Item specifics
Description
E18-D80NK Infrared Photoelectric Sensor Product Overview
The E18-D80NK is an integrated infrared photoelectric sensor (photoelectric switch) with both emitter and receiver in one housing. It is NPN normally open type with an adjustable detection distance of 3-80cm and a narrow directivity angle of ≤15°. The sensor operates on 5V DC and outputs a digital TTL signal (normally high, goes low when an object is detected), which can be directly connected to a microcontroller I/O pin. Response time is <2ms, current consumption <25mA, and it detects both transparent and opaque objects. Operating temperature ranges from -25℃ to +55℃. The plastic‑housed sensor has a 45cm cable, 17mm diameter, 45mm length, and weighs 38g. Available with or without Dupont connectors. Ideal for robot obstacle avoidance, conveyor counting, and automated product detection.
E18-D80NK Infrared Photoelectric Sensor Core Features
Infrared Photoelectric Detection： Emits infrared light and detects reflected light – works on both transparent and opaque objects, unaffected by object colour
NPN Normally Open Output： Output high (logic 1) normally, goes low (logic 0) when object is detected – connects directly to MCU I/O or drives a relay
Adjustable Detection Distance： 3-80cm range, adjust via potentiometer (clockwise increases distance) for different environments
Fast Response： <2ms response time, suitable for high‑speed object detection and counting
Wide Operating Voltage： 5V DC supply, output current 100mA (can drive small loads directly), current consumption <25mA
Narrow Directivity： ≤15° directionality reduces interference between adjacent sensors
Good Ambient Light Rejection： Works reliably under indoor lighting and moderate outdoor conditions (avoid direct sunlight or strong IR sources)
Durable Construction： Plastic housing, 17mm diameter, 45cm cable, built‑in LED indicator for easy setup
Two Configurations： Available without or with pre‑attached Dupont connectors for plug‑and‑play connection to MCUs or breadboards
E18-D80NK Infrared Photoelectric Sensor Applications
Robot Obstacle Avoidance： Mounted on the front of a smart car to detect obstacles and trigger stop or turn
Conveyor Counting： Count passing products, output pulse signals to a counter
Object Detection： Detect presence of workpieces on a conveyor belt to control robotic arms
Industrial Automation： Limit switching, position sensing, object‑present triggers
Automatic Washroom Devices： Touchless flush or hand dryer activation
Smart Home： Automatic doors, lighting control, security presence detection
E18-D80NK Infrared Photoelectric Sensor Key Advantages
All‑in‑One Design for Easy Mounting： Emitter and receiver integrated – no separate reflector needed, point the sensor at the target and it works
Digital Output – No ADC Required： TTL level works with any MCU’s ordinary I/O pin (8051, Arduino, STM32, ESP32) – simple and reliable
Adjustable Wide Detection Range： 3-80cm covers both close‑up and medium distances; potentiometer compensates for different object reflectivity
Fast Response for Dynamic Sensing： <2ms response time handles fast‑moving objects – perfect for real‑time robot feedback and conveyor counting
NPN Normally Open with Good Drive Capability： Low output can sink 100mA, directly driving small relays, buzzers, or LEDs – reduces external components
Good Ambient Light Rejection： Works reliably in indoor and typical factory/classroom lighting (avoid direct sunlight)
Rugged and Cost‑Effective： Plastic housing, 45cm cable for flexible wiring, affordable price – ideal for volume applications
Rich Open‑Source Examples： Many tutorials for Arduino, Raspberry Pi – beginners can quickly build obstacle‑avoiding cars or counting devices
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FAQ:
What is the E18-D80NK infrared photoelectric sensor and its key specifications?
The E18‑D80NK is a diffuse‑reflective infrared sensor that integrates an IR emitter and a phototransistor in a single compact housing. It detects objects by emitting infrared light (940 nm) and receiving the reflected signal. Key specs: operating voltage 5 V DC, adjustable sensing range from 3 cm to 80 cm (via a built‑in potentiometer), output type NPN normally open (NO), response time < 2 ms, and beam angle approximately 15 degrees. It is widely used for obstacle avoidance in smart cars, object detection in conveyor systems, and proximity sensing.
