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Light Dependant Resistor

A light dependent resistor (LDR) is a resistor whose resistance decreases when light intensity increases. LDRs are made of semiconductor materials that have high resistance due to few free electrons. When light photons hit the material, electrons gain energy and can move freely, lowering resistance. LDRs have many uses including in light meters, streetlights, alarms, and interactive projects that respond to light levels. They can be interfaced with Arduino, with the LDR connected to an analog pin to measure light levels and trigger outputs.

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47 views

Light Dependant Resistor

A light dependent resistor (LDR) is a resistor whose resistance decreases when light intensity increases. LDRs are made of semiconductor materials that have high resistance due to few free electrons. When light photons hit the material, electrons gain energy and can move freely, lowering resistance. LDRs have many uses including in light meters, streetlights, alarms, and interactive projects that respond to light levels. They can be interfaced with Arduino, with the LDR connected to an analog pin to measure light levels and trigger outputs.

Uploaded by

nachiketagm
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Light Dependant Resistor

A light dependant resistor also know as a LDR, photoresistor, photoconductor


or photocell, is a resistor whose resistance increases or decreases depending
on the amount of light intensity. LDRs (Light Dependant Resistors) are a very
useful tool in a light/dark circuits. A LDRs can have a variety of resistance and
functions. For example it can be used to turn on a light when the LDR is in
darkness or to turn off a light when the LDR is in light. It can also work the
other way around so when the LDR is in light it turns on the circuit and when
its in darkness the resistance increase and disrupts the circuit.

How it Works
The way an LDR works is that they are made of
many semi-conductive materials with high resistance. The reason they have a high resistance is
that are very few electrons that are free and able
to move because they are held in a crystal lattice
and are unable to move. When light falls on the
semi conductive material it absorbs the light
photons and the energy is transferred to the
electrons, which allow them to break free from
the crystal lattice and conduct electricity and
lower the resistance of the LDR.

Uses

Light dependant resistors have many uses, many of the uses


have to do with objects that have to work in certain levels of
light. Some of the uses of the LDR are in photographic light
meters, streetlights and various alarms light burglar alarms,
fire alarms and smoke alarms.

arduino

Interfacing with Arduino


A light sensor or LDR can be very easily interfaced with an
Arduino. The light sensor is connected to the analogue inputs of
the Arduino. One of the pins of the LDR is connected to the
ground while the other is connected to one of the 5 analogue in
pins. Depending on the function of the LDR it may need another
resistor connected to it. Say for instance if the LDR is controlling a
LED, if it allows to much current to get through it might cause the
LED to blow up. This is the reason for another resister being
needed. And of course the Arduino will need to be programmed
in order for there to be an output from the input of the LDR.

Interactive Project
This project is a little robot which
incorperates both a light and sonar sensor.
Inside it has a process which interperates
the information the sensors gather. The light
sensors have 2 functions, they can either
help the robot to seek out light or to run
away from it.

References
Technology Student, Light Dependant Resistors, Veiwed 30 August 2010,
<http://www.technologystudent.com/elec1/ldr1.htm>
REUK, Light Dependent Resistor, Veiwed 29 August 2010,
<http://www.reuk.co.uk/Light-Dependent-Resistor.htm>
Radio Electronics, Light dependent resistor or photo resistor, Veiwed 30 August 2010,
<http://www.radio-electronics.com/info/data/resistor/ldr/light_dependent_resistor.php>
ERT, Light Dependent Resistor, LDR, Vewied 30 August 2010,
<http://www.electronics-radio.com/articles/electronic_components/resistors/light-dependent
-resistor-ldr.php>

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