Qwiic Atmospheric Sensor (BME280) Hookup Guide

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Contributors: QCPete, santaimpersonator
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Introduction

The new Qwiic Atmospheric Sensor (BME280) is an updated board revision of our Atmospheric Sensor Breakout- BME280 to make it Qwiic compatible. The Qwiic connector system reduces the hassle of interfacing to the sensor via I2C, by utilizing polarized cables that are simple to use. The BME280 is great for measuring humidity, temperature, and barometric pressure.

SparkFun Atmospheric Sensor Breakout - BME280 (Qwiic)

SparkFun Atmospheric Sensor Breakout - BME280 (Qwiic)

SEN-15440
$16.50
2

In addition, we now provide a Python library for compatibility with single board computer (SBC) platforms like the Raspberry Pi boards. The Arduino library is shared from the preexisting hardware. The examples below, will demonstrate how to use the Qwiic Atmospheric Sensor with a RedBoard Qwiic; and a Raspberry Pi with the Qwiic pHAT (and additional accessories) utilizing the Qwiic connection system.

Don't forget to check out this great video of Rob playing his sparxophone thanks to the help of the BME280!

Required Materials

The Qwiic Atmospheric Sensor does need a few additional items for you to get started. The RedBoard Qwiic is for the Arduino examples and the Qwiic pHAT is for the Raspberry Pi example (see note below). You may already have a few of these items, so feel free to modify your cart based on your needs. Additionally, there are also options that are available as well (click button below to toggle options).

SparkFun Qwiic Cable Kit

SparkFun Qwiic Cable Kit

KIT-15081
$8.95
20
SparkFun RedBoard Qwiic

SparkFun RedBoard Qwiic

DEV-15123
$21.50
18

SparkFun Qwiic pHAT for Raspberry Pi

DEV-15351
Retired
Qwiic compatible microcontrollers:
SparkFun RedBoard Qwiic

SparkFun RedBoard Qwiic

DEV-15123
$21.50
18
SparkFun RedBoard Turbo - SAMD21 Development Board

SparkFun RedBoard Turbo - SAMD21 Development Board

DEV-14812
$19.95
8
SparkFun Thing Plus - SAMD51

SparkFun Thing Plus - SAMD51

DEV-14713
$21.50
2

SparkFun Thing Plus - ESP32 WROOM

WRL-14689
7 Retired
In addition we also offer, Qwiic compatible stackable shields for microcontrollers and pHATs for single board computers (like the Raspberry Pi boards) that don't include a Qwiic connector.
SparkFun Qwiic Adapter

SparkFun Qwiic Adapter

DEV-14495
$1.60
4
SparkFun Qwiic Shield for Arduino

SparkFun Qwiic Shield for Arduino

DEV-14352
$7.50
9

SparkFun Qwiic Shield for Photon

DEV-14477
Retired
SparkFun Qwiic HAT for Raspberry Pi

SparkFun Qwiic HAT for Raspberry Pi

DEV-14459
$6.50
5
SparkFun Qwiic SHIM for Raspberry Pi

SparkFun Qwiic SHIM for Raspberry Pi

DEV-15794
$1.05
13
SparkFun Servo pHAT for Raspberry Pi

SparkFun Servo pHAT for Raspberry Pi

DEV-15316
$11.95
5

SparkFun Qwiic pHAT for Raspberry Pi

DEV-15351
Retired
You will also need a Qwiic cable to connect to your BME280 Qwiic, choose a length that suits your needs.
Qwiic Cable - 50mm

Qwiic Cable - 50mm

PRT-14426
$0.95
Qwiic Cable - 100mm

Qwiic Cable - 100mm

PRT-14427
$1.50

Qwiic Cable - 500mm

PRT-14429
1 Retired

Qwiic Cable - 200mm

PRT-14428
Retired

Raspberry Pi Example: If you don't already have them, you will need a Raspberry Pi and standard peripherals. An example setup is listed below. (This sensor and the Python library have not been tested on the newly released Raspberry Pi 4 because we don't carry it in out catalog yet.)
Raspberry Pi 3 B+

Raspberry Pi 3 B+

DEV-14643
$35.00
39
Multimedia Wireless Keyboard

Multimedia Wireless Keyboard

WIG-14271
$29.95 $19.95
4
pi-topCEED (Green)

pi-topCEED (Green)

KIT-14035
$114.95 $99.95
4

SparkFun Noobs Card for Raspberry Pi (16GB)

COM-15052

Suggested Reading

If you're unfamiliar with jumper pads, I2C, Qwiic, or Python be sure to checkout some of these foundational tutorials. Also included, in this list, are past tutorials involving the BME280 sensor.

Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI)

SPI is commonly used to connect microcontrollers to peripherals such as sensors, shift registers, and SD cards.

Logic Levels

Learn the difference between 3.3V and 5V devices and logic levels.

I2C

An introduction to I2C, one of the main embedded communications protocols in use today.

How to Work with Jumper Pads and PCB Traces

Handling PCB jumper pads and traces is an essential skill. Learn how to cut a PCB trace, add a solder jumper between pads to reroute connections, and repair a trace with the green wire method if a trace is damaged.

Raspberry Pi SPI and I2C Tutorial

Learn how to use serial I2C and SPI buses on your Raspberry Pi using the wiringPi I/O library for C/C++ and spidev/smbus for Python.

Python Programming Tutorial: Getting Started with the Raspberry Pi

This guide will show you how to write programs on your Raspberry Pi using Python to control hardware.

Qwiic pHAT for Raspberry Pi Hookup Guide

Get started interfacing your Qwiic enabled boards with your Raspberry Pi. The Qwiic pHAT connects the I2C bus (GND, 3.3V, SDA, and SCL) on your Raspberry Pi to an array of Qwiic connectors.

SparkFun BME280 Breakout Hookup Guide

A guide for connecting the BME280 sensor to a microcontroller, and for using the SparkFun Arduino library.

CCS811/BME280 (Qwiic) Environmental Combo Breakout Hookup Guide

Sense various environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, eCO2 and tVOCs with the CCS811 and BME280 combo breakout board.

RedBoard Qwiic Hookup Guide

This tutorial covers the basic functionality of the RedBoard Qwiic. This tutorial also covers how to get started blinking an LED and using the Qwiic system.

Qwiic Connect System

The Qwiic Atmospheric Sensor utilizes the Qwiic connect system. We recommend familiarizing yourself with the Logic Levels and I2C tutorials before using it. Click on the banner above to learn more about our Qwiic products.