{"id":688,"date":"2020-04-06T01:49:21","date_gmt":"2020-04-05T18:49:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.phidgets.com\/educationDEV\/?page_id=688"},"modified":"2023-06-21T00:50:14","modified_gmt":"2023-06-20T17:50:14","slug":"light-sensor","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.phidgets.com\/education\/learn\/device-tutorials\/light-sensor\/","title":{"rendered":"Light sensor"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_code admin_label=”Light sensor” _builder_version=”4.16″ vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ z_index_tablet=”0″ box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

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Device tutorials<\/a><\/div>\n

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Light Phidget<\/h1>\n

The Light Phidget measures brightness. The sensor in the Light Phidget closely matches the human eye’s sensitivity.The Light Phidget returns brightness (called illuminance) in lux (symbol: lx). Lux is a measure of how much light there is per square meter. A typical classroom will be around 250 lx.<\/pee> <\/p>\n

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See tutorial<\/a><\/div>\n

[\/et_pb_code][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.phidgets.com\/education\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/device-light2.jpg” _builder_version=”4.16″ vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ z_index_tablet=”0″ box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”3″ specialty=”on” module_id=”tutorial” _builder_version=”4.16″ vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ z_index_tablet=”0″ box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_code admin_label=”ph-vertical-nav” _builder_version=”4.16″ vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ z_index_tablet=”0″ box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Setup<\/a> Code<\/a> Applications<\/a> Practice<\/a><\/div>\n

[\/et_pb_code][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ specialty_columns=”3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_row_inner module_id=”setup” _builder_version=”4.16″ vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ z_index_tablet=”0″ box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column_inner saved_specialty_column_type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_code admin_label=”Setup” _builder_version=”4.16″ vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ z_index_tablet=”0″ box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Setup<\/h3>\n

Before you do any coding you will have to attach your Light Phidget to your VINT Hub as shown:<\/pee>[\/et_pb_code][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.phidgets.com\/education\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/LUX1000_setup_whitecable.jpg” title_text=”LUX1000_setup_whitecable” show_in_lightbox=”on” _builder_version=”4.19.2″ vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ z_index_tablet=”0″ box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][et_pb_row_inner module_id=”write-code” module_class=”ph-hidden-anchor” _builder_version=”4.16″ vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ z_index_tablet=”0″ box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column_inner saved_specialty_column_type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_code admin_label=”Write Code – row hidden anchor” _builder_version=”4.16″ vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ z_index_tablet=”0″ box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_code][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][et_pb_row_inner module_class=”ph-user-java” _builder_version=”4.16″ vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ z_index_tablet=”0″ box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column_inner saved_specialty_column_type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_code admin_label=”Code (Java)” _builder_version=”4.16″ vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ z_index_tablet=”0″ box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Code (Java)<\/h3>\n

Create a file called Light<\/em> and add the following code. Run your code to see the illuminance of your classroom. Try covering the sensor or shining a light on the sensor to see the changes in output.<\/pee>Not your programming language? Set my language and IDE<\/a>.<\/pee>[\/et_pb_code][et_pb_code admin_label=”Code Sample – Netbeans” module_class=”ph-user-netbeans” _builder_version=”4.16″ vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ z_index_tablet=”0″ box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

