Infrared

Infrared Sensors

Infrared Sensors (IR) are electronic photocell devices that can detect and measure IR radiation in the surrounding environment.  Active IR sensors both emit and detect IR radiation and require two parts: a light-emitting diode (LED) and a corresponding receiver. Passive IR (PIR) sensors only detect infrared radiation and do not emit it from an LED.

Passive IR sensors are most commonly used in motion-based detection, such as in-home security systems. When a moving object that generates IR radiation enters the sensing range of the detector, the difference in IR levels between the two pyroelectric elements is measured.

IR detectors are filtered to detect Infrared light and aren't good at detecting visible light. If you want to sense visible light, you want to look at photocells.

We stock a range of Infrared sensors, components, remote controls, line sensors, breakout boards, proximity sensors, IR transmitters/receivers, and photo interrupters.

IR radiation was discovered by an Astronomer named William Herchel in 1800!