TP4056 Battery Charger C Type Module with Protection
The TP4056 Battery Charger C Type Module with Protection is a compact 18650 charging module and battery protection board for single-cell 3.7V Li-ion and Li-Po batteries. Featuring the reliable DW01A protection IC, it provides a convenient way to add rechargeable battery power to DIY electronics, robotics, IoT devices, portable gadgets, and other low-power projects.
The module uses the TP4056 linear lithium-ion charging IC to charge a single cell using a constant-current/constant-voltage (CC/CV) charging method. With a charging current of up to 1A, it can provide a practical charging solution for compatible rechargeable cells. The charging voltage is fixed at 4.2V, making it suitable for standard 3.7V nominal Li-ion/Li-Po cells.
A built-in battery protection circuit helps protect the connected cell against overcharge, over-discharge and over-current conditions. The separate B+ and B− terminals are used for connecting the battery, while OUT+ and OUT− provide the protected output for a connected load. Power can be supplied through the convenient USB Type-C input or the IN+ and IN− solder pads.
Two onboard LEDs provide a quick charging-status indication: the red LED indicates charging, while the green LED indicates a completed charge. This makes the board easy to monitor without additional circuitry.
The TP4056 module is especially useful when building rechargeable battery-powered Arduino projects, ESP32 projects, portable electronics, sensor nodes, small IoT devices and DIY power systems where a simple single-cell charging and protection solution is required.
Important: This is a single-cell charger. Always verify battery polarity, battery chemistry and the required charging current before connecting a cell. Do not use it for multi-cell series battery packs.
Use the Module Through the Following Steps:
- To supply power, either plug in a Type C cable or attach a 5V DC source to the IN+ and IN-labeled pads on the module's left side.
- Fasten the battery that has to be charged to the B+/B- pads on the module's right side.
- The OUT+/OUT- pads on the right side can also be used to attach a load, or an object that the battery will power.
- Keep in mind that while the battery is charging, unplug the load.
- When the charging process is finished, the green LED will turn on, while the red
- LED will illuminate to signify that the charge is ongoing.
- Be careful to never charge your battery at a rate exceeding 1
TP4056 Pinout: IN+, IN-, B+, B-, OUT+, OUT-
To ensure safe and correct wiring, please refer to the terminal labels on the board:
- B+: Connect to the Positive (+) terminal of your single-cell 3.7V Li-ion/Li-Po battery (e.g., 18650).
- B−: Connect to the Negative (−) terminal of your battery.
- OUT+: Protected positive output to safely power your load/project.
- OUT−: Protected negative output to safely power your load/project.
- IN+ / IN−: Alternative 5V DC input solder pads (use only if not supplying power via the USB Type-C port).
Note:
Please remember the following crucial information:
- The module's 5V input side is the only one to which the ampere meter should be attached.
- A charging current of around 37% of the battery's capacity is advised.
- A 400mAh charging current is adequate for a 1000mAh battery.
- Make use of reasonably thin connecting cables.
- Verify the security of the connecting point.
- It is usual for the current to decrease below 1000mA if the input voltage is greater
- than 5.2V.
- In order to shield the chip from harm, this protective function immediately lowers
- the charging current.
- Reverse polarity should be avoided at all costs.
TP4056 with vs without Protection
Not all TP4056 modules are created equal. Bare TP4056 boards only handle charging and lack safety cutoffs. This module includes an integrated DW01A protection IC paired with a MOSFET. This provides critical over-discharge protection, overcharge protection, and short-circuit prevention, making it a much safer li-ion charger module for your valuable 18650 batteries and projects.
Features
- It features a modern USB Type-C port that provides convenient and universal power.
- This module includes integrated protection against over-charge, over-discharge, and short-circuits.
- It utilizes an intelligent CC/CV algorithm to ensure a fast, safe, and efficient charging cycle.
- It is equipped with clear dual-LED indicators for at-a-glance monitoring of the charging status.
- This module is perfectly designed for charging single-cell 3.7V Li-Ion and Li-Po batteries.
- Its compact and high-precision design allows for seamless integration into any electronics project.
How to Change Charging Current (RPROG Table)
The charging current of the TP4056 module is set by the onboard resistor labeled RPROG (or R3). You can change the charging current by replacing this surface-mount resistor with one of the values below, based on your battery's capacity.
| RPROG Resistor Value |
Approx. Charging Current |
Best For |
| 10 kΩ |
130 mA |
Small Li-Po pouch cells |
| 5 kΩ |
250 mA |
Low-capacity 3.7V cells |
| 3 kΩ |
400 mA |
Standard small DIY projects |
| 2 kΩ |
600 mA |
Medium-capacity cells |
| 1.2 kΩ (Default) |
1000 mA (1A) |
Standard 18650 Li-ion batteries |
Note: A general rule of thumb is to set the charging current to roughly 30%–50% of your battery's total capacity (e.g., ~500mA for a 1000mAh cell). Always verify your specific battery's datasheet before modifying the RPROG resistor.