Adafruit
Adafruit DS3231 Precision RTC Breakout
The Adafruit DS3231 Precision RTC is a highly accurate I2C real-time clock breakout with an integrated temperature-compensated crystal oscillator (TCXO). Unl...
The Adafruit DS3231 Precision RTC is a highly accurate I2C real-time clock breakout with an integrated temperature-compensated crystal oscillator (TCXO). Unlike standard RTCs that rely on an external 32 kHz crystal, the DS3231 houses the crystal internally alongside a temperature sensor that continuously compensates for frequency drift, delivering accuracy of ±2 ppm (about ±1 minute per year).
With a CR1220 coin cell on the back, the DS3231 maintains precise timekeeping for years even when main power is lost — ideal for data logging, clocks, and any project where reliable time is critical.
Key Features
- Integrated TCXO – On-chip crystal and temperature sensor for automatic drift compensation
- ±2 ppm Accuracy – Approximately ±1 minute per year, far superior to standard RTCs
- Battery Backup – CR1220 coin cell holder on board for uninterrupted timekeeping during power loss
- I2C Interface – Simple two-wire communication with standard I2C addressing
- Low Power – Minimal current draw in battery-backup mode
- Breadboard-Friendly – Compact breakout with included header strip
Also Available
- DS3231 Precision RTC – STEMMA QT version (solderless I2C connectors)
- DS1307 RTC Breakout (basic, lower cost)
- PCF8523 RTC Breakout (3.3V compatible)
Ideal For
- Precision data logging with accurate timestamps
- Clocks and timers requiring minimal drift
- IoT devices needing reliable timekeeping through power cycles
- Projects where an external crystal's temperature sensitivity is unacceptable
Package Contents
- 1× Adafruit DS3231 Precision RTC Breakout (fully assembled and tested)
- 1× Header strip
Jargon buster
Plain-language definitions for the technical terms used above.
- breakout
- A breakout is a small circuit board that makes a tiny or hard-to-solder component easier to connect to with standard pins. It matters because this OLED module can be wired into a microcontroller project without needing to solder directly to the display’s fine contacts.
- I2C
- I2C is a two-wire communication bus used by many sensors and small modules. It matters because several I2C devices can share the same two wires, but each device needs a compatible address and your controller must support I2C.
- IoT
- Short for Internet of Things, meaning physical devices that connect to networks or the internet to send data or be controlled remotely. It matters if you want projects such as connected sensors, remote controls or classroom data-logging activities.
- ppm
- ppm means parts per million, a common way to express very small gas concentrations in air. For CO₂ sensors, the ppm range tells you what levels the sensor can measure, such as normal indoor air through to poorly ventilated spaces.
- RTC
- A Real-Time Clock keeps track of time even when the main processor is asleep or powered down, usually with a small backup battery. It matters for data logging and tracking projects that need accurate timestamps.
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