Shock Switch Sensor Module Pinout

Created on: 5 December 2017

Pinout of the shock switch sensor module from the 37 in 1 sensor kit for Arduino from Geekcreit, Elegoo, Elektor and others. In some kits this module may be called a vibration switch module.

The shock sensor module detects a shock, tap or knock. If the shock is hard enough, the sensor switch will briefly close, allowing the shock to be detected by a circuit or device such as an Arduino. A built in 10k resistor can be used as a pull-up or pull-down resistor.

This shock sensor module is found in the 37 in 1 sensor kit that is branded under several different names and found in many online shops.

Shock Sensor Module Pinout

Important:

There appear to be two different configurations for this module, depending on which kit they come from. The difference is which pins the 10k resistor is connected to on the module.

Before continuing, check your module with a multimeter to make sure which configuration your module is using. Both configurations are shown in the pinout images below.

Note one difference in the below images of the module – on the first module, the text R1 is silk-screened to the left of the board and is upside down. In the second image, R1 is silk-screened at the right of the board.

The image below shows the pinout for the Geekcreit shock sensor module. The shock sensor switch connects between the outer two pins of the module. A 10k resistor connects from the middle pin to the right pin as can be seen in the circuit diagram of the module at the right of the image.

Geekcreit Shock Sensor Module Pinout
Geekcreit Shock Sensor Module Pinout

It is suggested to use a multimeter to check whether this is the configuration of your module, or if your module uses the configuration in the next pinout image below.

In the image below, an alternate configuration of the shock sensor module can be seen. The 10k resistor connects between the middle pin and the left pin of the module.

Shock Sensor Module Pinout Alternate Configuration
Shock Sensor Module Pinout Alternate Configuration

Wiring the Shock Sensor Module

There are two ways to wire the the shock switch module as shown in the circuit diagrams below. In the left circuit, the module's resistor is used as a pull-down resistor. In the right circuit, the resistor is used as a pull-up resistor.

Geekcreit Shock Sensor Module Circuit

The right pin (marked -) in both circuits is used as the sense pin to detect the shock. When using an Arduino, the sense pin can be connected to an Arduino input pin to detect when the switch closes.

Shock Sensor Circuit Showing Pull Down (left) and Pull Up (right) Configurations
Shock Sensor Circuit Showing Pull Down (left) and Pull Up (right) Configurations

Alternate Shock Sensor Module Circuit

These circuits work as described above, but are for the modules with the 10k resistor between the left and middle pins.

Shock Sensor Circuit Alternate Module Pull Down (left) and Pull Up (right)
Shock Sensor Circuit Alternate Module Pull Down (left) and Pull Up (right)

Shock Sensor Module Tutorial

The shock sensor module tutorial shows basic use and testing of the shock sensor module with Arduino.