Fc 51 Ir Sensor Datasheet May 2026

| Symptom | Possible Cause | Solution | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Output LED always ON | Potentiometer too sensitive; object too close; power supply noise | Turn potentiometer CCW; move objects; add capacitor | | Output LED always OFF | No power; broken IR LED; range too low | Check Vcc/GND; turn potentiometer CW; test with white paper | | Erratic detection | Ambient IR noise (sunlight, CFLs); loose wires | Shield sensor; use shorter wires; add 10ms debounce in code | | Very short range (under 5 cm) | Potentiometer misadjusted; black target | Recalibrate; use reflective tape on target | | Module gets hot | Reverse polarity | Immediately disconnect; check pinout version | How does the FC-51 stack up against common alternatives?

Introduction In the world of embedded systems and robotics, few components are as ubiquitous or as essential as the infrared proximity sensor. Among the myriad of options available, the FC-51 IR Sensor stands out as a favorite for hobbyists and professionals alike. It is cheap, reliable, easy to interface with microcontrollers like Arduino, Raspberry Pi, and ESP32, and incredibly effective for non-contact object detection.

However, finding a consolidated, detailed datasheet for the FC-51 can be challenging. Many sellers provide only basic pinouts, leaving users to guess at critical specifications like current consumption, detection range, and timing characteristics. Fc 51 Ir Sensor Datasheet

int sensorPin = 2; int ledPin = 13; int sensorState = 0; void setup() pinMode(sensorPin, INPUT); pinMode(ledPin, OUTPUT); Serial.begin(9600);

By referencing this , you now have the complete technical picture: pinouts, voltage limits, range adjustment, code examples, and troubleshooting. Whether you’re building a line-following robot, a contactless switch, or a factory counter, the FC-51 offers a straightforward “detect or not detect” solution that integrates with almost any microcontroller. | Symptom | Possible Cause | Solution |

| Feature | FC-51 | HC-SR04 (Ultrasonic) | TCRT5000 (Reflective) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | IR reflection | Sound wave echo | IR reflection | | Output | Digital (HIGH/LOW) | Analog (PWM width) | Analog/Digital (with add-on) | | Max Range | ~30 cm | ~400 cm | ~10 cm | | Color Sensitive? | Yes (dark objects reduce range) | No | Yes | | Cost | Very low ($1-2) | Low ($2-4) | Very low ($0.5-1) | | Best Use | Proximity switch, line follow (short range) | Distance measurement | Line following (very short) |

| Condition | Output Pin | Output LED | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | No object in front | HIGH (1) | OFF | | Object within set range | LOW (0) | ON | The FC-51 features a small, blue potentiometer (variable resistor) on the back of the PCB. Turning this potentiometer changes the comparator’s reference voltage, effectively adjusting the sensitivity. It is cheap, reliable, easy to interface with

import RPi.GPIO as GPIO import time GPIO.setmode(GPIO.BCM) SENSOR_PIN = 17 GPIO.setup(SENSOR_PIN, GPIO.IN)