VMA410 - Electronic module VELLEMAN - Free user manual and instructions

Product Type	Logic Level Converter Module
Model	VMA410
Brand	Velleman
Compatibility	Arduino® (3.3V and 5V systems)
Input Voltage (Low Side)	3.3 V
Input Voltage (High Side)	5 V
Number of Channels	2 (one bidirectional, one unidirectional)
Signal Direction (Channel 1)	Bidirectional (TXI/TXO) for low-to-high or high-to-low
Signal Direction (Channel 2)	Unidirectional (RXI/RXO) for high-to-low only
Dimensions	15 x 16 x 15 mm
Weight	Approx. 5 g
Pin Count	12 pins (6 per side)
Operating Environment	Indoor use only; keep away from moisture
Safety Certification	CE compliant
Warranty	24 months (EU consumer products)
Included Accessories	None (module only)

Frequently Asked Questions - VMA410 VELLEMAN

What is the VMA410 used for?

The VMA410 is a logic level converter module that allows you to interface 3.3V sensors or devices with a 5V microcontroller such as Arduino. It provides two channels for signal conversion.

How do I connect the VMA410?

Connect the high voltage (e.g., 5V) to the HV pin, low voltage (e.g., 3.3V) to the LV pin, and common ground to GND. Then connect your signal lines to the appropriate pins: use TXI/TXO for bidirectional low-to-high conversion, and RXI/RXO for high-to-low conversion.

Can I use the VMA410 for bidirectional communication?

Yes, one channel (TXI/TXO) is bidirectional and can shift signals both from low to high and high to low. The other channel (RXI/RXO) is unidirectional, only shifting high to low.

What voltages can I use with the VMA410?

The module is designed for 3.3V on the low side (LV) and 5V on the high side (HV). Both supplies must be connected and share a common ground.

How many channels does the VMA410 have?

It has two independent channels. Each channel consists of a voltage divider and a MOSFET shifter. One channel is bidirectional, the other is unidirectional.

What are the dimensions of the VMA410?

The module measures 15 x 16 x 15 mm, making it very compact for breadboard or project use.

Is the VMA410 compatible with Arduino?

Yes, it is designed for Arduino and other 3.3V/5V TTL logic systems. It works with both 3.3V and 5V Arduino boards.

Do I need any external components?

No, the VMA410 is a ready-to-use module. Simply connect power and signals. No external resistors or capacitors are required.

Can I use the VMA410 with I2C or SPI?

Yes, as long as the signal levels are within 3.3V and 5V. For I2C, note that it is an open-drain protocol; the module can shift the voltage levels appropriately. For SPI, use the bidirectional channel for MISO if needed.

What is the warranty on the VMA410?

Velleman offers a 24-month warranty for consumer products in the EU, covering production flaws and defective material. For professional use, the warranty is reduced to 6 months.

USER MANUAL VMA410 VELLEMAN

ARDUINO ^® 3.3 V / 5 V TTL LOGIC LEVEL CONVERTER MODULE

Close-up of an integrated circuit chip with labeled pins (TX, GND, RX) and terminal blocks (XO, X1, X2), no readable text beyond component labels.

USER MANUAL

1. Introduction

To all residents of the European Union

Important environmental information about this product

This symbol on the device or the package indicates that disposal of the device after its lifecycle could harm the environment. Do not dispose of the unit (or batteries) as unsorted municipal waste; it should be taken to a specialized company for recycling. This device should be returned to your distributor or to a local recycling service. Respect the local environmental rules.

If in doubt, contact your local waste disposal authorities.

Thank you for choosing Velleman®! Please read the manual thoroughly before bringing this device into service. If the device was damaged in transit, do not install or use it and contact your dealer.

2. Safety Instructions

- This device can be used by children aged from 8 years and above, and persons with reduced physical, sensory or mental capabilities or lack of experience and knowledge if they have been given supervision or instruction concerning the use of the device in a safe way and understand the hazards involved. Children shall not play with the device. Cleaning and user maintenance shall not be made by children without supervision.

- Indoor use only. Keep away from rain, moisture, splashing and dripping liquids.

3. General Guidelines

• Refer to the Velleman Service and Quality Warranty on the last pages of this manual.
  • Familiarise yourself with the functions of the device before actually using it.
• All modifications of the device are forbidden for safety reasons. Damage caused by user modifications to the device is not covered by the warranty.
• Only use the device for its intended purpose. Using the device in an unauthorised way will void the warranty.
• Damage caused by disregard of certain guidelines in this manual is not covered by the warranty and the dealer will not accept responsibility for any ensuing defects or problems.
• Nor Velleman nv nor its dealers can be held responsible for any damage (extraordinary, incidental or indirect) – of any nature (financial, physical...) arising from the possession, use or failure of this product.
• Due to constant product improvements, the actual product appearance might differ from the shown images.
• Product images are for illustrative purposes only.
• Do not switch the device on immediately after it has been exposed to changes in temperature. Protect the device against damage by leaving it switched off until it has reached room temperature.
• Keep this manual for future reference.

