Tilt Sensor Specifications

General

• Sensor Type: Mechanical ball‐type tilt switch
• Operating Principle: A metal ball inside the tube shifts position to open/close an electrical connection based on tilt angle
• Output Type: Digital ON/OFF (open/closed circuit)
• Application: Orientation detection, anti-tamper devices, motion triggers

Electrical

• Operating Voltage: Typically 3.3 V – 5 V (depends on module if used with board)
• Output Signal:
  • LOW when tilted (ball closes circuit)
  • HIGH or floating when upright (ball open circuit)
• Current Rating: Very low; only switching small currents (few mA)

Performance

• Tilt Angle Sensitivity: ~10° – 45° depending on sensor type
• Response Time: Instant mechanical switching
• Debounce: May produce noise; often requires software or hardware filtering
• Life Cycle: Mechanical parts wear over time

Physical

• Sensor Type: Cylindrical metal or glass enclosure
• Module Dimensions (if using a breakout): ~3 cm × 1.5 cm (varies by manufacturer)
• Weight: A few grams

Features

• Simple 2-pin device (NO/NC depending on orientation)
• No polarity — works in either direction of wiring
• Usually integrated on modules with:
  • Pull-up resistor
  • Indicator LED
  • Digital output pin
• Compatible with Arduino, ESP8266, ESP32, Raspberry Pi, etc.

Applications

• Motion-activated devices
• Tilt detection in toys and robots
• Alarm/anti-tamper mechanisms
• Orientation sensing for small electronics