Adafruit
PM2.5 Air Quality Sensor with I2C Interface - PMSA003I
The PMSA003I is a compact particulate matter sensor that measures PM1.0, PM2.5, and PM10.0 concentrations using laser scattering. Unlike most PM sensors that...
The PMSA003I is a compact particulate matter sensor that measures PM1.0, PM2.5, and PM10.0 concentrations using laser scattering. Unlike most PM sensors that use UART, this version features an I2C interface, making it straightforward to use with Arduino, Raspberry Pi, and other microcontrollers without needing software serial.
This is the bare sensor module, designed to plug into a 2×5 0.05" pitch SMT connector. One connector is included for soldering thin wires if you don't want to design a full PCB. The I2C data stream updates once per second.
Key Features
- I2C Interface – Simpler integration than UART-based PM sensors
- Laser Scattering Detection – Accurate particulate matter measurement
- Multi-Size Particle Data – Reports PM1.0, PM2.5, and PM10.0 concentrations
- Particle Size Bins – Counts per 0.1L in 0.3, 0.5, 1.0, 2.5, 5.0, and 10 µm categories
- 1-Second Update Rate – Continuous real-time air quality data
Specifications
- Sensor – PMSA003I
- Interface – I2C (3.3V logic)
- Power Supply – 5V
- Connector – 2×5 0.05" pitch (10-pin)
- Measurements – PM1.0, PM2.5, PM10.0 (standard and environmental units)
- Update Rate – 1 second
Ideal For
- Indoor and outdoor air quality monitoring
- Environmental sensing stations
- Raspberry Pi and Arduino air quality projects
- Dust and particulate detection
Package Contents
- 1× PMSA003I sensor module (assembled)
- 1× 2×5 10-pin 0.05" pitch header
Resources
Jargon buster
Plain-language definitions for the technical terms used above.
- 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.
- Matter
- A smart home connectivity standard designed to let devices work across different ecosystems. It matters if you want a project to integrate more easily with platforms such as Apple Home, Google Home, or other Matter-compatible systems.
- particulate matter
- Particulate matter means tiny particles suspended in the air, such as dust, smoke, pollen, or pollution. A sensor that measures it is useful for air-quality projects because particle levels can affect comfort and health.
- PCB
- A printed circuit board is a rigid board with copper tracks that connect electronic parts without loose wires. For this kit, the PCBs also form the airplane shape, so they are both the circuit base and part of the finished model.
- PM1.0
- PM1.0 refers to airborne particles with a diameter of about 1 micrometre or smaller. This size category matters because smaller particles can stay airborne longer and may come from sources such as smoke or combustion.
- PM10
- PM10 refers to airborne particles with a diameter of about 10 micrometres or smaller. It includes larger dust and pollen-like particles, so it is useful for detecting coarser airborne pollution.
- PM2.5
- PM2.5 refers to airborne particles with a diameter of about 2.5 micrometres or smaller. It is a common air-quality measurement because these fine particles can be breathed deep into the lungs.
- UART
- UART is a simple serial connection that sends data over separate transmit and receive wires, often labelled TX and RX. It matters because this module is designed to replace a wired UART cable with a wireless link while keeping the same serial data format.
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