How does the E18-D80NK NPN normally open (NO) output work?
The output is an open‑collector NPN transistor. When no object is detected, the output transistor is off, and the signal line floats (high when pulled up externally). When an object enters the detection range, the output turns on, pulling the signal line low (GND). To read this with a microcontroller, you must connect a pull‑up resistor (typically 10 kΩ) between the signal line and 5 V (or 3.3 V for 3.3 V logic). The output current can sink up to 100 mA, so it can also directly drive small relays or LEDs.
How do I adjust the sensing distance of the E18-D80NK?
On the back of the sensor there is a small potentiometer. Turning it clockwise increases the detection range (up to 80 cm); turning it counter‑clockwise decreases the range (down to 3 cm). Use a small screwdriver and adjust slowly while testing with an object at the desired distance. Note that the maximum range is achievable only for large, light‑colored, flat objects. Dark or irregular surfaces will reduce the effective range.
How to connect the E18-D80NK to an Arduino or ESP32?
Wiring is simple. Connect Brown wire → 5 V, Blue wire → GND, and Black wire (signal) → any digital input pin. For Arduino Uno, add a 10 kΩ pull‑up resistor between the black wire and 5 V. For ESP32 (3.3 V logic), use a level shifter or connect the pull‑up resistor to 3.3 V to avoid damaging the GPIO. In code, read the pin with digitalRead(): LOW means an object is detected, HIGH means no object.
What is the difference between the E18-D80NK and a standard HC-SR04 ultrasonic sensor?
Both are commonly used for obstacle avoidance, but they use different technologies. The HC‑SR04 measures distance using sound waves and gives an accurate range value; the E18‑D80NK is a simple binary switch — it only tells you whether an object is present within the set threshold. The infrared sensor is faster (response < 2 ms), unaffected by acoustic noise, and works well with soft materials that absorb ultrasound. However, its detection range depends heavily on object color and reflectivity, and it struggles with transparent or very dark objects. The ultrasonic sensor works regardless of color and can provide exact distance, but is slower and larger.
Can the E18-D80NK detect transparent or black objects?
It cannot reliably detect transparent objects (glass, clear plastic) because the infrared light passes through with very little reflection. It also struggles with deep black, matte surfaces that absorb most of the IR radiation. For such materials, the effective range can drop to a few centimeters or become completely unreliable. In these cases, an ultrasonic sensor or a laser‑based time‑of‑flight sensor is a better choice.
How resistant is the E18-D80NK to ambient light interference?
The sensor uses modulated infrared light (typically at 38 kHz) and a filtered receiver that strongly rejects DC light sources (sunlight, incandescent bulbs). It works reliably in normal indoor and outdoor environments. However, strong direct sunlight or powerful halogen lamps pointed directly at the receiver can still saturate the sensor and cause false triggering. A small visor or shade over the sensor helps in very bright conditions.
What is the typical current consumption and can I power it from a battery?
The sensor draws about 25 mA to 35 mA when active, which is low enough for most battery‑powered projects. The supply voltage must be 5 V (absolute maximum 5.5 V). A 9 V battery with a 5 V regulator, a USB power bank, or two Li‑ion cells in series with a regulator all work well. For low‑power applications, you can switch the sensor on only when a measurement is needed.
Can I use multiple E18-D80NK sensors together without mutual interference?
Yes, but crosstalk can occur if two sensors face each other or their beams overlap. The modulated IR signals can occasionally beat, causing erratic outputs. To avoid this, space sensors at least 5 cm apart, angle them slightly away from each other, and enable them one at a time in software (by powering them sequentially or reading them one by one with a short delay). In practice, many smart‑car designs use three sensors (left, center, right) without major issues when aligned forward and separated.
What are the most typical applications of the E18-D80NK?
The sensor is a staple in Arduino smart car obstacle avoidance, robot proximity sensing, assembly line object counting, automatic door triggers, hand sanitizer dispensers, and product‑on‑belt detection. Its simple binary output, easy adjustment, low cost, and fast response make it ideal for education, prototyping, and low‑cost automation where a precise distance value is not required.