  package light;\/\/Add Phidgets Libraryimport com.phidget22.*;public class Light{    public static void main(String[] args) throws Exception{                \/\/Create        LightSensor lightSensor = new LightSensor();                \/\/Open        lightSensor.open(1000);                \/\/Use your Phidgets        while(true){            System.out.println(\"Illuminance: \" + lightSensor.getIlluminance() + \" lx\");            Thread.sleep(250);        }     }}  <\/code><\/pre>\n
[\/et_pb_code][et_pb_code admin_label=”Code Sample – Eclipse” module_class=”ph-user-eclipse” _builder_version=”4.16″ vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ z_index_tablet=”0″ box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
  \/\/Add Phidgets Libraryimport com.phidget22.*;public class Light{    public static void main(String[] args) throws Exception{                \/\/Create        LightSensor lightSensor = new LightSensor();                \/\/Open        lightSensor.open(1000);                \/\/Use your Phidgets        while(true){            System.out.println(\"Illuminance: \" + lightSensor.getIlluminance() + \" lx\");            Thread.sleep(250);        }     }}  <\/code><\/pre>\n
[\/et_pb_code][et_pb_code admin_label=”Code Sample – Processing” module_class=”ph-user-processing” _builder_version=”4.16″ vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ z_index_tablet=”0″ box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
  \/\/Add Phidgets Libraryimport com.phidget22.*;\/\/DefineLightSensor lightSensor;void setup(){  try{        \/\/Create     lightSensor = new LightSensor();        \/\/Open    lightSensor.open(1000);      }catch(Exception e){    e.printStackTrace();  }}void draw(){  try{        \/\/Use your Phidgets    println(\"Illuminance: \" + lightSensor.getIlluminance() + \" lx\");    delay(250);      }catch(Exception e){    e.printStackTrace();  }}  <\/code><\/pre>\n
[\/et_pb_code][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][et_pb_row_inner module_class=”ph-user-python” _builder_version=”4.16″ vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ z_index_tablet=”0″ box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column_inner saved_specialty_column_type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_code admin_label=”Code (Python)” _builder_version=”4.16″ vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ z_index_tablet=”0″ box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Code (Python)<\/h3>\n
Create a file called Light<\/em> and add the following code. Run your code to see the illuminance of your classroom. Try covering the sensor or shining a light on the sensor to see the changes in output.<\/pee>Not your programming language? Set my language and IDE<\/a>.<\/pee>[\/et_pb_code][et_pb_code admin_label=”Code sample” _builder_version=”4.16″ vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ z_index_tablet=”0″ box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
  #Add Phidgets Libraryfrom Phidget22.Phidget import *from Phidget22.Devices.LightSensor import *#Required for sleep statementimport time#CreatelightSensor = LightSensor()#OpenlightSensor.openWaitForAttachment(1000)#Use your Phidgetswhile (True):    print(\"Illuminance: \" + str(lightSensor.getIlluminance()) + \" lx\")    time.sleep(0.25)  <\/code><\/pre>\n
[\/et_pb_code][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][et_pb_row_inner module_class=”ph-user-csharp” _builder_version=”4.16″ vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ z_index_tablet=”0″ box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column_inner saved_specialty_column_type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_code admin_label=”Code (C#)” _builder_version=”4.16″ vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ z_index_tablet=”0″ box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Code (C#)<\/h3>\n
Create a file called Light<\/em> and add the following code. Run your code to see the illuminance of your classroom. Try covering the sensor or shining a light on the sensor to see the changes in output.<\/pee>Not your programming language? Set my language and IDE<\/a>.<\/pee>[\/et_pb_code][et_pb_code admin_label=”Code sample” _builder_version=”4.16″ vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ z_index_tablet=”0″ box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
  \/\/Add Phidgets Libraryusing Phidget22;namespace Light{    class Program{        static void Main(string[] args){            \/\/Create            LightSensor lightSensor = new LightSensor();            \/\/Open            lightSensor.Open(1000);            \/\/Use your Phidgets            while (true){                System.Console.WriteLine(\"Illuminance: \" + lightSensor.Illuminance + \" lx\");                System.Threading.Thread.Sleep(250);            }        }    }}  <\/code><\/pre>\n
[\/et_pb_code][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][et_pb_row_inner module_class=”ph-user-swift” _builder_version=”4.16″ vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ z_index_tablet=”0″ box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column_inner saved_specialty_column_type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_code admin_label=”Code (Swift)” _builder_version=”4.16″ vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ z_index_tablet=”0″ box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Code (Swift)<\/h3>\n
Create a file called Light<\/em> and add the following code. Run your code to see the illuminance of your classroom. Try covering the sensor or shining a light on the sensor to see the changes in output.<\/pee>Not your programming language? Set my language and IDE<\/a>.<\/pee>You will need to add a Label.<\/pee>[\/et_pb_code][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.phidgets.com\/education\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/light-1.png” _builder_version=”4.16″ vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ z_index_tablet=”0″ box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_code admin_label=”Code sample” _builder_version=”4.16″ vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ z_index_tablet=”0″ box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
  import Cocoa\/\/Add Phidgets Libraryimport Phidget22Swiftclass ViewController: NSViewController {    @IBOutlet weak var sensorLabel: NSTextField!        \/\/Create    let lightSensor = LightSensor()        override func viewDidLoad() {        super.viewDidLoad()        do{            \/\/Subscribe to event            let _ = lightSensor.illuminanceChange.addHandler(onIlluminanceChange)                        \/\/Open            try lightSensor.open()        }catch{            print(error)        }    }        func onIlluminanceChange(sender:LightSensor, illuminance:Double){        DispatchQueue.main.async {\t    \/\/Use information from your Phidget to change label            self.sensorLabel.stringValue = String(illuminance) + \" lux\"        }    }}  <\/code><\/pre>\n
[\/et_pb_code][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][et_pb_row_inner module_id=”applications” _builder_version=”4.16″ vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ z_index_tablet=”0″ box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column_inner saved_specialty_column_type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_code admin_label=”Applications” _builder_version=”4.16″ vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ z_index_tablet=”0″ box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Applications<\/h3>\n
If you have ever noticed that your phone or tablet gets brighter or dimmer depending on your environment, you have witnessed a light sensor in action! <\/pee><\/p>\n