Arduino - Light Sensor Triggers LED

In this tutorial, We are going to learn how to:

Hardware Required

1×Arduino UNO or Genuino UNO
1×USB 2.0 cable type A/B
1×Light Sensor
1×LED
1×220 ohm resistor
1×10 kΩ resistor
1×Breadboard
1×Jumper Wires
1×(Recommended) Screw Terminal Block Shield for Arduino Uno
1×(Recommended) Breadboard Shield For Arduino Uno
1×(Recommended) Enclosure For Arduino Uno

Or you can buy the following sensor kits:

1×DIYables Sensor Kit (30 sensors/displays)
1×DIYables Sensor Kit (18 sensors/displays)
Please note: These are Amazon affiliate links. If you buy the components through these links, We will get a commission at no extra cost to you. We appreciate it.

About LED and Light Sensor

If you do not know about LED and light sensor (pinout, how it works, how to program ...), learn about them in the following tutorials:

Wiring Diagram

Arduino Light Sensor LED Wiring Diagram

This image is created using Fritzing. Click to enlarge image

Arduino Code

/* * Created by ArduinoGetStarted.com * * This example code is in the public domain * * Tutorial page: https://arduinogetstarted.com/tutorials/arduino-light-sensor-triggers-led */ // constants won't change const int LIGHT_SENSOR_PIN = A0; // Arduino pin connected to light sensor's pin const int LED_PIN = 3; // Arduino pin connected to LED's pin const int ANALOG_THRESHOLD = 500; // variables will change: int analogValue; void setup() { pinMode(LED_PIN, OUTPUT); // set arduino pin to output mode } void loop() { analogValue = analogRead(LIGHT_SENSOR_PIN); // read the input on analog pin if(analogValue < ANALOG_THRESHOLD) digitalWrite(LED_PIN, HIGH); // turn on LED else digitalWrite(LED_PIN, LOW); // turn off LED }

Quick Steps

  • Connect Arduino to PC via USB cable
  • Open Arduino IDE, select the right board and port
  • Copy the above code and open with Arduino IDE
  • Click Upload button on Arduino IDE to upload code to Arduino
Arduino IDE Upload Code
  • Radiates light to sensor
  • See the change of LED's state

Code Explanation

Read the line-by-line explanation in comment lines of source code!

Video Tutorial

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