Photo Interrupter Module KY-010

Photo Interrupter Module KY-010

Sensors
DET560
Part.No: KY-010
€2.00
In Stock
Immediate Dispatch
KY-010 Photo Interrupter Module with digital output and built-in LED indicator. Detects beam interruptions and outputs a digital signal — ideal for Arduino projects requiring object detection or counting.

 

The KY-010 Photo Interrupter Module (MPN: KY-010) is a digital-output optical sensor designed to detect when an object breaks the infrared beam between its emitter and receiver. The module outputs a digital HIGH/LOW signal and features a built-in LED indicator (connected to Arduino pin 13) that lights up when the beam is interrupted — making it immediately visible without extra hardware. It is part of the popular KY sensor series, widely used in Arduino starter kits and educational electronics projects.

Key Features

  • Digital Output Interface: Outputs a clean HIGH or LOW signal → easy to read directly with any microcontroller digital pin
  • Built-in LED Indicator (Pin 13): Onboard LED lights when beam is interrupted → instant visual feedback, no extra components needed
  • Sensor Interface on Pin 3: Photo interrupter sensor connected to digital pin 3 → plug-and-play with standard Arduino sketches
  • Compact Module Design: Pre-assembled PCB with all components integrated → no soldering or circuit building required
  • Simple Logic: LED ON = beam interrupted; LED OFF = beam clear → straightforward integration into detection and counting applications

Pinout & Wiring

PINSymbolDescription
1GNDGround — connect to Arduino GND
2VCCPower supply — connect to Arduino 5V
3S (Signal)Digital output — connect to Arduino digital pin 3

Wiring note: Connect VCC to 5V, GND to GND, and Signal (S) to digital pin 3 on your Arduino. The built-in LED is controlled via pin 13 in the example sketch below.

Compatibility

  • Arduino UNO / Nano / Mega: Fully compatible — 5V digital interface matches Arduino logic levels directly
  • Other 5V microcontrollers: Compatible with any 5V digital I/O platform

Typical Applications

  • Object detection: Detect when a small object passes through the sensor gap — ideal for counting items on a conveyor or production line
  • Speed measurement: Attach a slotted disc to a motor shaft and count interruptions to calculate RPM
  • Door / gate sensors: Detect open/close states in small enclosures or 3D printers
  • Educational Arduino projects: A classic first sensor experiment for students learning digital input/output
  • Alarm and warning systems: Trigger an alert LED or buzzer when the beam is broken

Technical Specifications

SpecificationValue
InterfaceDigital
Signal Pin (example sketch)Digital Pin 3
LED Pin (example sketch)Digital Pin 13 (built-in)
Sensor TypePhoto Interrupter (optical)
Output TypeDigital HIGH / LOW
MPNKY-010

Example Code (Arduino)

int Led = 13;        // define LED interface
int buttonpin = 3;  // define photo interrupter sensor interface
int val;            // define numeric variable val

void setup() {
  pinMode(Led, OUTPUT);       // LED as output
  pinMode(buttonpin, INPUT);  // sensor as input
}

void loop() {
  val = digitalRead(buttonpin); // read sensor value
  if (val == HIGH) {
    digitalWrite(Led, HIGH); // LED ON when beam interrupted
  } else {
    digitalWrite(Led, LOW);  // LED OFF when beam clear
  }
}
Package Contents: 1 × KY-010 Photo Interrupter Module
⚠ Note: This module operates at 5V logic. Do not connect directly to 3.3V-only boards (e.g., ESP32, Raspberry Pi) without a logic level converter.
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