Adafruit ADA-173 Tilt Ball Switch 4mm .16in Diameter 11.62mm .46in Height
A tilt ball switch detects orientation changes when a metal ball shorts internal contacts, measuring 4 mm diameter by 11.62 mm height
- Simple orientation sensing with a rolling metal ball inside a 4 mm tube
- Compact 4 mm diameter fits tight spaces on breadboards or wearables
- Low 11.62 mm height keeps profile flat against the PCB
- Lightweight 0.61 g adds negligible mass to portable projects
- Tutorial with diagrams and example code speeds up integration
Simple orientation sensor
The Adafruit ADA-173 tilt ball switch detects basic motion or orientation changes using a metal ball inside a 4 mm diameter tube. When tilted upright the ball rolls onto the end contacts and shorts them together, providing a straightforward on-off signal for microcontroller projects.
Compact dimensions for tight builds
The switch measures 11.62 mm in height and weighs only 0.61 g, leaving ample headroom for dense breadboard layouts or wearable designs. Its tiny 0.16 in diameter body fits where larger accelerometers cannot, though the single-axis mechanism cannot report angle magnitude or multi-axis data.
Mechanical switching limits
The passive component relies on gravity and physical contact, so vibration or rapid movement can cause momentary false triggers. It suits low-frequency tilt detection such as enclosure orientation or simple motion alarms, but it cannot replace an accelerometer for gesture recognition, vibration analysis or precise angle measurement.
How it compares
Measured against everything we stock in Passive Components & Solder Supplies, at today’s prices. Recalculated every night.
- Price $1.69
- Cheaper than about 98% of the 265 comparable items (median $9.99).
Specifications
| Product | |
|---|---|
| Brand name | Adafruit Industries |
| Model name | ADAID-173 |
| Part number | ADA-173 |
| Product type | Other |
Questions about this item
Will the 4 mm tilt switch fit on a 0.1-inch perfboard I already use?
The body is 4 mm (0.16 in) wide, slightly wider than a 0.1-inch grid, so the leads may need a small offset or a custom footprint.
How can I verify the ADA-173 is making contact when tilted?
Apply power through a pull-up resistor; the output goes low when the ball rolls onto the end contacts in the upright position.
Does the package include any resistors, wires or a breakout board?
Only the bare 4 mm diameter, 11.62 mm tall switch weighing 0.61 g is supplied; all other parts must be sourced separately.
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