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As I understand it, photointerrupters (transmissive photosensors) and photoreflectors (reflective photosensors) are sometimes referred to as slotted and reflective optocouplers, respectively. They are used to build incremental optical rotary encoders; these, again, are used in ball-type computer mice. However, these things are not what one would usually think of when talking about an optocoupler or optoisolator. Until someone finds the time to explain this properly (sorry, I don't have it right now), the sections referring to these topics are simply confusing. I have therefore removed them from the article and put them here:
The classical ball
computer mouse is a common application, using infrared emitter LEDs and phototransistors to form optocouplers. The ball of the mouse turns a pair of optical encoder wheels. These wheels periodically block the optocouplers and thereby translate the motion of the mouse into a sequence of pulses. These pulses are then used to record the motion. The principle of operation does not require infrared light, but the infrared sensor is less sensitive to interference from common flickering visible light sources such as fluorescent lamps and CRT displays.
This article could use an image of the schematic representation of an opto-isolator to better get the point across.--
Hooperbloob 01:20, 8 Jun 2005 (UTC)
How about a circuit? -
Omegatron 14:53, Jun 8, 2005 (UTC)
Hey, that looks great. If some part identifiers are added then we can reference them in the discussion.--
Hooperbloob 16:37, 8 Jun 2005 (UTC)
Ok. I did it right, right? Output will be high or low depending on switch. -
Omegatron 17:43, Jun 8, 2005 (UTC)
Added some ugly numbers. -
Omegatron 14:27, Jun 15, 2005 (UTC)
Both transformers and opto-couplers are effective in breaking ground loops caused by high or noisy return currents in ground wires, and common in industrial and stage equipment.
High and noisy electric currents are common in industrial equipment
Noisy [but not really high] currents are common in stage equipment
Return currents (i.e. currents returning to the power supply through the return wires) cause
ground loops.
Transformers and opto-couplers can break ground loops, so the noise in return wires stays there and does not disrupt useful audio and video signals.
East of Borschov00:48, 7 November 2010 (UTC)reply
Ah, this is precisely the case of awkward paraphrasing of what was a crystal-clear sentence. The source meant that the
thermal expansion coefficient of the dark goo must match t.e.c. of clear silicone (applicable only to double-molded silicone domes). Quote: "A dark outer mold compound, with a matched thermal expansion coefficient to the inner-mold compound, is then called an over under double molded design."
East of Borschov00:40, 7 November 2010 (UTC)reply
I have copy-edited the article, but am holding off on removal of the copy edit tag for now until I can get some feedback on my work.
I have also added an expert-subject tag for the confusing sections. —Preceding
unsigned comment added by
Anon423 (
talk •
contribs)
00:25, 7 November 2010 (UTC)reply
Thanks. I'll check diffs one by one - at first sight there's one instance when copyedit changed the intended message to something else. Check the sentence "They feature speeds four times higher, lesser power consumption and lower cost than the fastest contemporary opto-isolators." (last section). Apart from a change of tense (it's a snapshot of 2000 market, past tense) I'm not sure that any product can "feature" low cost. "Low cost" in industry-speak means "low price to wholesale buyers", it's the seller's decision and not a property of a product.
East of Borschov00:36, 7 November 2010 (UTC)reply
considering the fact that Solid State Relays use Optical isolators, having both articles separate seems redundant
(contributor formally known as KB1KOI) 2012-12-03, 18:20 UTC — Preceding
unsigned comment added by
216.19.115.116 (
talk)
18:19, 3 December 2012 (UTC)reply
Article name is not compliant to international standard
The International Standard IEC60050 for the naming of electrotechnical components only accepts the names "photocoupler" and "optocoupler". Is there a reason why the article name is non standard? --
91.15.67.235 (
talk)
09:05, 24 August 2013 (UTC)reply
Requested move 30 April 2016
The following is a closed discussion of a
requested move. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made in a new section on the talk page. Editors desiring to contest the closing decision should consider a
move review. No further edits should be made to this section.
Opto-isolator → Optocoupler – Most, if not all, manufacturers refer to these devices as Optocouplers. It is true that some also give opto-isolator as an alternative name. The primary function of the device is to provide signal coupling by optical means. The device has a valuable secondary chartacteristic of providing electrical isolation by a dielectic barrier.
Constant314 (
talk) 16:17, 30 April 2016 (UTC) --Relisted.George Ho (
talk)
06:11, 8 May 2016 (UTC)reply
Oppose, but drop the hyphen ->
Optoisolator. The term opto-isolator has given was over the years to optisolator, and the two together are more common than optocoupler (or about equally common in most recent years per
n-grams). The isolation function is usually the reason for using this as opposed to a simpler kind of coupling such as a wire.
Dicklyon (
talk)
13:59, 10 May 2016 (UTC)reply
The above discussion is preserved as an archive of a
requested move. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made in a new section on this talk page or in a
move review. No further edits should be made to this section.
Dielectric vs insulator
Are we sure "dielectric" is the right word for the bit in the middle of an optoisolator? A dielectric is an insulator that can be polarised. This is surely not necessary in an opto, it only needs to be an insulator (and transparent!). Are dielectrics used in real-life optos, if they are, why? Is it a necessary property? Couldn't a theoretical opto be built that meets all the specifications, using a non-dielectric insulator? Depending on this, wouldn't "insulator" be a better word? It'd also be advantageous to beginners in electronics, who might not know what a dielectric is. After all, someone experienced in electronics wouldn't need to look up what an opto is!
It seems to be the jargon used in describing optocouplers. At least one book I have open right now says "dielectric" and "insulator" are synonymous terms.(Electrical Conduction in Solids:An Introduction, Daniel D. Pollock, American Society for Metals, 1985 ISBN 0-87170-203-7, page 241) What insulators cannot be polarized? --
Wtshymanski (
talk)
06:20, 20 November 2020 (UTC)reply