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optical switches — Parallax Forums

optical switches

ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
edited 2001-09-26 20:29 in General Discussion
Hello,

I know that this is a little off the topic but I need to use optical
switches for my robot. I was wondering if anyone knew how to hook an optical
switch. I have many of them with three and four wires. Any help would be of
great use. Specifically, what wires are connected to where. Any other
information would be of great assistance. Thanks in advance.
Travis

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Comments

  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-09-26 05:27
    What do you mean by optical switch? Not sure if you mean opto-coupler,
    opto-interrupter, etc... Do you have a manufacturer and part number off the
    devices you have?
    Original Message

    > I know that this is a little off the topic but I need to use optical
    > switches for my robot. I was wondering if anyone knew how to hook an
    optical
    > switch. I have many of them with three and four wires. Any help would be
    of
    > great use. Specifically, what wires are connected to where. Any other
    > information would be of great assistance. Thanks in advance.
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-09-26 20:29
    --- In basicstamps@y..., "Travis M" <travis_m25@h...> wrote:
    > Hello,
    >
    > I know that this is a little off the topic but I need to use
    optical
    > switches for my robot. I was wondering if anyone knew how to hook
    an optical
    > switch. I have many of them with three and four wires. Any help
    would be of
    > great use. Specifically, what wires are connected to where. Any
    other
    > information would be of great assistance. Thanks in advance.
    > Travis

    Hi,

    I assume you are talking about a photocell, where you pass something
    in front of the optic and you get a signal out (Diffuse scan). If
    so, then the usual configuration, in my experience, is

    Brown=VDD (+24v)
    Blue=VSS (0v)
    Black=signal N/O or N/C
    White=signal N/C or N/O

    In some instances you may have a teach wire which allows you to set
    the sensitivity.

    Another type is retroflective where wires are the same but requires
    something in front of a reflector to get the signal out.

    Hope this helps

    JON
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