Providing design engineers with a transmissive sensing device for office and automation applications, TT electronics Optek Technology has developed a slotted infrared optical switch for non-contact interruptive object sensing. Designated the OPB420 Series, the switch includes an infrared LED and phototransistor, with both devices housed in a right angle plastic package. This configuration allows for an opaque object to block the light beam from multiple directions, including the X-, Y-, and Z-axes.

"The OPB420 Series device is one of the industry's only slotted optical switch that provides protection from low level light conditions and immunity from background irradiance," said Alan Bennett, vice president of sales and marketing for OPTEK Technology. "This switch meets the growing demand from customers searching for a
transmissive optical switch that provides increased flexibility in a variety of output configurations."

Typical applications for the OPB420 Series include low paper tray sensors, corner sensors, door sensors, tray sensors, printers, copy machines, paper and mail sorting equipment, amusement gaming equipment and medical equipment.

The OPB420 Series switch features an 880nm wavelength infrared LED with a power dissipation of 100mW. The input diode's maximum forward current is 50mA and maximum forward voltage is 1.7V (If=20mA). Reverse DC voltage is 2V, with reverse current of 100mA (Vr=2.0V). Electrical performance of the output phototransistor is characterized at collector-emitter voltages of 24V and 30V and power dissipation of 100mW. Operating temperature range is -40degreesC to +85degreesC.