DFRobot
IR Break Beam Sensor (50cm)
An infrared break-beam sensor pair for simple, reliable motion detection. The emitter sends a beam of invisible IR light to the receiver — when an object pas...
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An infrared break-beam sensor pair for simple, reliable motion detection. The emitter sends a beam of invisible IR light to the receiver — when an object passes between them and breaks the beam, the receiver outputs a signal. Works up to 50 cm at 5 V with a fast response time under 2 ms.
The compact 20 × 10 × 9 mm modules fit easily into tight spaces. The NPN normally-open output can directly drive a relay (up to 100 mA) or connect to any Arduino or microcontroller GPIO pin.
Key Features
- 50 cm Detection Range – At 5 V (20 cm at 3.3 V)
- Fast Response – Under 2 ms response time
- NPN Normally Open Output – Up to 100 mA, can directly drive a relay
- Compact Size – 20 × 10 × 9 mm per module
- Wide Temperature Range – −25 °C to 60 °C
Specifications
- Detection Distance – 50 cm at 5 V, 20 cm at 3.3 V
- Detection Method – Through-beam (non-transparent objects)
- Working Voltage – DC 3.0–5 V
- Working Current – 25 mA
- Output Mode – NPN normally open
- Output Current – 100 mA max
- Receiving Angle – Under 10°
- Response Time – 2 ms
- Operating Temperature – −25 °C to 60 °C
- Module Dimensions – 20 × 10 × 9 mm
- Cable Length – 25 cm
- Environment – Indoor use (not waterproof)
Wiring
- Transmitter – Red wire → 5 V DC, Black wire → GND
- Receiver – Red wire → 5 V DC, Black wire → GND, White wire → Output (NPN)
Ideal For
- Motion and object detection
- Speed measurement and lap timing
- Counting and inventory systems
- Robotics competitions
Package Contents
- 1× IR break beam receiver
- 1× IR break beam transmitter
Jargon buster
Plain-language definitions for the technical terms used above.
- break-beam
- A sensing method where an emitter sends a beam of light to a receiver, and an object is detected when it blocks the beam. It is useful for tripwires, counters, and object detection where you need a clear interrupted/not-interrupted signal.
- DC
- DC means direct current, where electricity flows in one constant direction, as supplied by batteries, USB ports and many plug-pack power supplies. When a product specifies DC, it runs from a DC supply rather than mains AC, so you need to provide the correct voltage and polarity.
- GND
- GND is the ground or reference connection (0 V) for a circuit. When connecting two devices together, their grounds must be joined so both agree on what counts as a low or high signal.
- GPIO
- General-purpose input/output pins are microcontroller pins you can set in software to read signals, switch devices on and off, or connect to peripherals. The number of GPIO pins matters because it limits how many buttons, LEDs, sensors, and other parts you can wire directly to the board.
- microcontroller
- A microcontroller is a small computer on a single chip that runs a stored program and controls connected inputs and outputs such as buttons, sensors, displays and communication interfaces. In a device built around one, it is the part that executes the code and coordinates the device's behaviour.
- Motion detection
- The ability to sense that something has moved, either by comparing successive camera frames or by using a dedicated sensor such as a PIR (infrared) or radar module. When a product lists motion detection, movement can be used as a trigger so a system only acts or records when there is activity rather than running continuously.
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Brands
Sensors & Input
Supplier page — dfrobot.com
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