KY-006 Passive Buzzer Module
The KY-006 is a passive piezoelectric buzzer module that produces sound when driven by a PWM signal. It is ideal for generating various tones and melodies in electronic projects.
KY-006 pinout
The KY-006 is a 3-pin passive piezoelectric buzzer module:
| Pin | Type | Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pin (S) | Communication | PWM signal input | Requires PWM for tone generation |
| Pin (+) | Power | Power supply | 3.3V or 5V |
| Pin (-) | Power | Ground connection |
Interface: PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) input
Type: Passive piezoelectric buzzer (requires external signal)
Frequency: 1.5 kHz to 2.5 kHz range
Power: 3.3V or 5V operation
Size: 18.5mm × 15mm compact design
Applications: Custom tones, melodies, alarms, audio notifications
Wiring the KY-006 to ESP32
To interface the KY-006 with an ESP32 for PWM-driven tones:
| KY-006 pin | ESP32 pin | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Pin (S) | GPIO18 | PWM signal (any PWM-capable GPIO) |
| Pin (+) | 3.3V or 5V | Power supply |
| Pin (-) | GND | Ground |
PWM Pins: Use any PWM-capable GPIO, GPIO18 is just an example
Voltage: Use 3.3V or 5V depending on desired volume
Frequency Control: Adjust PWM frequency to create different tones
Melodies: Can play custom melodies by changing frequencies
KY-006 code examples
#define BUZZER_PIN 8
void setup() {
pinMode(BUZZER_PIN, OUTPUT);
}
void loop() {
tone(BUZZER_PIN, 1000); // Play tone at 1000 Hz
delay(500);
noTone(BUZZER_PIN); // Stop tone
delay(500);
}This Arduino code uses the tone() function to generate a 1000 Hz sound from the KY-006 passive buzzer connected to pin 8. The buzzer plays the tone for 500 milliseconds, then stops for 500 milliseconds, creating a beeping effect.
#include <stdio.h>
#include "freertos/FreeRTOS.h"
#include "freertos/task.h"
#include "driver/ledc.h"
#define BUZZER_GPIO 18 // KY-006 signal pin, matches the wiring above
void app_main(void)
{
// A passive buzzer needs a PWM tone - the LEDC peripheral provides it
ledc_timer_config_t timer = {
.speed_mode = LEDC_LOW_SPEED_MODE,
.timer_num = LEDC_TIMER_0,
.duty_resolution = LEDC_TIMER_10_BIT,
.freq_hz = 2000, // 2 kHz tone
.clk_cfg = LEDC_AUTO_CLK,
};
ledc_timer_config(&timer);
ledc_channel_config_t channel = {
.speed_mode = LEDC_LOW_SPEED_MODE,
.channel = LEDC_CHANNEL_0,
.timer_sel = LEDC_TIMER_0,
.gpio_num = BUZZER_GPIO,
.duty = 0,
.hpoint = 0,
};
ledc_channel_config(&channel);
while (1) {
// Tone on: 50% duty at the timer frequency
ledc_set_duty(LEDC_LOW_SPEED_MODE, LEDC_CHANNEL_0, 512);
ledc_update_duty(LEDC_LOW_SPEED_MODE, LEDC_CHANNEL_0);
vTaskDelay(pdMS_TO_TICKS(500));
// Tone off
ledc_set_duty(LEDC_LOW_SPEED_MODE, LEDC_CHANNEL_0, 0);
ledc_update_duty(LEDC_LOW_SPEED_MODE, LEDC_CHANNEL_0);
vTaskDelay(pdMS_TO_TICKS(500));
// Change the pitch with ledc_set_freq()
// ledc_set_freq(LEDC_LOW_SPEED_MODE, LEDC_TIMER_0, 1000);
}
}A passive buzzer needs an audio-frequency PWM signal, which the ESP32's LEDC peripheral generates in hardware: the timer sets the tone frequency (2 kHz here) and the loop toggles between 50% duty (tone on) and 0% (silence) every half second. Change the pitch at runtime with ledc_set_freq() - each frequency is one musical note.
output:
- platform: ledc
pin: GPIO18
id: buzzer_pwm
switch:
- platform: template
name: "KY-006 Buzzer"
optimistic: true
turn_on_action:
- output.ledc.set_frequency:
id: buzzer_pwm
frequency: 2000Hz
- output.set_level:
id: buzzer_pwm
level: 50%
turn_off_action:
- output.set_level:
id: buzzer_pwm
level: 0%A passive buzzer needs a PWM signal, so the KY-006 sits on a ledc output. The template switch starts a 2 kHz tone with output.ledc.set_frequency plus a 50% duty level, and stops it by setting the level to zero. Change the frequency action to play different notes; the rtttl component can even play ringtones through the same output.
[env:esp32]
platform = espressif32
board = esp32dev
framework = arduino#include <Arduino.h>
#define BUZZER_PIN 18
void setup() {
pinMode(BUZZER_PIN, OUTPUT);
}
void loop() {
tone(BUZZER_PIN, 2000); // Generate 2 kHz tone
delay(500);
noTone(BUZZER_PIN);
delay(500);
}This PlatformIO code initializes the KY-006 passive buzzer on GPIO18. It generates a 2 kHz tone for 500ms, then stops for 500ms, creating a beeping effect.
import machine
import time
BUZZER_PIN = machine.Pin(18, machine.Pin.OUT)
PWM = machine.PWM(BUZZER_PIN)
PWM.freq(2000)
while True:
PWM.duty(512) # 50% duty cycle
time.sleep(0.5)
PWM.duty(0)
time.sleep(0.5)This MicroPython script configures the KY-006 passive buzzer on GPIO18 using PWM. It sets the frequency to 2 kHz and alternates between 50% duty cycle (sound on) and 0% duty cycle (sound off) every 500ms.
KY-006 specifications
About the KY-006
The KY-006 is a passive piezo disc, not a self-contained beeper: there’s no oscillator onboard, so a steady HIGH signal on the module produces silence, not a tone. It needs a PWM square wave on the signal pin to make any sound at all, with a usable range loosely centered around 1.5-2.5 kHz where the disc actually resonates - tone() on Arduino or ledc PWM on ESP-IDF/Arduino-ESP32 both work, and the pitch tracks whatever frequency it’s driven at rather than just getting louder or quieter.
That extra bit of code is also the whole difference from an active buzzer: the KY-012 needs only a HIGH/LOW to buzz at its own fixed tone around 2.5 kHz, while the KY-006 can play actual melodies and varying pitches at the cost of a slightly more involved sketch - useful for anything beyond a single alert beep.
KY-006 troubleshooting
No Sound from Buzzer
›
Issue: The buzzer does not produce any sound when expected.
Solutions:
- Ensure that the signal pin is connected to a PWM-capable GPIO pin on the microcontroller.
- Verify that the PWM signal is being generated correctly in the code.
- Check all wiring connections for continuity and correctness.
- Confirm that the supply voltage is within the specified range (3.3V to 5V).
Distorted or Unintended Sounds
›
Issue: The buzzer produces distorted sounds or tones that are not as intended.
Solutions:
- Ensure that the PWM frequency is set within the buzzer's optimal range (1.5 kHz to 2.5 kHz).
- Check for any software conflicts that might affect PWM signal generation.
- Verify that there are no loose connections or interference affecting the signal integrity.
Where to buy the KY-006
Resources
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