TCRT5000 Reflective IR Optical Sensor

The TCRT5000 is an IR sensor unit.

• It has both a Photodiode and a Photo-transistor coupled in its package.
• The photo diode has two pins (Anode and Cathode), which can be used to generate an IR signal.
• Similarly, the Photo transistor also has two pins (Collector and Emitter) which can be used to read the IR signal that is reflected back.
• The TCRT5000 IR sensor can be used to detect the presence of an object or any other reflective surface in front of it.
• This is commonly used in Line follower or maze solving robots, obstacle detection, and avoidance programs, etc.
• Sensing distance: 12mm Package height: 7mm Reverse voltage: 5V Forward current: 60mA Emitter power dissipation: 100mW Collector emitter voltage: 70V Emitter collector voltage: 5V Collector current: 100mA Sensor total power dissipation: 200mW Operating temperature: -25°C to +85°C To use the sensor, the photo diode is powered through a current limiting resistor of value 220R, and the phototransistor is also grounded through a 10K resistor.
• The transistor does not have a base pin because the biasing of the transistor is controlled by the amount of IR light it receives.
• So, whenever the transistor receives the IR light, it biases the junction and logic level at the output changes.