Talk:Opto-isolator

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[edit] Slotted/reflective optocouplers

As I understand it, photointerrupters (transmissive photosensors) and photoreflectors (reflective photosensors) are sometimes referred to as slotted and reflective optocouplers, respectively. They are used to build incremental optical rotary encoders; these, again, are used in ball-type computer mice. However, these things are not what one would usually think of when talking about an optocoupler or optoisolator. Until someone finds the time to explain this properly (sorry, I don't have it right now), the sections referring to these topics are simply confusing. I have therefore removed them from the article and put them here:

Several types of opto-couplers. The top left and far right detect the presence of an object in between them. They are interruptible. The middle one detects reflections from objects in front of it. The two on the bottom left are both opto-isolators.
Several types of opto-couplers. The top left and far right detect the presence of an object in between them. They are interruptible. The middle one detects reflections from objects in front of it. The two on the bottom left are both opto-isolators.
  • The classical ball computer mouse is a common application, using infrared emitter LEDs and phototransistors to form optocouplers. The ball of the mouse turns a pair of optical encoder wheels. These wheels periodically block the optocouplers and thereby translate the motion of the mouse into a sequence of pulses. These pulses are then used to record the motion. The principle of operation does not require infrared light, but the infrared sensor is less sensitive to interference from common flickering visible light sources such as fluorescent lamps and CRT displays.

--128.130.60.86 11:35, 26 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Schematic

This article could use an image of the schematic representation of an opto-isolator to better get the point across.--Hooperbloob 01:20, 8 Jun 2005 (UTC)

How about a circuit? - Omegatron 14:53, Jun 8, 2005 (UTC)

Image:Optocouple circuit.png

  • Hey, that looks great. If some part identifiers are added then we can reference them in the discussion.--Hooperbloob 16:37, 8 Jun 2005 (UTC)
Ok. I did it right, right? Output will be high or low depending on switch. - Omegatron 17:43, Jun 8, 2005 (UTC)
Added some ugly numbers. - Omegatron 14:27, Jun 15, 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Merge with Optical isolator

These two articles seem to cover the same thing. -- Bob Mellish 18:45, 7 October 2005 (UTC)

agreed. — Omegatron 15:04, 4 November 2005 (UTC)