ACS712 Low Current Sensor Hookup Guide

This Tutorial is Retired!

Note: This tutorial is for the ACS712 Current Sensor Breakout Boards. If you are using either of the newer ACS723 Breakout Boards, please refer to the new Current Sensor Breakout (ACS723) Hookup Guide.

View the updated tutorial: Current Sensor Breakout (ACS723) Hookup Guide

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Contributors: AGlass0fMilk

Resources and Going Further

The ACS712 sensor is ideal if you need to measure a small to moderate amount of current, especially if it's AC current! For more information about the ACS712, check out the links below:

If you don't need electrical isolation and want to measure smaller currents, check out the INA169 Breakout Board. And for even higher power applications, check out the Non-Invasive Current Sensor - 30A.

SparkFun Current Sensor Breakout - INA169

SEN-12040
$13.93

Non-Invasive Current Sensor - 30A

SEN-11005
$15.95

For more power related learning, check out the tutorials below:

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Powering LilyPad LED Projects

Learn how to calculate how many LEDs your LilyPad project can power and how long it will last.

Single Supply Logic Level Converter Hookup Guide

The Single Supply Logic Converter allows you to bi-directionally translate signals from a 5V or 3.3V microcontroller without the need for a second power supply! The board provides an output for both 5V and 3.3V to power your sensors. It is equipped with a PTH resistor footprint for the option to adjust the voltage regulator on the low side of the TXB0104 for 2.5V or 1.8V devices.