Optocoupler

Electronic optoelement

Photocell

A photocell, also known as an optocell, is a type of electronic semiconductor device for converting light into electrical energy. Its action is based on a photovoltaic effect, most often on a p-n junction. The most widespread is the photocell made of a thin layer of selenium, and depending on the application and circumstances, silicon and germanium are also produced.

Optocoupler

An optocoupler is an electronic photocell that is used to transfer an electrical signal between two galvanically isolated circuits by means of light. Most often, it consists of a light source, an LED, and a photodetector (photoresistor, phototransistor, phototriac) monitored together in a common housing.

The LEDs in the optocouplers are usually infrared and they convert the electrical signal into light. Optocouplers also have an optical channel and a photoreceptor that receives the light and converts it back into electrical energy. They support 1, 2 or 4 channels and have solder terminals with SMD or THT mounting.