Arduino Sensors: Details and Calibration

Temperature Sensors
Sensor Range Functionality Uses Calibration
Process
LM35 -55°C to 150°C Analog output Thermometers, Compare
proportional to weather readings with a
temperature monitoring standard
thermometer;
adjust for offset
in the code
DS18B20 -55°C to 125°C Digital Industrial Use a standard
temperature temperature thermometer
readings with monitoring for validation;
high precision no physical
calibration
needed
DHT11/DHT22 0°C to 50°C Measures HVAC, Cross-check
(DHT11), -40°C temperature agriculture with reference
to 80°C and humidity sensors; adjust
(DHT22) software if
necessary

Humidity Sensors
Sensor Range Functionality Uses Calibration
Process
DHT11/DHT22 20%-90% RH Measures Weather Expose to
(DHT11), 0%- relative stations, known
100% RH humidity greenhouses humidity
(DHT22) environments
using salt
solutions

Motion and Position Sensors

Sensor Range Functionality Uses Calibration
Process
PIR (Passive 3-7 meters Detects motion Security Adjust
Infrared) through heat systems, sensitivity
changes automation using onboard
potentiometers
MPU6050 ±2g to ±16g, Measures Robotics, Use a stationary
(Gyroscope + ±250°/s to motion and drones position for
Accelerometer) ±2000°/s orientation bias calibration;
run a
calibration
sketch to
 reduce drift
ADXL345 ±2g to ±16g Measures Gaming, Orient sensor in
acceleration in vibration all directions
3 axes monitoring and adjust bias

Proximity and Distance Sensors

Sensor Range Functionality Uses Calibration
Process
HC-SR04 2 cm to 4 Measures Object Measure a
(Ultrasonic) meters distance using detection, known
sound waves robotics distance; adjust
constants in the
code
Sharp IR 10 cm to 150 Uses IR light to Robotics, Compare
Sensors cm measure automation output with
distance known
distances
TOF10120 10 cm to 2 Laser-based Industrial Adjust offset
(Time of Flight) meters distance automation using known
measurement distance
readings

Light Sensors
Sensor Range Functionality Uses Calibration
Process
LDR (Light 1 lux to 10,000 Measures Smart lighting, Measure light
Dependent lux ambient light photography levels under
Resistor) intensity known
conditions; map
values in code
TSL2561 0.1 lux to Digital light Brightness Validate against
40,000 lux intensity adjustment a lux meter
measurements systems

Gas Sensors
Sensor Range Functionality Uses Calibration
Process
MQ Series (e.g., 100 ppm to Detects gases Safety systems, Expose to
MQ-2, MQ-7) 10,000 ppm like CO, CH4, air quality known gas
and LPG monitoring concentrations;
adjust
sensitivity
potentiometer
CO2 Sensors 0-5000 ppm Measures CO2 Indoor air Use calibration
(e.g., MH-Z19) levels quality, protocol in the
greenhouses datasheet; zero
using clean air
Sound Sensors
Sensor Range Functionality Uses Calibration
Process
KY-038 52 dB to 100 dB Detects sound Alarms, voice Use a sound
Microphone levels control meter for
reference
levels; adjust
onboard
potentiometer

Pressure Sensors
Sensor Range Functionality Uses Calibration
Process
BMP180/BMP280 300 hPa to Measures Weather Cross-check
1100 hPa atmospheric stations, with a
pressure and altimeters barometer;
temperature apply
corrections in
code

Touch Sensors
Sensor Range Functionality Uses Calibration
Process
TTP223 Capacitive Detects touch Touch buttons, Adjust
sensing events panels sensitivity via
code

Environmental Sensors
Sensor Range Functionality Uses Calibration
Process
Soil Moisture 0-100% Measures soil Agriculture, Test in different
Sensor moisture levels gardening soil conditions;
adjust
threshold
values in code
BH1750 1-65,535 lux Measures light Solar systems, Validate against
intensity photography a professional
digitally lux meter

Current and Voltage Sensors

Sensor Range Functionality Uses Calibration
Process
ACS712 ±5A, ±20A, Measures Power Cross-check
±30A AC/DC current monitoring, with a
safety multimeter;
adjust offset in
code
INA219 0-26V, ±3.2A Measures Battery Validate against
 voltage, monitoring a multimeter
current, and reading
power

Water Level Sensors

Sensor Range Functionality Uses Calibration
Process
Water Level 0-40 mm Detects water Irrigation, Test with
Sensor levels tanks known water
levels; adjust
threshold
values
Extended List of Arduino Sensors

