Datasheet

Using a Photocell

Analog Voltage Reading Method

The easiest way to measure a resistive sensor is to connect one end to Power and the other to a pull-down resistor to

ground. Then the point between the fixed pulldown resistor and the variable photocell resistor is connected to the

analog input of a microcontroller such as an Arduino (shown)

For this example I'm showing it with a 5V supply but note that you can use this with a 3.3v supply just as easily. In this

configuration the analog voltage reading ranges from 0V (ground) to about 5V (or about the same as the power supply

voltage).

The way this works is that as the resistance of the photocell decreases, the total resistance of the photocell and the

pulldown resistor decreases from over 600KΩ to 10KΩ. That means that the current flowing through both

resistors

increases

which in turn causes the voltage across the fixed 10KΩ resistor to increase. It's quite a trick!