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SparkFun Qwiic PIR Starter Kit (170µA)

The SparkFun Qwiic PIR Starter Kit (170µA) comes with just the basics of what you need to get started working with passive infrared (PIR) sensors. Passive Infrared (PIR) sensors are great for detecting motion in a small area around the sensor. The 1µA SparkFun EKMC4607112K Qwiic PIR uses an EKM-series PIR sensor from Panasonic® paired with an ATTiny84 to interact with it using I2C with the Qwiic system. The EKMB-series PIR sensors are optimized for small movements to offer motion-sensing options for battery powered applications and continuously powered applications.

PIR sensors do not return specific distance data but instead monitor for IR light coming from objects in their field of view and will activate their signal when motion is detected in their sensing area, making them perfect for applications such as turning devices on automatically when motion is detected. Applications include home and building automation for energy saving, automated on/off lighting control, security, appliances, and IoT.

Panasonic's low-profile PIR motion sensors (10.9mm versus standard 14.4mm height offer space savings for constrained designs) consist of a lens to create various detection zones, an optical filter to block non-infrared light, pyroelectric sensing elements, electromagnetic shielding to all circuitry, and an impedance converter to get an electrical signal. This PIR sensor offers digital output across 32 zones at 5m detection distance with 90° x 90° detection area.

Also included in this kit is a SparkFun RedBoard Qwiic to drive your PIR sensor. The SparkFun RedBoard Qwiic can be programmed over a USB Micro-B cable (included) using the Arduino IDE: Just plug in the board, select "Arduino UNO" from the board menu and you're ready to upload code. To hookup your PIR sensor to your RedBoard we have included a 100mm length Qwiic cable.

Note: The sensitivity of passive infrared sensors is influenced by environmental conditions, so a performance evaluation test under representative conditions is recommended.


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.


SparkFun Qwiic PIR Starter Kit (170µA) Product Help and Resources

RedBoard Qwiic Hookup Guide

January 10, 2019

This tutorial covers the basic functionality of the RedBoard Qwiic. This tutorial also covers how to get started blinking an LED and using the Qwiic system.

Qwiic PIR Hookup Guide

March 25, 2021

Get started passively monitoring motion using the Panasonic EKMC and EKMB sensors with the SparkFun Qwiic PIR.

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