MitchElectronics
Light Sense
£3.99
20 items in stock
The Light Sense is an electronic kit that lets you build a light detector module with a selectable sensitivity. This kit is excellent for makers needing to add a light-sensing module to their design and ideal for beginners looking to get some soldering practice.
- Product Code
- LIGHT-SENSE
- Manufacturer
- MitchElectronics
- Manufacturer Part Number
- LIGHT-SENSE
- Category
- Sensor Kits
- Country of Origin
- United Kingdom
RoHS: YesREACH: YesCE: YesUKCA: Yes
Overview
Product Description
The Light Sense is a self-build DIY electronics kit that includes everything needed to detect ambient light. Powered from voltages between 3V and 12V, the Light Sense has two outputs; one digital and one analogue.
The digital output is connected to the output of the onboard comparator that produces either a logical 1 or 0 depending on the presence of light, and the Light Sense potentiometer is used to determine the sensitivity of the sensor. The analogue output is a voltage that is proportional to the amount of light falling onto the sensor, and this can be useful for measuring ambient light levels.
While the board comes with components suitable for most applications, it is perfectly possible to change the components to adjust its operation. For example, changing the size of the sensor series resistor can increase the sensitivity of the sensor.
The digital output is connected to the output of the onboard comparator that produces either a logical 1 or 0 depending on the presence of light, and the Light Sense potentiometer is used to determine the sensitivity of the sensor. The analogue output is a voltage that is proportional to the amount of light falling onto the sensor, and this can be useful for measuring ambient light levels.
While the board comes with components suitable for most applications, it is perfectly possible to change the components to adjust its operation. For example, changing the size of the sensor series resistor can increase the sensitivity of the sensor.
Resources
Instructions & Documentation
Technical
Product Specifications
- Assembly
- Kit form
- Prebuilt
No
- PCB Dimensions
- 40mm x 20mm
- Mounting Holes
Yes
- Component Count
- 9
- Battery Included
No
- Operating Voltage
- 3V to 12V
- Operating Frequency
- N/A
- Output Voltage Digital
- VCC – 1.7V
In the box
Included With This Product
| Name | Quantity | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| LM358 | 1 | U1 |
| 8 DIP Socket | 1 | U1 |
| Photodiode | 1 | D1 |
| 1KΩ Resistor | 1 | R2 |
| 10KΩ Resistor | 2 | R1, R3 |
| 100nF Capacitor | 1 | C1 |
| 10KΩ Potentiometer | 1 | RV1 |
| 4-Way Socket | 1 | J1 |
| J1 | 1 | — |
More information
Applications
- The Light Sense is excellent for applications that need to detect ambient light levels, and react accordingly. For example, automatic lights that turn on at night can use this kit to detect outdoor ambient light levels, and the onboard potentiometer can be used to present the trigger point. A more advanced use of this kit would be a backlight control for displays. The analogue output of this kit can be used to read the ambient light level and set the backlight level of a display so that the display maintains the same relative brightness.
- Education and training – Useful for teaching light sensing, photoresistors or photodetectors and analogue sensor outputs, while providing practical experience with through-hole soldering, component identification and PCB assembly.
- Project integration – Suitable for projects such as Burglar Alarm, Automatic Lights, Lux Sensor, and other designs where the following function is useful: Light sensing module with analogue and thresholded digital outputs for measuring and reacting to illumination
More information
Notes
- Electrical specifications are nominal and may vary with component tolerances, supply voltage, load and operating conditions.
- The product is supplied in kit form and requires soldering and assembly before use.
- Check component values and observe the polarity or orientation of ICs, diodes, LEDs, transistors and electrolytic capacitors before applying power.
- Sensor thresholds and analogue readings can vary between components and environments; calibrate the module for the intended application.