Little Bird
Automation HAT
The Automation HAT is a versatile home monitoring and automation controller for Raspberry Pi. With relays, analog channels, powered outputs, and buffered inp...
The Automation HAT is a versatile home monitoring and automation controller for Raspberry Pi. With relays, analog channels, powered outputs, and buffered inputs — all 24V tolerant — you can connect a wide range of sensors, motors, and actuators to a single board.
Each channel has indicator LEDs so you can see the state of your setup at a glance. The analog channels even have dimming LEDs that reflect the current sensor value. A Python library with examples makes it quick to get started.
Key Features
- 3× 24V @ 2A Relays – NC and NO terminals for switching high-side loads
- 3× 12-bit ADC (0–24V) – ±2% accuracy for analog sensor readings
- 1× 12-bit ADC (0–3.3V) – For lower-voltage analog inputs
- 3× Buffered Inputs – 24V tolerant digital inputs
- 3× Sinking Outputs – 24V tolerant, up to 500 mA total across all three
- 15× Channel Indicator LEDs – Plus power, comms, and warning LEDs
- 3.5 mm Screw Terminals – Secure, tool-friendly connections
- Breakout Pins – SPI, TX (#14), RX (#15), and #25 broken out
- Python Library – Simple API with input, output, and relay examples
- Fully Assembled – Broken-out pins require soldering
Compatibility
- Raspberry Pi 3B+, 3, 2, B+, A+, Zero, and Zero W
Important Notes
- Use brass M2.5 standoffs to prevent pins contacting the HDMI port if the HAT is pushed down
- Buffered outputs switch on the ground side: 12/24V (supply) → load → output terminal → ground (supply)
- Relays should be switched on the high side (up to 2A each)
- Sinking outputs share a 500 mA total budget — a single channel can use the full 500 mA
- Software does not support Raspbian Wheezy
Ideal For
- Smart home and building automation
- Greenhouse monitoring and automated irrigation
- Industrial sensor and relay control
- Aquarium and pet feeding automation
Resources
Jargon buster
Plain-language definitions for the technical terms used above.
- ADC
- An analogue-to-digital converter reads a changing voltage and turns it into a number the microcontroller can use. It matters when connecting analogue sensors such as light, sound, or variable-resistor sensors.
- API
- An API is a software interface that lets a program control hardware or features provided by the operating system. In this product, API support matters if you want your software to adjust display settings such as brightness or contrast automatically.
- 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.
- HDMI
- HDMI is a common digital video and audio connection used by computers, media players, and many displays. If a display kit has HDMI input, it is usually much easier to test with a single-board computer because it can act like a normal monitor.
- M2.5
- A metric screw thread size with a 2.5 mm nominal diameter. It matters for mounting because screws, standoffs, and holes must use the same size to fit securely without damaging the board.
- SPI
- A fast serial communication bus often used for displays, memory cards, and sensors. It matters because SPI devices need specific pins for clock and data, plus a separate chip-select line for each device.
Find this product in
Brands
Raspberry Pi
Related Tutorials
Free guides on learn.littlebird.com.au
