – Power Supply (3V–5.5V)
• GND – Ground
• SDA – I²C Data Line
• SCL – I²C Clock Line

Measurement Terminals

• VIN+ – Positive Input from Power Source
• VIN− – Output to Load

Working Principle

The INA219 measures the small voltage drop across its built-in precision shunt resistor. Using this value along with the measured bus voltage, the internal circuitry accurately calculates:

• DC Current
• Bus Voltage
• Shunt Voltage
• Electrical Power

The measured values are transmitted digitally through the I²C interface, allowing a microcontroller to monitor power consumption in real time.

Because the module supports bidirectional current sensing, it can detect both charging and discharging currents, making it ideal for battery monitoring applications.

Applications

• Arduino Projects
• ESP32 and ESP8266 Projects
• Raspberry Pi Projects
• Battery Monitoring Systems
• Battery Charging and Discharging Measurement
• Solar Power Systems
• DC Power Supply Monitoring
• Robotics and Automation
• Portable Electronic Devices
• IoT Energy Monitoring Systems
• Laboratory Power Measurement
• Embedded System Development

Advantages

• High measurement accuracy
• Measures voltage, current, and power simultaneously
• Supports bidirectional current sensing
• Digital I²C interface reduces analog noise
• Easy integration with popular microcontrollers
• Low power consumption
• Compact and lightweight module
• Ideal for battery-powered applications

Usage Tips

• Connect the module in series with the load for accurate current measurement.
• Ensure the measured current does not exceed ±3.2A when using the onboard shunt resistor.
• Use proper I²C pull-up resistors if required by your system.
• Verify the I²C address before connecting multiple INA219 modules.
• Use appropriate Arduino or ESP32 libraries for simplified programming.
• Avoid reverse voltage connections to prevent module damage.

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