INA226 I2C Current Power Monitor Module 36V Bi-Directional for Arduino

🔧 INA226 I2C Current Power Monitor Module | AuscomTech

The INA226 is a high-accuracy bi-directional current and power monitoring module based on the Texas Instruments INA226 current shunt and power monitor IC.

It measures shunt voltage and bus voltage, then provides direct digital readouts of current, voltage, and power over an I2C / IIC or SMBus-compatible interface.

This module is well suited to Arduino, ESP32, Raspberry Pi, battery systems, power supply monitoring, charger projects, and embedded power measurement applications requiring high-side or low-side current sensing.

⭐ Key Features

• Bi-Directional Current Monitoring – Measures charge or discharge current through a shunt resistor in either direction.
• Current, Voltage, and Power Readout – Reports bus voltage, shunt voltage, calculated current, and calculated power digitally.
• Wide Bus Voltage Range – Supports bus voltage measurement from 0V to 36V.
• High-Side or Low-Side Sensing – Can be used on either side of the load depending on system design.
• I2C / SMBus Interface – Simple two-wire digital interface for connection to common microcontroller platforms.
• Programmable Calibration – Supports calibration for direct current in amperes and power in watts.
• Configurable Conversion and Averaging – Adjustable conversion times and averaging improve measurement stability.
• Multiple Address Options – Up to 16 programmable I2C addresses allow multiple modules on one bus.
• Low Power Operation – Operates from a 2.7V to 5.5V supply with very low typical current draw.
• Alert Output – Includes multi-function ALERT pin for threshold and warning functions.

📊 Technical Specifications

• Model: INA226
• Interface: I2C / IIC / SMBus-compatible
• Measured Parameters: Bus voltage, shunt voltage, current, power
• Bus Voltage Range: 0V to 36V
• Sensing Type: Bi-directional current sensing
• Sensing Position: High-side or low-side
• Supply Voltage: 2.7V to 5.5V
• Typical Supply Current: 330µA
• Gain Error: 0.1% max
• Offset Voltage: 10µV max
• Address Options: Up to 16 programmable addresses
• Operating Temperature: -40°C to +125°C
• Package IC: 10-pin DGS (VSSOP)
• Pin Functions: VBUS, SDA, SCL, ALERT, A0, A1, IN+, IN-

🧩 Typical Applications

• Battery monitoring systems
• Power supply measurement
• Battery charger projects
• Arduino and ESP32 power monitoring
• Solar and energy measurement systems
• Server and telecom equipment monitoring
• Embedded power management circuits
• Test and measurement projects

⚠️ Important Notes

• This module uses an I2C-compatible interface and requires suitable software support from your controller platform.
• Always confirm wiring, bus voltage, and current path polarity before powering the system.
• Bus voltage measurement supports up to 36V; do not exceed the module or shunt rating.
• Calibration is required in software for accurate current and power readings based on the installed shunt resistor.
• Header pins are included but are not pre-soldered and require assembly before use.
• Compatible with many Arduino, ESP32, STM32, and Raspberry Pi I2C projects.

📦 Package Includes

• 1 × INA226 I2C Current Power Monitor Module
• 1 × Pin Header Set (unsoldered)

🔗 Recommended Accessories (Not Included)

• Soldering iron and solder – required to attach header pins
• Dupont jumper wires – for quick wiring to Arduino or breadboard setups
• Prototype PCB – for permanent installation in custom projects
• Microcontroller board – for reading sensor data and calibration