Product description
Digital light sensor for measuring ambient light, infrared light (IR) and ultraviolet light (UVA). The module from Adafruit is based on the TSL2585 and combines three light-sensing channels in a compact sensor with an I²C interface. The UVA channel is sensitive to wavelengths between 315 and 400 nm, making the sensor suitable for applications such as monitoring outdoor light, UV curing lamps, blacklights and UV lamps for reptiles.
The TSL2585 has separate channels for UVA, infrared light and visible light, with spectral sensitivity matched to the human eye's response to light. The sensor features 20-bit resolution, low-noise analog signal processing and automatic gain control with up to 4096x gain. The integration time can be adjusted to adapt measurements to different lighting conditions. The sensor can detect light levels as low as 1 millilux and also supports light flicker detection.
Note that the sensor is not calibrated to directly measure illuminance in lux. Measurements from the ambient light channel are provided as digital counts. The UVA channel is factory-calibrated for corrected count values but does not provide direct measurements in µW/cm².
The module communicates via I²C at speeds up to 1 MHz and features two Qwiic-compatible connectors, allowing the sensor to be connected without soldering. The sensor IC normally uses 1.8 V for power and logic, but Adafruit's module is adapted for connection to microcontrollers via Qwiic. Adafruit provides libraries and examples for Arduino and CircuitPython/Python.
Specifications:
- Manufacturer: Adafruit
- Product number: 6524
- Sensor IC: TSL2585, AMS Osram
- Sensor type: Digital light sensor for UVA, IR and ambient light
- UVA wavelength range: 315–400 nm
- Light sensitivity: Down to 1 millilux
- Resolution: 20 bits
- Gain: Automatic, up to 4096x
- Integration time: Adjustable
- Number of modulators: 3
- Sampling frequency: Up to 14 kHz
- Flicker detection: Yes
- Interface: I²C
- Supply and logic voltage: 3.3 or 5 V
- I²C clock frequency (max): 1 MHz
- Connections: 2x Qwiic
- Operating temperature: -30 to +85 °C
- Sensor IC dimensions: 2.0 x 1.0 x 0.35 mm
- Module dimensions: 25.5 x 18.0 x 5.0 mm
- Pin header: Included (not pre-soldered)