Flame Sensors
Sensor Range Functionality Uses Calibration
Process
KY-026 Flame Up to 100 cm Detects Fire detection, Use a lighter at
Sensor (depends on infrared light safety systems different
flame size) emitted by distances;
flames adjust
sensitivity via
potentiometer

Vibration Sensors
Sensor Range Functionality Uses Calibration
Process
SW-420 N/A (on/off Detects Alarms, Test in various
output) vibrations or structural vibration
shocks health scenarios;
monitoring adjust
sensitivity with
onboard
potentiometer

Rain Sensors
Sensor Range Functionality Uses Calibration
Process
YL-83 Rain Analog Detects rain or Weather Test with
Sensor (wetness moisture stations, smart varying
intensity) and irrigation amounts of
Digital (on/off) water; adjust
thresholds in
code

Magnetic and Hall Effect Sensors

Sensor Range Functionality Uses Calibration
Process
A3144 Hall Detects Magnetic Industrial Test with
Effect Sensor magnetic fields switches, RPM automation, magnets of
monitoring robotics known strength
and adjust
thresholds
KY-035 ±8 Gauss Measures Navigation, Use a standard
Magnetometer magnetic field compass Gauss meter for
strength modules comparison
RFID Sensors
Sensor Range Functionality Uses Calibration
Process
MFRC522 0-3 cm Reads RFID Access control, Test with tags
tags/cards inventory at various
management distances;
ensure proper
antenna tuning

Pulse and Heart Rate Sensors

Sensor Range Functionality Uses Calibration
Process
Pulse Sensor 30 bpm to Measures heart rate Health Validate
240 bpm via monitoring, against a
photoplethysmography fitness devices medical-grade
pulse
oximeter;
adjust gain
settings

Gas Sensors (Advanced)

Sensor Range Functionality Uses Calibration
Process
MQ-135 10 ppm to 300 Detects air Pollution Expose to
ppm quality and monitoring specific gas
harmful gases concentrations;
(e.g., NH3, adjust
alcohol, calibration
benzene) constant
MQ-9 10 ppm to 1000 Detects CO and Combustion Use calibration
ppm flammable safety, gas gas for precise
gases leakage tuning
detection

Gesture Sensors
Sensor Range Functionality Uses Calibration
Process
APDS-9960 10-20 cm Detects Gesture control, Test with hand
gestures smart devices gestures; adjust
(swipe, sensitivity in
proximity) and code
RGB light

Weight and Force Sensors

Sensor Range Functionality Uses Calibration
Process
HX711 + Load 1g to 100kg Measures Weighing Use known
Cell (depending on weight and scales, weights to
 load cell) force industrial calibrate; adjust
applications the calibration
factor in code

GPS Sensors
Sensor Range Functionality Uses Calibration
Process
NEO-6M GPS Global coverage Provides Navigation, Verify with
Module location tracking known
(latitude, systems coordinates and
longitude) and adjust data
time data parsing settings

Camera Modules
Sensor Range Functionality Uses Calibration
Process
OV7670 VGA resolution Captures still Surveillance, Adjust focus
(640x480) images or video image manually;
processing ensure proper
lighting for
testing

Water Quality Sensors

Sensor Range Functionality Uses Calibration
Process
pH Sensor (e.g., 0-14 pH Measures Aquaponics, Use buffer
SEN0161) acidity or water solutions (pH 4,
alkalinity monitoring 7, 10) for
calibration
TDS Sensor 0-1000 ppm Measures total Drinking water Compare with a
dissolved solids quality, commercial
aquariums TDS meter for
adjustment

Infrared Sensors
Sensor Range Functionality Uses Calibration
Process
IR Receiver 5-10 meters Receives IR TVs, home Test with an IR
Module (e.g., signals for automation remote; verify
TSOP1838) remote controls frequency
compatibility

pH and EC Sensors
Sensor Range Functionality Uses Calibration
Process
EC Sensor (e.g., 0-10 mS/cm Measures Hydroponics, Calibrate with
Gravity EC) electrical soil analysis standard EC
conductivity solutions
 (salinity)

Soil Nutrient Sensors

Sensor Range Functionality Uses Calibration
Process
NPK Sensor Variable Measures Agriculture, soil Compare
nitrogen (N), analysis readings with
phosphorus (P), lab tests;
and potassium calibrate
(K) levels software
parameters

Biometric Sensors
Sensor Range Functionality Uses Calibration
Process
Fingerprint N/A Captures and Security Test with
Sensor (e.g., verifies systems, multiple
R307) fingerprints biometric fingerprints;
attendance register
templates
accurately

Wind Sensors
Sensor Range Functionality Uses Calibration
Process
Anemometer 0-30 m/s Measures wind Weather Validate with a
speed stations, wind commercial
turbines anemometer