This simple dust sensor is a great way to add basic particulate sensing to your next project. It's not as fully featured as our PM2.5 I2C/UART-based sensors, with just a single analog voltage output. However, for the price, it can't be beat! The SHARP GP2Y1014AU0F Dust Sensor Module Kit particulate sensor uses an LED to bounce off of particles suspended in the air - much like you can clearly see how dusty the air is when a sun beam lights up your room!

This sensor has a few tradeoff's compared to our other PM2.5 sensors:

• You need a fast GPIO toggle to trigger the measurements, for that reason it's only for use with Arduino or other non-interpreted languages. E.g. not for use with CircuitPython
• You only get an analog voltage output that tells you how dusty it is - higher voltage = dustier, ranging from 0 to 0.5 mg/m3. It isn't precise!
• You need to power it from 5V - however the output voltage can be read by a microcontroller that's running on 3.3V (the analog output maxes out at 3.6V)

Kit includes:

• 1x GP2Y1014AU0F sensor
• 1 x 6-pin pig-tail cable for interfacing with the sensor easily
• 1 x 150 ohm resistor
• 1 x 220uF capacitor

To use:

• Connect Blue wire to 5V through a 150 ohm resistor (included)
• Connect included 220uF capacitor between 5V and ground.
• Connect Yellow and Green wires to Ground
• Connect White wire to a digital output (to control the LED)
• Connect Black wire to an analog input (say A0)
• Connect Red wire to 5V

Run our example sketch on any Arduino and open the serial monitor to read the values out.