SKU: TH2049
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Reflective Infrared IR Optical Sensor with 470Ω & 10K Resistors is a simple reflective sensing device in a plastic casing that combines two elements: an IR LED and an IR phototransistor. Turn on the LED, aim the sensor at a nearby target, and measure the reflected infrared light to detect light-versus-dark surfaces or the presence of an object.
It works especially well with high-contrast targets. White or light-colored objects tend to reflect IR back to the sensor, while black or dark surfaces absorb more of it. If no object is close enough to reflect the beam, the sensor will not trigger either, making it useful for basic proximity and reflectivity detection.
This sensor is breadboard friendly, easy to solder, and includes the two commonly used support resistors: a 470 ohm resistor for the IR LED and a 10K resistor that can be used as a pull-up for the phototransistor output.
This reflective IR sensor is a handy choice for simple object detection and motion-sensing tasks in DIY electronics, robotics, and embedded projects. Typical uses include pass-by detection, basic hand sensing, reflective markers, and reading striped encoder wheels.
Because the phototransistor is fast enough for rotation sensing, it can also be used in RPM and tachometer projects. Adafruit guide examples show it being used in a Pro Trinket tachometer and in a reversible floppy drive modification for detecting rotation/index events using reflective tape patterns.
Best performance is typically around 5mm from a light-colored object, though distances of roughly 2mm to 10mm can work fairly well depending on LED brightness, target color, surface finish, and alignment.
This is a bare sensor component rather than a fully assembled breakout module, so some wiring and resistor placement is required in your circuit. The exact response will vary with target material, ambient conditions, and mechanical setup.
For reliable results, keep the target close and test with your actual surface or encoder pattern before final installation.
It is a simple reflective infrared sensor with an IR LED and phototransistor, used to detect nearby light-vs-dark surfaces. Typical uses include object detection, simple hand detection, rotary encoder sensing, and RPM/tachometer projects.
The IR LED shines light toward a nearby surface and the phototransistor responds to the reflected IR. Light-colored or white surfaces reflect more and are easier to detect, while dark or black surfaces absorb more IR and may not trigger the sensor.
It works best with a light-colored object at about 5mm distance. In practice, around 2mm to 10mm can work fairly well, though results depend on LED brightness, surface reflectivity, and shininess.
Yes, it includes a 470 ohm resistor for biasing the IR LED and a 10K resistor that can be used as a pull-up for the phototransistor. Some projects may use a microcontroller's internal pull-up instead of the included 10K resistor.
Yes, the supplier notes it is fast enough to measure RPM and it is used in the Pro Trinket Tachometer guide. It can also be used with black-and-white striped encoder wheels or other rotating parts with a light/dark target pattern.
The package includes the reflective IR sensor, one 470 ohm resistor, and one 10K resistor. The sensor is described as breadboard-friendly and easy to solder.
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