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Ultra-Low Power Timer — TPL5110 Breakout (Adafruit)
The Adafruit TPL5110 Low Power Timer Breakout is an external power timer that periodically enables your microcontroller, lets it do its job, then cuts power completely — drawing only ~35 nA while sleeping. This is far lower than any microcontroller's built-in sleep mode, making it ideal for battery-powered data loggers, weather stations, and IoT sensors that only need to wake every few minutes or hours.
How it works
- The TPL5110 acts as a power switch between your battery and your microcontroller
- It wakes up at intervals you set (100ms to 2 hours) via a resistor
- Your MCU does its task, then signals DONE to cut its own power
- Sleep current: ~35 nA — your battery lasts months or years
Technical specifications
| Chip | TPL5110 (Texas Instruments) |
|---|---|
| Sleep current | ~35 nA |
| Timer range | 100 ms to ~2 hours (set by resistor) |
| Max load | ~100 mA (switched output) |
| Supply | 1.8–5.5V |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 35 nA really better than sleep mode? Yes. Most microcontrollers draw 5–50 µA in deep sleep — that's 100–1000× more than the TPL5110. For multi-month battery life, external power gating wins.
Can I use it with a Raspberry Pi? The 100 mA limit is too low for a Pi. Use it with low-power MCUs like Feather boards or ATtiny chips.
Manila stock. Order before 16:00 PHT, ships today via J&T or LBC. Provincial: 1–3 working days.
Schools / class POs: we accept Purchase Orders for accredited schools and universities. contact us with your PO details.
Returns: 7-day inspection window for DOA units. Email proof of issue and we ship a replacement.
Compatibility & downloads
// downloads
- GitHub PCB repo git
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