4. What is Arduino ®

Arduino is an open-source prototyping platform based in easy-to-use hardware and software. Arduino boards are able to read inputs – light-on sensor, a finger on a button or a Twitter message – and turn it into an output – activating of a motor, turning on an LED, publishing something online. You can tell your board what to do by sending a set of instructions to the microcontroller on the board. To do so, you use the Arduino programming language (based on Wiring) and the Arduino software IDE (based on Processing).

Surf to www.arduino.cc and www.arduino.org for more information.

5. Overview

This module allows to use 3.3 V sensors on a 5 V microcontroller.

low side (3.3 V)....2 inputs and 2 outputs high side (5 V)....2 inputs and 2 outputs other connections....V low (3.3 V), V high (5 V), pass-through GND dimensions....15 x 16 x 15 mm

The VMA410 LLC is very easy-to-use. The twelve pins – six on each side – can be divided into groups of three.

Channel 1 Channel 2
The middle section of the board serves the high and low voltages. Supplying voltage to all four of these pins is required.

Example: To convert 3.3 V into 5 V, run the 5 V into the HV side and 3.3 V into the LV side. Also, make sure each is grounded.
The outer pins serve as inputs and outputs for channels 1 and 2. Each channel has one voltage divider and one MOSFET shifter.

RXI	High-voltage input to voltage divider from the high-voltage device. The signal will be shifted down and sent to the low-voltage device on the RXO pin.
RXO	Low-voltage input from voltage divider to the low-voltage device. The signal will be shifted down from the RXI input.
TXI	Low-voltage input/output of the MOSFET circuit. This pin interacts with the TXO on the high side. Bi-directional, but the only shifter that will shift from low to high.
TXO	High-voltage input/output of the MOSFET circuit. This pin interacts with the TXI on the low side. Bi-directional, but the only shifter that will shift from low to high.

To send a signal from the low-voltage side to the high-voltage side (e.g. from 3.3 V to 5 V), the signal must be input at TXI. It will pass through the converter and come out as a higher voltage on the TXO (transmit output) pin.

On the other hand, a signal that strictly travels from high to low-voltage should pass from RXI to RXO.

Sending a signal from the high side to the low side is less restricted. We can use either the bi-directional channel or the voltage divider, but we may need to leave the bi-directional channel for converting from low-to-high.

Use this device with original accessories only. Velleman nv cannot be held responsible in the event of damage or injury resulting from (incorrect) use of this device. For more info concerning this product and the latest version of this manual, please visit our website www.velleman.eu. The information in this manual is subject to change without prior notice.

© COPYRIGHT NOTICE

The copyright to this manual is owned by Velleman nv. All worldwide rights reserved. No part of this manual may be copied, reproduced, translated or reduced to any electronic medium or otherwise without the prior written consent of the copyright holder.

Velleman® Service and Quality Warranty

Since its foundation in 1972, Velleman® acquired extensive experience in the electronics world and currently distributes its products in over 85 countries.

All our products fulfil strict quality requirements and legal stipulations in the EU. In order to ensure the quality, our products regularly go through an extra quality check, both by an internal quality department and by specialized external organisations. If, all precautionary measures notwithstanding, problems should occur, please make appeal to our warranty (see guarantee conditions).

General Warranty Conditions Concerning Consumer Products (for EU):

• All consumer products are subject to a 24-month warranty on production flaws and defective material as from the original date of purchase.
• Velleman® can decide to replace an article with an equivalent article, or to refund the retail value totally or partially when the complaint is valid and a free repair or replacement of the article is impossible, or if the expenses are out of proportion.

You will be delivered a replacing article or a refund at the value of 100% of the purchase price in case of a flaw occurred in the first year after the date of purchase and delivery, or a replacing article at 50% of the purchase price or a refund at the value of 50% of the retail value in case of a flaw occurred in the second year after the date of purchase and delivery.

- Not covered by warranty:

• all direct or indirect damage caused after delivery to the article (e.g. by oxidation, shocks, falls, dust, dirt, humidity...), and by the article, as well as its contents (e.g. data loss), compensation for loss of profits;
• consumable goods, parts or accessories that are subject to an aging process during normal use, such as batteries (rechargeable, non-rechargeable, built-in or replaceable), lamps, rubber parts, drive belts... (unlimited list);
• flaws resulting from fire, water damage, lightning, accident, natural disaster, etc....;
• flaws caused deliberately, negligently or resulting from improper handling, negligent maintenance, abusive use or use contrary to the manufacturer's instructions;
• damage caused by a commercial, professional or collective use of the article (the warranty validity will be reduced to six (6) months when the article is used professionally);
• damage resulting from an inappropriate packing and shipping of the article;
• all damage caused by modification, repair or alteration performed by a third party without written permission by Velleman®.
• Articles to be repaired must be delivered to your Velleman® dealer, solidly packed (preferably in the original packaging), and be completed with the original receipt of purchase and a clear flaw description.
• Hint: In order to save on cost and time, please reread the manual and check if the flaw is caused by obvious causes prior to presenting the article for repair. Note that returning a non-defective article can also involve handling costs.
• Repairs occurring after warranty expiration are subject to shipping costs.
• The above conditions are without prejudice to all commercial warranties.

The above enumeration is subject to modification according to the article (see article's manual).