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Light Dependent Resistor (LDR)

A Light Dependent Resistor (LDR), also known as a photoresistor, is a light-sensitive variable resistor whose resistance decreases with increasing light intensity. It operates on the principle of photoconductivity and is commonly used in light-sensing applications such as street lights and solar panels. While LDRs are low-cost and easy to integrate into circuits, they have disadvantages including slow response time and sensitivity to temperature changes.

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3 views3 pages

Light Dependent Resistor (LDR)

A Light Dependent Resistor (LDR), also known as a photoresistor, is a light-sensitive variable resistor whose resistance decreases with increasing light intensity. It operates on the principle of photoconductivity and is commonly used in light-sensing applications such as street lights and solar panels. While LDRs are low-cost and easy to integrate into circuits, they have disadvantages including slow response time and sensitivity to temperature changes.

Uploaded by

dennismwangi7464
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Light dependent resistor (LDR)

LDR (Light dependent resistor) also known as photoresistor or Photo Conductive Cell is
a light-sensitive resistor whose resistance varies with the intensity of light.
It is a type of variable resistor whose resistance varies with the light. Its resistance varies
inversely with the change in light intensity i.e. its resistance increases with a decrease in
light intensity and decreases with an increase in light intensity.
It is a type of photosensor that works on the principle of photoconductivity. Its electrical
conductivity changes with the intensity of the falling light. Its resistance also depends on
the frequency and wavelength of the incident light. Although its sensitivity depends on
the design and Semiconductor material of the device.

It is used in light sensing circuit that operates based on light and dark conditions such as
street lights, solar panels, solar tracker, etc.

Symbol of LDR
The symbol of LDR resembles both resistor and photodiode. The arrows pointing toward
the resistor represent the light rays as in photodiode while the rest represent the resistor
as shown in the figure below.

Both of the given symbols represent LDR or photoresistor having two terminals.
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Construction of LDR
An LDR is made of an N-type semiconductor material that is sensitive to light and
possesses less or no free electrons in no light conductions such as cadmium selenide CdSe
or cadmium sulfide CdS. It has very high resistance in the range of mega Ohms under no
light conditions. A strip of photoconductive material is placed on top of an insulating
substrate in a zigzag pattern to acquire desired resistance and power ratings. Ohmic
contacts are made on either side of the strip to form the terminals. The resistance of the
ohmic contacts is designed to be as low as possible so that the resistance of LDR only
varies with the incident light.

Working of LDR
LDR works on the principle of photoconductivity. According to photoconductivity the
conductivity of a material is increased when the intensity of incident light is increased.
There are certain semiconductor materials that exhibit such property known as
photoconductive material.
There is an energy band gap between the valance band and the conduction band of the
semiconductor material. The electrons residing in the valance band cannot participate in
the conduction unless energy equal to the amount of the band gap energy is provided. The
incident light containing photons had enough energy to excite electrons into the
conduction band. The number of electrons passing into the conduction band depends on
the amount of light energy.
Since these electrons contribute to the current flow, the resistance of the material
decreases. Therefore increasing the intensity of light increases the number of free
electrons and decreases the resistance of the LDR.
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Types of LDR
The LDR can be classified based on its photoconductive semiconductor material doping
and based on its spectral characteristics.
Based on Semiconductor
i. Intrinsic LDR
ii. Extrinsic LDR
Based on Linearity
i. Linear LDR
ii. Nonlinear LDR
Based on Spectral Characteristics
i. Ultraviolet LDR
ii. Infrared LDR

Advantages and Disadvantages of LDR


Advantages
• It consumes very low power.
• It is high sensitivity.
• It has a small size and low cost.
• It has a simple design and is easily available in many shapes and sizes in the
market.
• It is easier to connect in a circuit and does not require biasing.
Disadvantages
• Its sensitivity is greatly affected by temperature change.
• It has a very slow response time and cannot keep up with sudden changes in light
intensity.
• LDR has a narrow spectral response i.e. a specific material is used for a narrow
range of wavelengths of light.
• It is also affected by the hysteresis effect.

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