{"product_id":"tcrt5000-sensor","title":"TCRT5000 Sensor","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVishay TCRT5000 reflective optical sensor on a breakout board\u003c\/strong\u003e — the canonical IR photoelectric switch for 3D-printer filament runout sensing, endstops, encoder wheels, and line-following projects. Sold individually for repairs, custom builds, or to upgrade an existing kit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy the TCRT5000 instead of an endstop microswitch\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNon-contact:\u003c\/strong\u003e the filament never mechanically actuates a lever, so no wear on switches or springs over thousands of cycles.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDetects a wide range of materials\u003c\/strong\u003e — opaque PLA, PETG, ABS, PETG-CF, PA-CF, PLA-AERO, even translucent PETG when the threshold is dialed correctly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAnalog + digital output\u003c\/strong\u003e — the analog pin lets Klipper or Marlin map signal strength for advanced sensing (e.g. ERCF \u003cem\u003etoolhead sensor\u003c\/em\u003e uses the analog curve to detect the leading edge of the filament tip before the print is interrupted).\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInexpensive enough to spec per-toolhead\u003c\/strong\u003e — multi-material and ERCF builds need one per toolhead.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSensor IC:\u003c\/strong\u003e Vishay TCRT5000 (IR LED 950 nm + phototransistor in one package)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSupply voltage:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3.3 V – 5 V DC\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCurrent draw:\u003c\/strong\u003e ~10 mA typical (LED on)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSensing distance:\u003c\/strong\u003e ~0.5 – 15 mm depending on surface reflectance\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOutputs:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eAO\u003c\/strong\u003e (analog, 0 – Vcc) and \u003cstrong\u003eDO\u003c\/strong\u003e (digital, threshold set by on-board trimpot)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOutput indicator:\u003c\/strong\u003e on-board LED lights on detection\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHeader:\u003c\/strong\u003e 4-pin 2.54 mm (Vcc \/ GND \/ DO \/ AO)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePCB dimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e ~32 × 14 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMounting:\u003c\/strong\u003e two 3 mm through-holes on 28 mm centers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eIntended use \/ machine fitment\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eERCF (Enraged Rabbit Carrot Feeder) toolhead sensor\u003c\/strong\u003e — this is the sensor board the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/enraged-rabbit-carrot-feeder-toolhead-sensor-kit\"\u003eERCF Toolhead Sensor Kit\u003c\/a\u003e and the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/binky-by-marc-neuhaus-ercf-encoder\"\u003eBinky ERCF encoder\u003c\/a\u003e are designed around. If you need a replacement, this is it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFilament runout sensor\u003c\/strong\u003e for Voron, Ender 3, Prusa MK-series, RatRig, and any printer running Klipper or Marlin with a generic GPIO\/analog input.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBed probe \/ endstop\u003c\/strong\u003e for optical applications (note: not a substitute for a precision probe like \u003ca href=\"\/products\/voron-tap\"\u003eVoron Tap\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/pcbn-klicky-probe-kit-by-lightweight-labware\"\u003ePCB Klicky\u003c\/a\u003e).\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEncoder \/ tachometer\u003c\/strong\u003e for spool rotation sensing on direct-drive extruders.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLine-following and robotics\u003c\/strong\u003e outside of 3D printing — works fine on 5 V Arduino \/ Raspberry Pi Pico projects.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat this is — and what it isn't\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThis is a breakout module\u003c\/strong\u003e (the TCRT5000 IC on a small carrier PCB with header pins and a sensitivity trimpot), not the bare IC. If you need a surface-mount component for a custom PCB, source the IC directly from an authorized distributor.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNot a precision probe.\u003c\/strong\u003e Reflective sensing is great for filament presence but lacks the repeatability of a \u003ca href=\"\/products\/voron-tap\"\u003etactile probe\u003c\/a\u003e for mesh bed leveling. Use the right tool for the job.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNot invisible to clear filament.\u003c\/strong\u003e Fully transparent PC or TPU will not trigger reliably without a contrast marker or a different sensor type. For most common 3D-printer filaments the TCRT5000 works out of the box.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"dfh.fm","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40759587045545,"sku":"3940835275","price":4.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0556\/9767\/0313\/products\/IMG_9035_0.5x.jpg?v=1625189849","url":"https:\/\/formosissima.myshopify.com\/products\/tcrt5000-sensor","provider":"dfh.fm","version":"1.0","type":"link"}