Sign In SHOP BLOG LEARN FORUMS 0 Items VIDEOS SENSORS / LIGHT/COLOR/PHOTO / PHOTO TRANSISTOR LIGHT SENSOR Photo Transistor Light Sensor PRODUCT ID: 2831 IN STOCK ADD TO CART 1 1-9 10-99 100+ ADD TO WISHLIST DESCRIPTION TECHNICAL DETAILS DESCRIPTION This Photo Transistor Light Sensor is a simple sensor that detects ambient light. It's kind of the opposite of an LED - when light hits the little chip inside, it induces current to flow from the long pin to the short pin. This sensor has a built-in optical filter (probably IR filter) so it'll do a fair job of simulating light levels as the human eye does. Basically, connect the pin connected to the 'thicker' part of the sensor to 3-15VDC or so, and the thinner-part pin through a ~1K-10K series resistor to ground. When its dark, there's almost no current flowing through the sensor or resistor and the analog voltage is near ground. When there's light near the sensor, the current through the resistor will increase, raising the voltage. You can adjust the series resistor to get the voltage range you need, and measure the analog voltage with a microcontroller. If you're not getting any readings, try flipping the sensor around. These are, essentially, replacements for CdS photocells, but are RoHS compliant. New Products 2/3/2016 TECHNICAL DETAILS Datasheet Sensor Dimensions: 5mm x 5.3mm / 0.20" x 0.21" Weight: MAY WE ALSO SUGGEST... Adafruit TSL2561 Digital Luminosity/Lux/Light Sensor Sensor pack 900 IR (Infrared) Receiver Sensor Adafruit TSL2591 High Dynamic Range Digital Light Photo cell (CdS photoresistor) Flora Lux Sensor - TSL2561 Light Sensor Reflective Infrared IR Optical Sensor with 470 and Hall effect sensor Adafruit APDS9960 Proximity, Light, RGB, and Miniature Reflective Infrared Optical Sensors - 5 Pack PNP Bipolar Transistors (PN2907) - 10 pack Bipolar Transistor Kit - 5 x PN2222 NPN and 5 x DISTRIBUTORS EXPAND TO SEE DISTRIBUTORS CONTACT SUPPORT DISTRIBUTORS EDUCATORS JOBS "An expert is a person who has made all the mistakes that can be made in a very narrow field" - Niels Bohr FAQ SHIPPING & RETURNS TERMS OF SERVICE PRIVACY & LEGAL ABOUT US ENGINEERED IN NYC Adafruit (R) 4.9