Basic Visible and Infrared Light Detectors

This page features basic, visible light photo-detector circuits that can be used to
detect trains or other light blocking objects.
The sensors used for these circuits are silicon phototransistors or Cadmium Sulfide
(CdS) photocells. Both of these sensors allow less current to flow when they are dark.
(Phototransistors change their 'conductance' while photocells change their resistance
depending on the intensity of the light falling on them.)
The phototransistor or photocell would normally be placed between the rails in the
circuits on this page.
The Photo-detectors on this page use LM339 (Quad) or LM393 (Dual) voltage
comparator, integrated circuits to detect the change in voltage across the sensor. For
information on Voltage Comparators please see the Voltage Comparator
Information page at this site.
All of the circuits on this page are configured to have the LED's turn on when the
sensor element is dark (covered by a train.) The LED's can also be made to turn off
when a train is detected. This will be explained in the NOTES sections of this page.
The supply voltage for the circuits is specified as regulated 12 volts DC but this can
be changed if needed. In some cases the values of some resistors may have to be
adjusted to compensate.

- Section 1 -
Visible Light Photo-Detector Circuits
Basic Phototransistor Detector
In this circuit, when the light falling on the phototransistor (Q1) is blocked, its
conductance will decrease and the voltage across Q1 will rise. When the voltage rises
above 1/2 of the supply voltage the output of the comparator will turn ON and the
LED will be lit.

Basic Phototransistor Detector
The only critical part of this circuit is the value of resistor R1 which in most cases
can be 470K ohms but may have to be increase if the room is dark or decreased if the
room is well lit.
Increasing the value of R1 will cause the sensitivity of the sensor to decrease. This
may be necessary when the light falling on the cell is not very strong or shadows can
affect the phototransistor.
There are a number of phototransistors sizes and case styles. The smaller cases will
be easier to hide but connecting wires may be more difficult.

Basic CdS Photocell Detector
In this circuit, when the light falling on the photocell (PC 1) is blocked, its resistance
will increase and the voltage across PC 1 will rise. When the voltage rises above 1/2
of the supply voltage the output of the comparator will turn ON and the LED will be
lit.

Basic Photocell Detector
Due to wide variations in CdS photocells it is usually best to install the cell and then
measure its resistance under normal lighting conditions. A resistor with a value that is
approximately 3 to 5 times the measured resistance of the cell is then selected for R1.
For example; If the cell resistance is measured at 400 ohms then a 1200 to 2200 ohms
resistor would be used.
Increasing the value of R1 will cause the sensitivity of the sensor to decrease. This
may be necessary when the light falling on the cell is not very strong or shadows can
affect the photocell.
This circuit can be adapted for use in dark areas by placing a small light above the
photocell.

- Section 2 -
Infrared Light Photo-Detector Circuit
Basic Phototransistor Detector
In this circuit the light falling on the phototransistor will be from an Infrared Light
Emitting Diode (IrLED) but otherwise it is the same as the phototransistor circuit
shown above.
When the light falling on the phototransistor (Q1) is blocked, its conductance will
decrease and the voltage across Q1 will rise. When the voltage rises above 1/2 of the
supply voltage the output of the comparator will turn ON and the LED will be lit.

Basic Infrared Detector
For information on calculating the value of current limiting resistors for the IrLED
please see the Current Limiting Resistor Calculator page at this site.
Follow this link for more information on this type of detector see: Across The Track
Infrared Detectors.

Is The IR LED Working?
Infrared light is not visible to the naked eye, however, a digital camera can be used
to view the IR light if it does not have an IR blocking filter on the lens.
The image may not be very bright but close-up or in a darkened area the light should
be visible on the camera's display screen.

- Section 3 -
A Practical Quad Photo-Detector Circuit
The next circuit is for a practical 4 photo-detector circuit using an LM339 Quad
comparator IC. Although phototransistors are shown, photocells could also be used
with the corresponding change in values for resistors R1 through R4.
This circuit can also be used for infrared detector circuits as shown above.

Quad Photocell Detector
The values for resistors R7 through R10 can also be changed depending on the
required LED current. For information on calculating the value of current limiting
resistors please see the Current Limiting Resistor Calculator page at this site.
A printed circuit board with 8 comparator type photo-detectors can be seen at this
link. 8 Photo-Detector Circuit Board

This High Impedance Test Voltmeter circuit can also be used for testing
phototransistors installations.

Phototransistor Detector Relay Driver
By adding a PNP transistor to the basic detector circuit larger currents can be
controlled. In this example a small relay is operated by the detector.

Relay Driver
Using Multiple Phototransistors
More than one phototransitor can be connected to a single voltage comparator. This
would allow transistors to be placed along a section of track to indicate when a train is
anywhere in that section.
As long as the train is long enough to cover two sensors the circuit will continuously
detect the train.

Multiple Sensors
Circuit 2 on the schematic is simpler but the phototransistors must have better
lighting than Circuit 1 to get good results.


LM339 Data sheet - National Semiconductor (.pdf)


LM393 Data sheet - National Semiconductor (.pdf)

Pinout Diagram For Various Devices.


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Please Read Before Using These Circuit Ideas
The explanations for the circuits on these pages cannot hope to cover every
situation on every layout. For this reason be prepared to do some experimenting
to get the results you want. This is especially true of circuits such as the "Across
Track Infrared Detection" circuits and any other circuit that relies on other than
direct electronic inputs, such as switches.
If you use any of these circuit ideas, ask your parts supplier for a copy of the
manufacturers data sheets for any components that you have not used before.
These sheets contain a wealth of data and circuit design information that no
electronic or print article could approach and will save time and perhaps damage
to the components themselves. These data sheets can often be found on the web
site of the device manufacturers.
Although the circuits are functional the pages are not meant to be full
descriptions of each circuit but rather as guides for adapting them for use by
others. If you have any questions or comments please send them to the email
address on the Circuit Index page.

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07 March, 2010