Lite-On LTV-816S Optocoupler - DC Input, Transistor Output

As any experienced Electronics Maker will know, dealing with high-power systems can be dangerous, but very often is necessary when you are building ambitiously large projects. However, even though it may sometimes be necessary to use high-power Components and systems within your project, you don’t always have to expose yourself to these high voltages, and you can actually stay safe by utilising an isolated low-power control circuit. This is the ideal way to operate high-power machines and systems, as it keeps the user safe from unexpected shorts or faults within the system, while still allowing the user to remain fully in control and capable of performing all of the tasks which would have been potentially dangerous in the past – before circuit isolation was commonplace.

The Lite-On LTV-816S Optocoupler is a tiny Integrated Circuit SMD that is perfect for isolating various circuits of a large system, and is designed to help keep users, low-power circuits and sensitive components safe from high-voltage circuits. It features a DC Input and a Transistor Output, which is perfect for ultra-fast switching applications, and is built to allow users to control a high-power circuit with as little as 1.2V @50mA max by utilising a clever optical signalling system. This optical (light-based) signalling ensures that the two connected circuits are electrically isolated despite being able to communicate with each other, allowing for safe control of circuits operating on up to 80V DC.

Please Note: These units are priced individually but sold in minimum order quantities of two (2), so as to save on shipping costs and reduce the overall price for each unit.

Typical Applications for the LTV-816S Optocoupler:

Although the common use case for these Lite-On LTV-816S Optocouplers is to essentially protect users and sensitive circuits from other parts in a system that may be operating on higher voltages, another fine benefit of these awesome little tools is that they can also act as voltage level converters too. This makes them a great choice for microcontrollers and development platforms like Raspberry Pi Boards, which typically operate on 3.3V through their GPIO Pins, as you don’t need to use voltage dividing resistors, step-up converters or logic level converters of any kind in order to utilise 5V Sensors and other modules. However, their real benefit lies in the fact that they are capable of controlling up to 80V DC circuits with as little as 1.2V to light up the IR LED and activate the photoresistor.