The INA226 is a 16-bit I2C current, voltage and power monitor that senses bus voltages from 0 to 36 V, with a maximum gain error of 0.1 percent, 330 µA typical supply current and 16 programmable addresses. It is the more accurate and higher-voltage step up from the INA219, and suits a robot on a 3S to 8S pack. Figures are from the Texas Instruments INA226 datasheet.
Key specifications
| Bus voltage | 0–36 V |
|---|---|
| Supply | 2.7–5.5 V, 330 µA typ |
| Resolution | 16 bit |
| Gain error | 0.1% max |
| Offset | 10 µV max |
| Addresses | 16 |
What the datasheet promises
| Item | Datasheet value |
|---|---|
| Bus voltage sensing | 0 to 36 V, high-side or low-side |
| Chip supply | 2.7 to 5.5 V, 330 µA typical (420 µA maximum) |
| Resolution | 16 bit |
| Gain error | 0.1 percent maximum (shunt and bus voltage) |
| Offset | 10 µV maximum |
| Reports | Current, bus voltage and power, with configurable averaging |
| Interface | I2C or SMBus compatible, 16 programmable addresses, alert output |
| Temperature | −40 °C to +125 °C |
| Package | VSSOP-10 |
The datasheet warns that the ADC scales to 40.96 V full scale, but you must not apply more than 36 V. Current needs a calibration value that depends on your shunt, so the reading is only as good as the shunt resistor you calibrate against.
Using it on a robot
- Place the shunt in series with the battery or motor supply and connect Vin+ and Vin− across it with short, matched traces.
- Write the calibration register for your shunt value, or the current and power read zero.
- Use the alert pin for an overcurrent or low-voltage cut-off that does not need polling.
- For a 12.6 V pack the older INA219 also works (26 V limit); choose the INA226 for higher voltage or better accuracy.
Sources and further reading
- Texas Instruments INA226 datasheet — the voltage range, supply, accuracy, addresses and package above.
Last reviewed: November 2026. Limits are from the Texas Instruments datasheet; breakout shunt values vary. No price is quoted because it has not been checked.
Where to buy in India
These open a store search. Compare seller, price and reviews before you order.