Light Blocking Sensor Module
A KY-010 light blocking module uses a slot-style photo interrupter to detect when something blocks a light beam.
Part images
What it is
A KY-010 light blocking module uses a slot-style photo interrupter to detect when something blocks a light beam.
How students use it
Students use it for counters, wheel-slot detection, speed experiments, and precise pass-through triggers.
Pins and power
Signal output, VCC, and GND on common KY-010 photo interrupter boards.
Use module power and signal output that are safe for Pico GPIO.
The output changes when an object passes through the sensor slot and interrupts the beam.
Voltage and safety
Confirm output voltage before connecting to Pico.
Keep fingers and loose wires clear of moving wheels or mechanisms used with the sensor.
Module internals
Main component: Photo interrupter sensor.
IR emitter, receiver, slot housing, support parts, PCB, and header.
Datasheet notes
It detects blocking inside a narrow slot, not general room brightness.
Common libraries
Use machine.Pin for the digital output.
Common mistakes
Aiming it at open space, using objects too thin for the slot, and forgetting shared ground.