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Best Answer - Chosen by VotersActually "photocell" can refer to lots of different things and you are talking about two of them! Let's agree that photocell means "thing that is sensitive to light".

1) A light dependent resistor uses a chemical (typically a Cadmium compound like cadmium sulfide) that changes resistance when exposed to light. It doesn't convert light to current. To use one, you have to provide voltage and measure the change in current as the resistance changes (or you could provide a constant current and watch the voltage change; same thing).

2) A silicon photocell (or solar cell) generates electricity from light. Photons (light particles) hit the silicon and cause electrons to flow out of the silicon (a little more complicated, but you asked for simple).

3) A photo transistor uses light to turn on a transistor. Actually all "regular" transistors are light sensitive. A photo transistor is made to be sensitive and has a window in the can to let the light in.

4) A photo diode is sort of like a photo transistor but used a diode.

That's all from memory, but I think that about wraps it up. Some of these things are really the same things packaged up or specialized for a certain task. But a light dependent resistor is not an electric

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Loma Schowalter

Lvl 13
3y ago

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A: Photocell and LED cannot work directly because these are different devices. But yes each independently can work as a unit all you need is some buffering.


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it creates a dc current


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By covering the photo cell and if the relay coil doesnt work.


How does a photocell work in a kerosene heater?

A photocell in a kerosene heater works by using light to generate an electrical current. The photocell detects the flame produced by the heater and triggers the fuel pump to continue supplying kerosene. If the flame goes out, the photocell senses the absence of light and shuts off the fuel supply to prevent dangerous fuel leaks or build-up.


Can you wire a photocell to work at night instead of during the day?

Photocells are designed to work at night when it gets dark and turn off in the morning when it gets lighter. If the photocell is on during the day then it is not working the way it was designed to. Time to get a new one.


How would a faulty photocell be detected?

By covering the photo cell and if the relay coil doesn't work.


How photo cell function or work?

There is a lot of things when you talked about photocell... well in electronics world of terms the main functions of photocell are for sensing which provides limits or safety.Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/What_is_the_function_of_a_photocell#ixzz1lZGBI2wU


Am using a photocell in a 9volts dc circuit will this be enough to produce an output?

A: A photocell is like a variable resistor it will change resistance with light the ratio of dark:light resistance decides the output. So yes it should work with 9volts


Why does photocell work during the day?

Photocells work during the day because they are light-sensitive sensors that detect changes in light levels. During the day, when sunlight is present, the photocell detects the increased light and triggers a response, such as turning off a light or activating a security system.


Can a photocell work when installed 3ft below a light?

It will if it can not 'see' the light.- ie, if there is a shade or something between it and the light.


Where do you buy a 6 volt replacement photocell?

You can buy 6v photocell dusk to dawn switches from Acetek photocells


How does a roof affect the position of a photocell?

the roof is slanted so you will need to put your photocell on the side of the roof where the sun is shining