SparkFun Ambient Light Sensor - VEML6030 (Qwiic)

Looking for an option to sense ambient light? The VEML6030 Qwiic board is a great starter option. The VEML6030 is a high accuracy ambient light sensor with 16-bit resolution. Even more impressive is that it can detect light similar to the human eye response. Utilizing our handy Qwiic system, no soldering is required to connect it to the rest of your system. However, we still have broken out 0.1"-spaced pins in case you prefer to use a breadboard.

The SparkFun Ambient Light Sensor reads ambient light in lux and boasts a number of nice features including: the ability to set high and low thresholds for an optional interrupt, power saving features that enable single digit micro-amp current draw, and a readable range from zero to 120,000 lux. We've also written an Arduino library that gives full access to all features and includes example code demonstrating all its abilities.

Note: The I2C address of the VEML6030 is 0x48 and is jumper selectable to 0x10. A multiplexer/Mux is required to communicate to multiple VEML6030 sensors on a single bus. If you need to use more than one VEML6030 sensor consider using the Qwiic Mux Breakout.


The SparkFun Qwiic Connect System is an ecosystem of I2C sensors, actuators, shields and cables that make prototyping faster and less prone to error. All Qwiic-enabled boards use a common 1mm pitch, 4-pin JST connector. This reduces the amount of required PCB space, and polarized connections mean you can’t hook it up wrong.


  • Floor life: 72h, MSL 4, according to J-STD-020
  • Low stand by current consumption: typically 0.5uA
  • Configurable I2C address (Default: 0x48)
  • Removable pull-up resistors
  • Removable power LED
  • Qwiic Connectors

SparkFun Ambient Light Sensor - VEML6030 (Qwiic) Product Help and Resources

SparkFun Arduino UNO R4 WiFi Qwiic Kit Hookup Guide

July 11, 2023

The SparkFun Arduino UNO R4 WiFi Qwiic Kit is a great way to get started with Arduino and the Qwiic-connect system - use this guide to get started!

Qwiic Ambient Light Sensor (VEML6030) Hookup Guide

July 18, 2019

The VEML6030 is a high accuracy ambient light sensor with 16-bit resolution. This I2C sensor can detect light similar to the human eye response. Start detecting light levels in your environment!

Core Skill: Programming

If a board needs code or communicates somehow, you're going to need to know how to program or interface with it. The programming skill is all about communication and code.

3 Programming

Skill Level: Competent - The toolchain for programming is a bit more complex and will examples may not be explicitly provided for you. You will be required to have a fundamental knowledge of programming and be required to provide your own code. You may need to modify existing libraries or code to work with your specific hardware. Sensor and hardware interfaces will be SPI or I2C.
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Core Skill: Electrical Prototyping

If it requires power, you need to know how much, what all the pins do, and how to hook it up. You may need to reference datasheets, schematics, and know the ins and outs of electronics.

2 Electrical Prototyping

Skill Level: Rookie - You may be required to know a bit more about the component, such as orientation, or how to hook it up, in addition to power requirements. You will need to understand polarized components.
See all skill levels


Comments

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  • Member #1667976 / about 2 years ago / 1

    What is the frequency response - or - rise time - or integration time for this sensor? I don't see it in the datasheet

  • Member #1588266 / about 4 years ago * / 1

    Hello, in the forum sparkfun https://forum.sparkfun.com I can't submit or preview what I wrote. When I submit or preview in https://forum.sparkfun.com/posting.php?mode=reply&f=74&t=52535 a webpage with 403 forbidden appears

    Can you help me on this ?

  • Member #1588266 / about 4 years ago / 1

    Hello, is the sparkfun ambient ligth sensor -VEML6030 compatible with the arduino due ? Thanks

    • santaimpersonator / about 4 years ago / 1

      Hi there, it sounds like you are looking for technical assistance. Please use the link in the banner above, to get started with posting a topic in our forums. Our technical support team will do their best to assist you.

      That being said, I don't see any initial compatibility issues in the wire library. However, I don't think it has been tested with a Due. Otherwise, make sure you are using the appropriate pins when using the sensor (I don't think a logic level converter is needed as I remember the Due being a 3.3V board).

  • Member #1540239 / about 4 years ago / 1

    Hi, I cannot access the schematics. is there any other place that I can find them?

    • Elias The Sparkiest / about 4 years ago / 1

      I'm not sure what keeps happening to my schematic, but hopefully this will be the last time it's fixed. Happy Hacking =).

  • Member #1306298 / about 4 years ago / 1

    The link to the data sheet also gives a 404.

    • Elias The Sparkiest / about 4 years ago / 1

      We've been having some server issues. The link is fixed, sorry about the delay.

  • Member #1520986 / about 4 years ago / 1

    Hi, it looks like the schematic redirects to a 404 Page Not Found... can we access the schematic somewhere else?

    • Elias The Sparkiest / about 4 years ago / 1

      Fixed! I'm not quite sure what happened to the old link....

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