E18-D80NK Adjustable IR Proximity Sensor Switch, 3-80cm Range

The E18-D80NK packages an infrared transmitter and receiver into a single compact unit, detecting objects by sensing the IR light the transmitter emits reflecting back off a nearby surface - a reflective (not through-beam) sensing approach that only needs one unit mounted rather than a separate transmitter and receiver positioned facing each other across a gap.

Detection range is adjustable across 3cm to 80cm via an onboard potentiometer, letting a builder tune the sensor to trigger only within a specific distance window relevant to the application, rather than detecting every object regardless of how close or far it is. Output is a clean digital, TTL-compatible signal that reads high when no obstacle is present and switches low the moment an object enters the configured detection range, directly readable by any microcontroller's digital input pin without additional signal conditioning.

A genuinely useful characteristic called out in the sensor's design is reduced sensitivity to the color and reflectivity of the detected object - cheaper reflective IR sensors can struggle to reliably detect dark or non-reflective surfaces, while the E18-D80NK is built to maintain more consistent detection distance across different object colors and surface finishes. An onboard indicator LED confirms detection status visually, useful when tuning the range potentiometer during setup.

Running on a standard +5V supply with low power consumption and no external control circuit needed beyond the microcontroller reading its output pin, the sensor is straightforward to integrate. Builders working on an obstacle-avoidance robot, an object-counting conveyor system, or any project needing adjustable-range, color-tolerant proximity detection will find the E18-D80NK a practical, industrial-grade sensor for that specific job.