TEMT6000 ambient light sensor: specs
A module built around the Vishay TEMT6000 silicon NPN phototransistor, sensitive to visible light much like the human eye. It gives an analog level that follows the light level.
Specs
| Spec | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Collector emitter voltage VCEO (absolute maximum) | 6 V | source Absolute Maximum Ratings (p.1) |
| Collector current IC (absolute maximum) | 20 mA | source Absolute Maximum Ratings (p.1) |
| Collector light current IPCE at 20 lx | 3.5 uA min, 10 uA typ, 16 uA max (VCE 5 V, CIE illuminant A) | source Basic Characteristics (p.2) |
| Collector light current IPCE at 100 lx | 50 uA typ (VCE 5 V, CIE illuminant A) | source Basic Characteristics (p.2) |
| Collector dark current | 3 nA typ, 50 nA max (VCE 5 V, no light) | source Basic Characteristics (p.2) |
| Wavelength of peak sensitivity | 570 nm; spectral range 440 to 800 nm | source Basic Characteristics (p.2) |
| Angle of half sensitivity | +/-60 degrees | source Basic Characteristics (p.2) |
| Temperature coefficient of IPCE | 1.18 %/K (illuminant A); 0.9 %/K (white LED) | source Basic Characteristics (p.2) |
| Operating temperature range | -40 C to +100 C | source Absolute Maximum Ratings (p.2) |
Power
| Value | Source | |
|---|---|---|
| Current | Phototransistor light current 10 uA typ at 20 lx, 50 uA typ at 100 lx (VCE 5 V) | source Basic Characteristics (p.2); module supply is not in the Vishay sheet |
Pinout
We don't publish a pin table for this part: no official source we could verify gives one. Check the labels printed on your module, and see the notes below.
The Vishay sheet describes the bare 1206 phototransistor (TEMT6000X01). The module board's output circuit, header labels and supply range are not covered by an official document.
Build with it
Project ideas for the TEMT6000 ambient light sensor. Each link opens Soldr with the prompt filled in; Soldr assigns the pins, checks power and shows how to wire every part.
- Ambient light level display: Read the analog output on an ESP32 ADC pin and show a relative light level (not lux). The ESP32 ADC input maximum is 3.3 V, so measure the module's output range with a multimeter first.
- Automatic night light: The LED switches on when the reading drops below a level you choose. Keep the LED current low with a series resistor (a few mA is plenty), well inside what a board pin can supply. Power the module from 3.3 V on this 3.3 V board so its output stays within the ADC range; check the module label that it accepts 3.3 V.
- Plant window light tracker: The Pico has a 3.3 V ADC on its analog pins; show a running minimum and maximum light level over the day. A learning project for comparing window positions. Power the module from 3.3 V on this 3.3 V board so its output stays within the ADC range; check the module label that it accepts 3.3 V.
Common mistakes
- Treating the output as lux: the sheet gives photocurrent (10 uA typ at 20 lx); the output voltage depends on circuitry that this sheet does not cover, so do not read it as lux (source: link, Basic Characteristics p.2)
- Exceeding the 6 V collector-emitter limit when wiring the bare part (source: link, Absolute Maximum Ratings p.1)
- Expecting a flat reading over temperature: light current changes about 1.18 percent per kelvin (source: link, Basic Characteristics p.2)
Not covered by the official source
- Module-level supply range, output circuit and output range are not in the Vishay sheet.
- No pin table in the sheet (two-terminal phototransistor).
- No lux-to-voltage conversion can be given without the module schematic.
Sources
- link (Vishay TEMT6000X01 Ambient Light Sensor datasheet, Rev. 1.9, 23-Aug-11, document 81579)