RE: Maximum source current from GPIO? Can you drive opamp from GPIO?

Kenneth — Tue, 06 Oct 2020 11:43:34 GMT

Typically I recommend using a gpio to control a mosfet to feed external circuitry (high power leds, motors and ic's) you may want to control power on/off. For instance some of these components also require decoupling capacitors, so even if the active current is ~500uA, the inrush/reverse current when turning on/off may be substantially higher.

In terms of what current you can sink and source from a gpio that is stated in the electrical specification chapter for the gpio peripheral:
https://infocenter.nordicsemi.com/topic/ps_nrf52810/gpio.html#unique_1679477596

For instance if VDD is >=2.7V, and the GPIO is configured with high drive, then it can deliver up to 5mA in logic high. Note that the voltage out then may be as low as VDD-0.4V, to avoid the voltage drop through the GPIO I recommend to use a mosfet transistor instead.

Best regards,
Kenneth