Saturday, 24 May 2014

optoelectronics - Is it possible to use an optointerrupter as a optoisolator?


I currently can't buy an optoisolator, so I was wondering if I could wrap a optointerrupter in tape to shield it from light and use that as an optoisolator. Is this possible?



Answer



Don't have an opto-isolator? Make one.


All transistors are photo-electric until put in a can or some opaque plastic. If you have a small signal metal can transistor you can cut or file the top off and super-glue it to an LED.


LED superglued to transistor.


LED superglued to 'photo-transistor'.


Heatshrink cover.



The finished article with heatshrink sleeving.


The transistor is a 35-year old BC108. LED is a generic red - probably same vintage.


Watch out for light getting in the back of the LED. Current transfer may not be very good so you may need to 'Darlington' the output.


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