DEPARTMENT OF TECHNICAL

EDUCATION,A.P.
Name : B.RAJARAO
Designation : Lecturer
Branch : Electronics & communication Engg
Institute : Govt. Polytechnic, Visakhapatnam
Year/Semester : III Semester
Subject : Electronics -I
Subject Code : EE-305
Topic : Special devices
Duration : 50Mts.
Sub Topic : Opto coupler
Teaching Aids : Diagrams
1
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 Recap

• Already we know about the

• LED working principle.

• working principle of photodiode.

• working principle of phototransistor.

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 Objectives

• Upon completion of this period the student will

be able to know

• Know about the construction of optocoupler.

• Know about the working of optocoupler.

• Know about the applications of optocoupler.

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 Do you know

• How the remote is functioning.

• How the remote switching is possible.

• How the RPM is measured in a Stepper motors used in

various applications.

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 Introduction

• An optocoupler (or an
optoelectronic coupler) is
basically an interface
between two circuits
which operate at (usually)
different voltage levels.
optocoupler

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 Introduction

• The advantage of an
optocoupler is the
electrical isolation
between the input and the
output circuits. With an
optocoupler, the only
contact between the input
and output is a beam of
light.

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 Introduction

• Because of this it is possible to

have an insulation resistance
between the two circuits in the
thousands of megaohms.
Isolation like this is useful in high
voltage applications.

EE-305.55 7
 Working principal of optocoupler

• An optocoupler
combining a LED and a
photodiode in a single
package is shown in the
fig. It has a LED on the
input side and a
photodiode on the output
optocoupler
side.

EE-305.55 8
 Working principal of optocoupler

• The left source voltage

and the series resistor set
up a current through the
LED. Then the light from
the LED impinges on the
photo-diode, and this sets
up a reverse current in
the output circuit. optocoupler

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 Working principal of optocoupler

• This reverse current

develops a voltage
across the output resistor
R. The output voltage
then equals the output
supply voltage V2 minus
the voltage drop across optocoupler
the load resistor R.

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 Working principal of optocoupler

• When the input voltage is

varied, the amount of light
fluctuates. This means
that output voltage varies
in step with the input
voltage. The device can
couple an input signal to
the output circuit. optocoupler

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 Working principal of Optocoupler

• Fig shows a LED driving

a phototransistor. This is
much more sensitive opto
coupler than the LED-
photodiode discussed
above.

• The idea is straight LED driving Phototransistor

forward. Any change in
the input voltage to the
LED changes current in
the LED.
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 Working principal of Optocoupler

• It causes change in the

current through the
phototransistor which, in
turn, produces a changing
voltage across the
collector-emitter terminals.

• Thus, a signal is coupled

from input circuit to the
output circuit.

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 Slotted optocoupler

• The device shown in the

fig is known as a
optocoupler, and has a INPUT OUTPUT

slot moulded into the

package between the
LED light source and the
phototransistor light
sensor.

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 Slotted optocoupler

• The slot houses

transparent windows, so
that the LED light can
normally freely reach the
INPUT
face of the transistor,. OUTPUT

• But can be interrupted or

blocked via opaque
object placed within the
slot.

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 Applications of opto coupler

• It can be operated as an electronic switch. Normally the

device remains off, when a current pulse is applied to the
LED , it causes the photo transistor to switch ON, for the
duration of the pulse.

• It can be used as linear coupler in which the output

signal increases and decreases linearly about a constant
bias level.

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 Applications of opto coupler

• Due to high electrical isolation between the devices it

can be used to couple a signal from a low voltage circuit
to trigger a high voltage circuit.

• Used in biomedical engineering applications. Where

good isolation is required

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 Applications of opto coupler

• The slotted optocoupler can thus be employed in a

variety of presence detecting applications, including
end-of-tape detection, limit switching, and liquid level
detection.

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 SUMMARY

• The opto coupler consists of a one light emitting device

and one photo device.

• The opto coupler generally uses infra red LED aslight

emitting device and Photo transistor asone photo device.

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 Quiz

1) The opto couplers are popularly used in industrial

environment to

(c) Avoid Collusion.

(e) Avoid Noise.

(g) Provide electrical isolation.

(i) Minimize power consumption.

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 Frequently asked questions

• 1) Explain working of opto coupler with the help of relevant

diagrams .

• 2) List the applications of opto coupler.

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