LIGHT SENSOR KIT

Contents:

1 x PCB
1 x BC548 transistor

+
1 x Mini-LDR pu
t
t
Ou
1 x 1K resistor
1 x 470R resistor

E
1 x Standard LED

–
ut
In p

1 x 47K potentiometer
1 x Battery connector

This general purpose light sensing circuit uses a mini light

dependent resistor (LDR) to detect changes in the level of
light. It is designed for use with a 3V - 9V battery. When
the components are connected as shown below, the LED
will light up when the sensor is in darkness. The
sensitivity of the circuit can be set by adjusting the
potentiometer.

• In bright conditions the LDR

47K LED
has a low resistance and so
Output

(flat side facing down)

the transistor is switched off.
The LED is therefore off. (brown,
Input

black, (yellow, violet, brown)

red)
C
• In dark conditions the LDR B
has a high resistance and so E Transistor
the transistor is switched on. LDR
The LED therefore lights up.

To make the LED light up when the sensor is in

bright light the positions of the LDR and the
LDR
potentiometer should be swapped. A different
Output

value potentiometer may be needed, depending

on the sensitivity required.
Input

C
B

47K pot. 47K

Pot.

1K
470R