BME280 Temperature, Humidity, and Barometric Pressure Sensor Module (5V I2C)

Specifications

• Sensor Chip: BME280

• PCB Color: Purple

• Measured Parameters: Temperature, Humidity, Barometric Pressure (Altitude)

• Interface: I2C (SCL, SDA pins)

• Power Supply (VIN): 3.3V to 5V (Onboard Regulator)

• Pin Count: 4 Pins

• Mounting: 1x Structural Mounting Hole

Key Applications and Projects

• Desktop Weather Stations: Combining the BME280 with an I2C OLED display and an Arduino to create a real-time, highly accurate indoor climate monitor.

• Drone and UAV Altimeters: Using the highly sensitive barometric pressure data to calculate rapid altitude changes for drone flight stabilization.

• Smart Home HVAC Control: Feeding room temperature and humidity data to Home Assistant via an ESP32 to trigger dehumidifiers or smart thermostats automatically.

Unlock New Capabilities (Project Evolution) The Solar-Powered IoT Weather Node: Take your environmental monitoring outside! Pair this 5V BME280 module with an ESP8266/ESP32, a small lithium battery, and a 5V solar charging circuit. Program the microcontroller to wake from deep sleep every 15 minutes, read the temperature, humidity, and pressure from the BME280, and post the data to a cloud dashboard like ThingSpeak via Wi-Fi. You now have a completely self-sustaining, remote weather station!

Downloads:

• BME280_Datasheet

PACKAGE INCLUDED

• 1 x BME280 Sensor Module

• 1 x 4-Pin Male Header Strip (Unsoldered)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

1. What exactly does this module measure? The BME280 is a combined digital sensor that accurately measures ambient temperature, relative humidity, and barometric pressure.

2. Can it measure altitude? Yes. Because barometric pressure drops at a highly predictable rate as you go higher, microcontrollers can use the pressure data from this sensor to calculate altitude very accurately.

3. What is the difference between BME280 and BMP280? The BME280 measures temperature, pressure, and humidity. The older BMP280 only measures temperature and pressure. While the silkscreen on this board says "BME/BMP280" to indicate a shared PCB layout, this specific product contains the BME280 chip.

4. What communication protocol does it use? The module uses the I2C protocol to communicate with your microcontroller, specifically utilizing the SCL (clock) and SDA (data) pins.

5. What is the operating voltage? Because this module is the 5V version, it features an onboard voltage regulator on the back of the PCB, allowing you to safely supply 5V to the VIN pin.

6. Which pin do I connect to my power supply? Connect your positive power supply (like the 5V pin on an Arduino) to the pin labeled VIN.

7. Which pin is for ground? Connect your system ground to the pin labeled GND.

8. Do I need to solder the header pins? Yes, the included 4-pin male header strip arrives unsoldered in the package. You will need a soldering iron to attach it to the board.

9. What does the sensor chip look like? The BME280 chip is the small, rectangular, silver metallic package mounted on the front of the board, which features a tiny vent hole on top to sample the air.

10. Is this sensor waterproof? No. The sensor chip has an exposed vent hole to allow air in for humidity and pressure sensing. Exposure to liquid water will damage the sensor.

11. What is the text "GYBMEP" on the back? "GYBMEP" is printed on the back silkscreen and is the specific manufacturer/model identifier for this PCB layout.

12. How do I mount this to an enclosure? The PCB features a single, large mounting hole located in the corner opposite the header pins, allowing you to secure it with a small screw or standoff.

13. What color is the circuit board? The module is manufactured on a distinctive purple printed circuit board.

14. What are the components on the back of the board for? The back of the board hosts surface-mount support components, including capacitors, a voltage regulator, and pull-up resistors (like the one marked "103") necessary for stable 5V operation and I2C communication.

15. Do I need external pull-up resistors for I2C? Generally, no. The module includes integrated surface-mount pull-up resistors on the back of the board for the SDA and SCL lines.

16. What is the default I2C address? The default I2C address for BME280 modules is typically 0x76 or 0x77, depending on how the manufacturer wired the internal SDO pin. Running an I2C scanner sketch will confirm the address.

17. Can I use this with an ESP32 or Raspberry Pi? Yes, both of those platforms support I2C communication and can easily interface with this sensor.

18. What libraries should I use in the Arduino IDE? The "Adafruit BME280 Library" is highly recommended, widely used, and available directly in the Arduino Library Manager.

19. Why does my temperature reading seem slightly high? If placed in a tight enclosure, the BME280 can pick up slight ambient heat generated by the microcontroller or the onboard voltage regulator. Ensure good airflow for accurate readings.

20. How many total pins are on this module? The board breaks out a total of four connections: VIN, GND, SCL, and SDA.