# VCNL4010 proximity and light sensor: specs and pinout

> A module built around the VCNL4010 chip, which has an infrared emitter, a proximity sensor and an ambient light sensor, read over I2C, with an…

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A module built around the VCNL4010 chip, which has an infrared emitter, a proximity sensor and an ambient light sensor, read over I2C, with an interrupt pin. The figures here are for the chip, not the module board.

Every value cites its sourceOfficial pinout

[Buy on Compoden](https://compoden.com/products/vcnl4010-proximity-and-ambient-light-sensor-module-i2c-interface)

## Specs

| Spec | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Supply voltage (VDD) | 2.5 V to 3.6 V | source Features; Basic Characteristics, p.2 |
| IR emitter anode supply | 2.5 V to 5 V | source Features; Basic Characteristics, p.2 |
| I2C bus H-level range | 1.7 V to 5 V | source Features, p.1 |
| I2C address | 0x13 (7-bit, fixed) | source Device Address |
| Proximity range | 1 mm to 200 mm | source Product Summary, p.1 |
| LED drive current | 10 mA to 200 mA in 10 mA steps, set over I2C; default 20 mA | source IR LED current register (Valid Range 0 to 20d; 2 = 20 mA = DEFAULT) |
| Ambient light range and resolution | 0.25 lx to 16 klx; 0.25 lx per step | source Product Summary, p.1 |
| ADC resolution | 16 bit (proximity) and 16 bit (ambient light) | source Product Summary, p.1 |
| Standby current | 1.5 uA | source Features, p.1 |
| Operating temperature | -25 C to +85 C | source Absolute Maximum Ratings, p.2 |

## Power

| | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Supply | VDD 2.5 V to 3.6 V; IR anode 2.5 V to 5 V | source Features, p.1 |
| Current | 1.5 uA standby | source Features, p.1 |

## Pinout

The module board is not covered by an official document. Its regulator, pull-up resistors, address jumpers, level handling and header order are not documented by a source; check the printed labels on the board. The numbers on this page are for the chip.

| Pin | Function | Voltage | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | IR anode | 2.5 V to 5 V | Infrared emitter anode supply | source Pinning drawing p.1; Application Circuit (chip) |
| 2 | IR cathode | | Needs no external connection; connection to the driver is internal | source Pinning drawing p.1; Application Circuit (chip) |
| 3 | IR cathode | | Needs no external connection; connection to the driver is internal | source Pinning drawing p.1; Application Circuit (chip) |
| 4 | SDA | | I2C data | source Pinning drawing p.1; Application Circuit (chip) |
| 5 | SCL | | I2C clock | source Pinning drawing p.1; Application Circuit (chip) |
| 6 | INT | | Interrupt output, open drain | source Pinning drawing p.1; Application Circuit (chip) |
| 7 | VDD | 2.5 V to 3.6 V | Supply voltage | source Pinning drawing p.1; Application Circuit (chip) |
| 8 | nc | | Not connected | source Pinning drawing p.1; Application Circuit (chip) |
| 9 | nc | | Not connected | source Pinning drawing p.1; Application Circuit (chip) |
| 10 | nc | | Not connected | source Pinning drawing p.1; Application Circuit (chip) |
| 11 | nc | | Not connected | source Pinning drawing p.1; Application Circuit (chip) |
| 12 | GND | | Ground | source Pinning drawing p.1; Application Circuit (chip) |
| 13 | GND | | Ground (pad) | source Pinning drawing p.1; Application Circuit (chip) |

## Build with it
Project ideas for the VCNL4010 proximity and light sensor. Each link opens Soldr with the prompt filled in; Soldr assigns the pins, checks power and shows how to wire every part.

- [Hand-near distance display](https://app.soldr.ai/?prompt=I%20want%20to%20build%20a%20proximity%20display%20with%20an%20ESP32%2C%20a%20VCNL4010%20sensor%20and%20an%20OLED%20display): The chip works from 3.3 V on I2C, matching the ESP32. The OLED shows the proximity count, valid for objects 1 mm to 200 mm away. The IR emitter current is set over I2C from 10 mA to 200 mA (default 20 mA); leave the default and check the module's emitter supply before raising it.
- [Ambient light meter](https://app.soldr.ai/?prompt=I%20want%20to%20build%20an%20ambient%20light%20meter%20with%20an%20ESP32%2C%20a%20VCNL4010%20sensor%20and%20an%20OLED%20display): The ambient light channel reads 0.25 lx to 16 klx with 16-bit output, shown on the OLED.
- [Light-following LED brightness](https://app.soldr.ai/?prompt=I%20want%20to%20build%20an%20LED%20that%20follows%20room%20brightness%20with%20an%20ESP32%2C%20a%20VCNL4010%20sensor%20and%20an%20LED): Ambient light readings set a PWM value on an ESP32 pin driving an LED through a resistor from the packs. Learning project.

## Common mistakes

- Powering the chip VDD from 5 V: VDD is 2.5 V to 3.6 V and the maximum rating is 5.5 V (source: [link](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/product-files/466/vcnl4010.pdf), p.2). Only the IR emitter anode may go to 5 V. Check how the module board connects them.
- No pull-ups: the interrupt pin is open drain and needs a pull-up (the sheet suggests above 1 kOhm, for example 10 kOhm to 100 kOhm), and I2C needs pull-ups too (source: [link](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/product-files/466/vcnl4010.pdf), application circuit notes).
- Looking for an address option: the 7-bit address is fixed at 0x13, so two on one bus need a multiplexer (source: [link](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/product-files/466/vcnl4010.pdf), Device Address).

## Not covered by the official source

- The verbatim copy of Vishay's document on a mirror was used.
- The document is revision 1.6 (2014); a later Vishay revision may differ.

## Sources

- [link](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/product-files/466/vcnl4010.pdf) (VCNL4010 Fully Integrated Proximity and Ambient Light Sensor, Vishay Semiconductors, Rev. 1.6, 13-Aug-14, document 83462; verbatim maker PDF on a mirror)