Nova PM Sensor SDS011 Air Quality Detection Sensor PM2.5

Specifications:

• Sensor Model: Nova Fitness SDS011
• Primary Measurement Parameters: PM2.5 and PM10 Mass Concentration
• Measurement Range: 0.0 to 999.9 µg/m³
• Particle Size Detection Range: 0.3 µm to 10 µm
• Relative Error: Maximum ±15% and ±10 µg/m³ at 25°C and 50% RH
• Response Time: Less than 1 second (continuous real-time mode)
• Operating Voltage: 5V DC (4.7V to 5.3V)
• Operating Current: 70mA ±10mA (active mode)
• Sleep Current: Less than 4mA
• Communication Interface: Digital UART TTL Level (3.3V Logic)
• Output Frequency: 1 Hz (1 reading per second)
• Operating Temperature Range: -10°C to +50°C
• Operating Humidity Range: Max 70% RH (Non-condensing)

Unlock New Capabilities

• Past Projects If you’ve already experimented with basic environmental sensors like the MQ-135 air quality module or the DHT11 temperature and humidity sensor, you already understand how to read analog and digital values into a microcontroller. You are perfectly ready to move beyond basic threshold detection and start capturing true micro-particle density data.
• Feature Upgrade This SDS011 sensor module unlocks professional, quantitative air quality monitoring for your IoT deployments. It enables you to build automated smart home air purifier controllers that ramp up fan speeds during high pollution spikes, localized outdoor PM2.5 weather logging stations, industrial HVAC filtration monitors, and automated dust detection alerts for sensitive laboratory environments. These are precise particulate measurements you simply cannot achieve with simple semiconductor gas sensors.
• Effort Level: Intermediate

Minimum hardware to get started:

• Arduino Uno, ESP32, or Raspberry Pi: to receive the 1 Hz serial UART packet stream and process PM2.5 and PM10 concentration values.
• 5V DC Dedicated Power Supply (500mA minimum): the internal diode laser and miniature fan motor draw up to 70mA during active measurement cycles and require a stable 5V supply to maintain laser calibration.
• USB-to-TTL Serial Converter (Included): allows you to plug the sensor directly into a PC or laptop via USB for instant testing with desktop monitoring software before writing micro-controller code.
• Female-to-Female Jumper Wires / 7-Pin Ribbon Cable (Included): to route power and serial data signals between the sensor and your host board.

Package Includes:

• 1 x Nova PM Sensor SDS011 Air Quality Detection Sensor PM2.5

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is the SDS011 sensor compatible with 3.3V microcontrollers like ESP32 and STM32?
  Yes, the sensor's UART communication pins operate natively at 3.3V TTL logic levels, making them safe to connect directly to 3.3V GPIOs.
• Can I connect the SDS011 directly to a Raspberry Pi?
  Yes, you can connect the sensor directly to the Raspberry Pi's GPIO UART pins (TX/RX) or use the included USB-to-TTL adapter module.
• Does the SDS011 work with 5V Arduino development boards?
  Yes, it communicates seamlessly over SoftwareSerial on 5V Arduino boards, though using a voltage divider or level shifter on the Arduino TX to SDS011 RX line is recommended for long-term safety.
• Can I plug the SDS011 directly into a PC or laptop?
  Yes, using the included USB-to-TTL serial adapter, you can plug the sensor into a USB port and read data using computer terminal software or Python.
• What voltage does the SDS011 sensor require to operate?
  The sensor requires a regulated 5V DC supply (4.7V to 5.3V) to power the internal laser diode and suction fan motor.
• Can I power the SDS011 directly from a 3.3V power pin?
  No, powering the sensor with 3.3V will fail to activate the internal fan and laser diode, resulting in zero data output.
• How much current does the SDS011 draw during active measurement?
  The sensor draws approximately 70mA during active continuous sampling, dropping to less than 4mA when placed into sleep mode.
• What are the key pins required to read data from the SDS011?
  You only need three connections for basic operation: 5V (VCC), GND, and the TX pin (to receive PM2.5 and PM10 serial data packets).
• What is the function of the internal fan on the SDS011 module?
  The miniature fan continuously draws ambient air through the measurement chamber so the laser light scattering optics can sample real-time particle density.
• Do I need an external pull-up resistor on the serial communication lines?
  No external pull-up resistors are required; the module's UART serial lines connect directly to your microcontroller's serial RX and TX pins.
• How is particle measurement data transmitted over serial UART?
  The sensor automatically sends a 10-byte binary packet every 1 second at a default baud rate of 9600 bps.
• What equations are used to extract PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations from the raw data packet?
  Concentration values (µg/m³) are calculated by combining the low and high bytes for each parameter and dividing the resulting integer by 10.0.
• Can I control the SDS011 fan lifespan using code commands?
  Yes, you can send serial AT/HEX commands to put the sensor into a sleep state or configure periodic working modes (e.g., sample for 30 seconds every 5 minutes) to extend fan motor life.
• Why is the SDS011 fan not spinning when power is applied?
  Check that your VCC power line is providing a full 5V DC with adequate current capacity (>100mA peak); 3.3V supplies will not start the fan.