Adafruit
Adafruit EMC2101 I2C PC Fan Controller and Temperature Sensor - STEMMA QT / Qwiic
The Adafruit EMC2101 breakout is an I2C fan controller and temperature sensor that makes it easy to integrate 3-pin or 4-pin PC fans into your projects. The ...
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The Adafruit EMC2101 breakout is an I2C fan controller and temperature sensor that makes it easy to integrate 3-pin or 4-pin PC fans into your projects. The Microchip/SMSC EMC2101 handles PWM speed control and tachometer monitoring over I2C, so you don't need to dedicate PWM outputs or counter inputs on your microcontroller.
In addition to fan control, the EMC2101 includes an internal temperature sensor and support for an external temperature-sensing diode. With the external sensor connected, you can configure a look-up table (LUT) that automatically adjusts fan speed based on temperature — fully autonomous thermal management without any code running on your microcontroller.
Key Features
- PWM Fan Control – Programmable PWM output for 3-pin and 4-pin PC fans
- Tachometer Input – Monitor fan RPM to verify the fan is running as expected
- Internal Temperature Sensor – Built-in temperature monitoring with ±1°C accuracy
- External Temperature Input – Connect an external sensing diode for remote temperature measurement
- Automatic Fan Speed LUT – Configure temperature-to-speed mappings for autonomous thermal management
- I2C Interface – Simple two-wire communication for control and monitoring
- STEMMA QT / Qwiic – Dual I2C connectors for solderless daisy-chaining
- 3.3V and 5V Compatible – On-board voltage regulator and 5V-tolerant pins
Ideal For
- Adding cooling fans to electronics enclosures
- Automated thermal management for 3D printers, servers, or custom builds
- Quieting noisy equipment by reducing fan speed when cooling demand is low
- Environmental monitoring with temperature-triggered ventilation
Package Contents
- 1× Adafruit EMC2101 I2C PC Fan Controller and Temperature Sensor – STEMMA QT
Jargon buster
Plain-language definitions for the technical terms used above.
- 5V-tolerant
- 5V-tolerant means an input pin can safely accept a 5V logic signal even if the device itself runs at a lower voltage such as 3.3V. Such inputs can be wired directly to 5V microcontroller boards with less risk of damage.
- breakout
- A breakout board carries a small or fine-pitched component and brings its connections out to standard, breadboard- and header-friendly pins. Describing a part as a breakout means it can be wired into a project without soldering directly to the component's tiny 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.
- microcontroller
- A microcontroller is a small computer on a single chip that runs a stored program and controls connected inputs and outputs such as buttons, sensors, displays and communication interfaces. In a device built around one, it is the part that executes the code and coordinates the device's behaviour.
- PWM
- Pulse Width Modulation is a way for a digital pin to simulate variable output power by switching on and off very quickly. It matters for controlling things like LED brightness, motor speed, or servo-style signals from a microcontroller pin.
- Qwiic
- Qwiic is a plug-in connector system for I2C devices that uses small 4-pin cables, so you can connect compatible sensors without soldering. It matters because your controller or adapter also needs Qwiic, or you will need a cable or breakout to wire it up.
- STEMMA
- A plug-and-cable connection system used on some maker electronics boards to make wiring simpler. If a product uses STEMMA, you need the matching cable or connector type to plug it in without soldering.
- STEMMA QT
- A small plug-in connector system for I2C boards that lets you connect compatible sensors and controllers without soldering. It matters because it can make wiring faster and less error-prone, especially when adding several small modules to a project.
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