RV3028 Real-Time Clock (RTC) Sensor

RV3028 Real-Time Clock (RTC) Breakout

This product is an extremely accurate and ultra-low power (~100 nA) real-time clock breakout. It is the ideal breakout for adding timekeeping functionality to your project. It also offers the added advantage of having a tiny onboard battery. Thanks to this, it will keep tracking time even when your device is powered off. And, of course, it is a Swiss-made product!

This RV3028 RTC breakout is factory calibrated and its possible drift has been estimated at only ±1 second per million seconds at 25 degrees. This output may vary slightly depending on different factors. Numerous tests have shown a performance better than ±2 seconds per million seconds. Overall, it is at least five times more accurate than a standard digital clock.

The tiny silver oxide battery on the board (8mAh included) keeps the Real-Time Clock running even when your device (either Raspberry Pi or Arduino) is powered off and will synchronize the time when you power it back on. In theory, the battery should last up to nine years, although its expected lifetime is estimated at five years.

This RV3028 Real-Time Clock breakout features an I2C interface and is compatible with both 3.3V and 5V. Like other Pimoroni breakouts, its design allows you to easily solder a right-angle header onto it. Once done, you can plug it directly onto the bottom left 5 pins on your Raspberry Pi’s GPIO header (pins 1, 3, 5, 7, 9).

This breakout is also compatible with Breakout Garden HAT (I2C). Simply plug it into one of the slots available on Breakout Garden.

RV3028 Real-Time Clock breakout Features

• RV3028 Real-Time Clock (RTC)
• Ultra-low power consumption (typical current draw ~100nA)
• Drift of ±1 second per million seconds at 25°
• Silver oxide battery (1.55V, 8mAh, type 337) included
• It is 3.3V or 5V compatible
• I2C interface (address 0x52)
• Reverse polarity protection
• Compatible with Raspberry Pi pinout (pins 1, 3, 5, 7, 9)
• Compatible with Raspberry Pi 4B, 3B+, 3, 2, B+, A+, Zero, and Zero W
• Compatible with Arduino
• Python library
• Datasheet and application manual

The RTC breakout kit includes:

• RV3028 RTC Breakout
• 1×5 male header
• 1×5 female right-angle header

Software

You can use this Python library for the RV3028 RTC breakout, while a very useful command line installer will help you install everything.

Thanks to the Python library, you can set hours, minutes, seconds, year, month, and day. You can configure periodic countdowns with interrupts or even one or more repeating alarms with interrupts.

Raspbian Wheezy is not supported by this library.

Notes
When using this RV3028 Real-Time Clock breakout for the first time, you will need to use the ‘set-time.py’ example to set the correct time. This will also allow the clock to run properly while powered by the backup battery!

Given the extremely small size of the battery used in this breakout, be careful not to lose it! Also make sure not to place your breakout in contact with other metallic objects, as this could damage the battery (avoid storing it in a container together with other breakouts or any other conductive materials).

Dimensions: 19x19x4mm

Pimoroni name: RV3028 Real-Time Clock (RTC) Breakout [PIM449]