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Adafruit NAU7802 24-Bit ADC Breakout

Adafruit NAU7802 24-Bit ADC Breakout

MPN: 4538
Adafruit Industries LLC
NAU7802 Analog to Digital Converter (ADC) Data Acquisition Qwiic, STEMMA QT Platform Evaluation Expansion Board
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Overview

The Adafruit 4538 is a high-precision 24-bit analog-to-digital converter breakout board based on the Nuvoton NAU7802, specifically designed for bridge-based sensors like load cells. It simplifies the process of reading minute voltage changes by providing a low-noise programmable gain amplifier (PGA) and an I2C interface that operates between 3V and 5V. The board includes STEMMA QT / Qwiic connectors for solderless integration with various microcontrollers.

Why Choose This Part

This board features a 24-bit ADC with an integrated PGA, allowing for high-resolution measurements of differential signals as small as a few millivolts. It eliminates the need for complex external analog front-end circuitry by providing a dedicated terminal block for bridge sensor wiring and dual power/logic compatibility for 3.3V and 5V systems.

Applications

Digital Weigh Scales
Interfacing with four-wire load cells to measure weight with high resolution and stability.
Strain Gauge Measurement
Monitoring structural integrity or mechanical stress by detecting minute resistance changes in strain gauges.
Industrial Pressure Sensing
Reading bridge-output pressure transducers in process control environments.
Precision Data Acquisition
Capturing low-level analog signals in scientific or prototyping applications where standard 10-bit or 12-bit MCU ADCs are insufficient.

Getting Started

Connect your load cell to the onboard terminal block following the E+, E-, A+, and A- pinout for standard bridge sensors. Use the Adafruit NAU7802 library available for Arduino or CircuitPython to initialize the I2C communication and perform calibration. The board is plug-and-play with any Qwiic or STEMMA QT compatible microcontroller board like the Feather or QT Py.