How to Use Gravity: ENS160 Air Quality Sensor: Examples, Pinouts, and Specs

The Gravity: ENS160 Air Quality Sensor, manufactured by DFRobot, is a digital sensor designed to measure air quality by detecting various gases and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the environment. It provides accurate and reliable data, making it ideal for applications such as indoor air quality monitoring, HVAC systems, and smart home devices.

1. Power Supply: Connect the VCC pin to a 3.3V or 5V power supply and the GND pin to the ground.
2. I2C Communication: Connect the SDA pin to the SDA pin on your microcontroller (e.g., Arduino UNO) and the SCL pin to the SCL pin on your microcontroller.
3. Pull-up Resistors: Ensure that the I2C lines (SDA and SCL) have pull-up resistors (typically 4.7kΩ) if they are not already present on your microcontroller.

• Power Supply: Ensure a stable power supply to avoid fluctuations that could affect sensor readings.
• I2C Address: The default I2C address is 0x53. Ensure no other devices on the same I2C bus have the same address.
• Calibration: Allow the sensor to warm up for a few minutes after powering on to ensure accurate readings.
• Environmental Factors: Place the sensor in an area representative of the air quality you wish to measure, avoiding direct exposure to contaminants or extreme conditions.

Below is a sample code to interface the Gravity: ENS160 Air Quality Sensor with an Arduino UNO:

#include <Wire.h>

// I2C address of the ENS160 sensor
#define ENS160_ADDRESS 0x53

void setup() {
  // Initialize serial communication at 9600 baud rate
  Serial.begin(9600);
  
  // Initialize I2C communication
  Wire.begin();
  
  // Initialize the ENS160 sensor
  initENS160();
}

void loop() {
  // Read air quality data from the sensor
  int airQuality = readAirQuality();
  
  // Print the air quality data to the serial monitor
  Serial.print("Air Quality: ");
  Serial.println(airQuality);
  
  // Wait for 1 second before the next reading
  delay(1000);
}

void initENS160() {
  // Send initialization commands to the ENS160 sensor
  Wire.beginTransmission(ENS160_ADDRESS);
  Wire.write(0x00); // Example command to initialize the sensor
  Wire.endTransmission();
}

int readAirQuality() {
  int airQuality = 0;
  
  // Request air quality data from the ENS160 sensor
  Wire.beginTransmission(ENS160_ADDRESS);
  Wire.write(0x01); // Example command to read air quality data
  Wire.endTransmission();
  
  // Read the data from the sensor
  Wire.requestFrom(ENS160_ADDRESS, 2);
  if (Wire.available() == 2) {
    airQuality = Wire.read() << 8 | Wire.read();
  }
  
  return airQuality;
}

1. No Data Output: Ensure that the sensor is properly connected to the power supply and I2C lines. Check for loose connections.
2. Incorrect Readings: Allow the sensor to warm up for a few minutes. Ensure that the sensor is placed in a representative environment.
3. I2C Communication Errors: Verify the I2C address and ensure no address conflicts on the bus. Check for proper pull-up resistors on the I2C lines.

• Check Connections: Double-check all wiring connections to ensure they are secure and correct.
• Power Supply: Use a stable power supply to avoid fluctuations that could affect sensor performance.
• I2C Address: Ensure the correct I2C address is used in the code. Use an I2C scanner sketch to detect the sensor's address if unsure.
• Sensor Placement: Place the sensor in an area free from direct exposure to contaminants or extreme conditions for accurate readings.

By following this documentation, users can effectively integrate and utilize the Gravity: ENS160 Air Quality Sensor in their projects, ensuring accurate and reliable air quality measurements.