How to Use Adafruit Push-button Power Switch Breakout: Examples, Pinouts, and Specs

The Adafruit Push-button Power Switch Breakout (Manufacturer Part ID: 1400) is a compact and efficient solution for controlling power to your electronic projects with a simple push-button interface. This breakout board uses a low-power MOSFET to switch high currents, making it ideal for battery-powered or low-power applications. It also features a built-in LED indicator to provide a clear visual cue of the power status.

• Power control for battery-operated devices
• On/off control for microcontroller-based projects
• Low-power switching for portable electronics
• Projects requiring a simple and reliable power toggle mechanism

The following table outlines the key technical details of the Adafruit Push-button Power Switch Breakout:

The breakout board has the following pin layout:

1. Connect Power Input: Connect your power source (1.8V to 6V DC) to the VIN pin and the ground of your power source to the GND pin.
2. Connect the Load: Attach the device or circuit you want to power to the VOUT pin and its ground to the GND pin.
3. Toggle Power: Use the onboard push-button to toggle the power on and off. The built-in LED will light up when the power is on.
4. Optional External Button: If you want to use an external push-button, connect it to the BTN pin and ground. Pressing the external button will toggle the power.
5. Optional Enable Pin: The EN pin can be used to control the power state programmatically. Pulling this pin low will turn off the power, while leaving it floating or pulling it high will enable the power.

• Ensure that the input voltage does not exceed 6V DC to avoid damaging the board.
• The maximum current draw should not exceed 3A to maintain safe operation.
• Use proper decoupling capacitors on the input and output if your load is sensitive to voltage fluctuations.
• If using an external button, ensure it is a momentary push-button for proper operation.
• Avoid shorting the VIN and VOUT pins, as this may damage the MOSFET.

The Adafruit Push-button Power Switch Breakout can be used to control power to an Arduino UNO. Below is an example of how to connect and use the breakout board:

1. Connect the VIN pin to a 5V power source.
2. Connect the VOUT pin to the Arduino UNO's VIN pin.
3. Connect the GND pin to the Arduino UNO's GND pin.
4. Optionally, connect a momentary push-button to the BTN pin and ground.

The following Arduino code demonstrates how to use the EN pin to programmatically control the power state:

#define EN_PIN 7  // Connect the EN pin of the breakout to Arduino pin 7

void setup() {
  pinMode(EN_PIN, OUTPUT);  // Set EN pin as an output
  digitalWrite(EN_PIN, HIGH);  // Enable power (HIGH = ON)
  delay(5000);  // Keep power on for 5 seconds
  digitalWrite(EN_PIN, LOW);  // Disable power (LOW = OFF)
}

void loop() {
  // The loop is empty as this example only demonstrates toggling power
}

1. The power does not toggle when pressing the button:

   • Ensure the input voltage is within the specified range (1.8V to 6V DC).
   • Check the connections to the VIN, VOUT, and GND pins.
   • Verify that the onboard push-button or external button is functioning properly.

2. The LED does not light up when power is on:

   • Confirm that the load is connected correctly to the VOUT pin.
   • Check if the LED is damaged or if the input voltage is too low.

3. The board overheats during operation:

   • Ensure the current draw of the load does not exceed 3A.
   • Verify that there are no short circuits between VIN and VOUT.

4. The external button does not work:

   • Make sure the external button is a momentary push-button.
   • Check the connection between the BTN pin and ground.

• Can I use this board with a 12V power source? No, the maximum input voltage is 6V DC. Using a higher voltage may damage the board.

• Can I use this board to control AC power? No, this board is designed for DC power only. Do not use it with AC power sources.

• What happens if I pull the EN pin low? Pulling the EN pin low will disable the power output, effectively turning off the connected load.

• Is the onboard LED removable? The onboard LED is soldered to the board and is not designed to be removed. However, you can ignore it if you do not need a visual power indicator.

This concludes the documentation for the Adafruit Push-button Power Switch Breakout. For further assistance, refer to the official Adafruit Industries website or community forums.