TPL5110 Nano Power Timer Hookup Guide

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Contributors: Elias The Sparkiest
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Introduction

The TPL5110 Nano Power Timer is ideal for applications that require low power, and especially those projects that are running off of a LiPo battery. The Nano Power Timer will turn on your project, most likely a microcontroller, after the set amount of time, continuously. When your microcontroller has completed whatever needs doing, sampling air quality for example, it can then signal back to the Nano Power Timer to turn it off. While the project is off, the Nano Power Timer will only consume 35nA of power until the timer turns the project back on again. In this tutorial, we'll discuss how the time is set with the on board six DIP switch and use a microcontroller to turn it off when a task is finished.

SparkFun Nano Power Timer - TPL5110

SparkFun Nano Power Timer - TPL5110

PRT-15353
$6.95
2

Required Materials

To follow along with this tutorial, you will need the following materials. You may not need everything though depending on what you have. For example, I chose the RedBoard as a simple demo, but you could use any microcontroller. Add it to your cart, read through the guide, and adjust the cart as necessary.

Lithium Ion Battery - 400mAh

Lithium Ion Battery - 400mAh

PRT-13851
$5.50
11
Jumper Wires - Connected 6" (M/M, 20 pack)

Jumper Wires - Connected 6" (M/M, 20 pack)

PRT-12795
$2.10
2
Break Away Headers - Straight

Break Away Headers - Straight

PRT-00116
$1.75
20
SparkFun RedBoard Turbo - SAMD21 Development Board

SparkFun RedBoard Turbo - SAMD21 Development Board

DEV-14812
$19.95
8
Breadboard - Mini Modular (White)

Breadboard - Mini Modular (White)

PRT-12043
$4.50

SparkFun Traveler microB Cable - 1m

CAB-14741
Retired

Tools

You will need a soldering iron, solder, general soldering accessories, and a diagonal cutter.

Soldering Iron - 60W (Adjustable Temperature)

Soldering Iron - 60W (Adjustable Temperature)

TOL-14456
$16.50
16
Solder Lead Free - 15-gram Tube

Solder Lead Free - 15-gram Tube

TOL-09163
$3.95
4

Suggested Reading

If you aren’t familiar with the following concepts, we recommend checking out these tutorials before continuing.

Pull-up Resistors

A quick introduction to pull-up resistors - whey they're important, and how/when to use them.

How to Solder: Through-Hole Soldering

This tutorial covers everything you need to know about through-hole soldering.

How to Power a Project

A tutorial to help figure out the power requirements of your project.

Button and Switch Basics

A tutorial on electronics' most overlooked and underappreciated component: the switch! Here we explain the difference between momentary and maintained switches and what all those acronyms (NO, NC, SPDT, SPST, ...) stand for.