Explaining PC817C Optocoupler

2:03

General
Project
Datasheet
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Q5

Using the datasheet tool.

Utilizing the knowledge tool.

Structuring the response.

Linking components effectively.

Using Knowledge Base Tool.

Looking for "device overview description" in TPC817%20SERIES_C1612.pdf

Looking for "features list" in TPC817%20SERIES_C1612.pdf

Looking for "applications typical applications" in TPC817%20SERIES_C1612.pdf

Looking for "internal structure phototransistor optocoupler description" in TPC817%20SERIES_C1612.pdf

Looking for "CTR classification PC817A PC817B PC817C PC817D differences CTR rank" in TPC817%20SERIES_C1612.pdf

Looking for "Absolute Maximum Ratings isolation voltage" in TPC817%20SERIES_C1612.pdf

Looking for "Absolute Maximum Ratings input forward current" in TPC817%20SERIES_C1612.pdf

Looking for "Absolute Maximum Ratings collector emitter voltage" in TPC817%20SERIES_C1612.pdf

Looking for "Electrical Characteristics CTR for PC817C at IF=5mA or 10mA" in TPC817%20SERIES_C1612.pdf

Looking for "Electrical Characteristics forward voltage of input diode" in TPC817%20SERIES_C1612.pdf

Looking for "Electrical Characteristics collector current, saturation voltage conditions" in TPC817%20SERIES_C1612.pdf

Looking for "Switching characteristics response time frequency bandwidth" in TPC817%20SERIES_C1612.pdf

Looking for "Package information pin configuration and outline" in TPC817%20SERIES_C1612.pdf

Using Schematic Tool.

Planning the data queries.

Here is an overview of Q5 (PC817C optocoupler), its operation, notable characteristics, and how it fits in the PC817 family.
What it is and purpose
  • Type: Phototransistor optocoupler (galvanic isolation between LED input and transistor output).
  • Purpose: Break ground loops, protect low-voltage logic from higher/noisy domains, level-shift and transfer digital or slow analog signals across an isolation barrier.
How it works in a circuit
  • Internals: An input IR LED optically drives a phototransistor output (no electrical connection between sides).
  • Typical use:
    • Drive the LED with a current-limiting resistor from a control signal.
    • Use the phototransistor as an open-collector output with a pull-up on the collector; the emitter returns to the isolated ground.
  • In this design (connections observed):
    • Q5 connects to GND, to R5 (Net 13), and to the [Digital Out](Digital Out) header channel (Net 15). This is consistent with: R5 setting LED current on the input side, and the transistor side referenced to GND driving a digital output via an open-collector/pull-up arrangement.
  • Design tips (best practices):
    • Size the LED current-limiting resistor for the needed input current; ensure the pull-up resistor allows sufficient collector current given CTR and your logic thresholds.
    • For harsh environments, check CTR derating vs. temperature and adjust LED current accordingly.
Notable characteristics (from the PC817/TPC817 datasheet)
  • Isolation voltage (Viso): 5000 Vrms.
  • CTR rank “C”: MIN 200% / MAX 400% (at IF = 5 mA, VCE = 5 V).
  • Forward voltage of LED: 1.2 V typ, 1.4 V max (at IF = 20 mA).
  • Collector-emitter voltage (VCEO): 80 V.
  • Cut-off frequency: 80 kHz. Typical switching times: tr 4–18 µs, tf 3–18 µs.
  • Mechanical: DIP-4 package with creepage distance > 7.62 mm; also available in DIP-4M and SOP-4.
Common applications
  • MCU/PLC input-output isolation.
  • Power-supply feedback isolation (with appropriate linearization).
  • Noise and ground-loop isolation between subsystems.
  • Interfacing sensors or external signals to microcontrollers with different grounds.
Family/series overview (PC817 ranks)
  • The PC817 family is binned by CTR (current transfer ratio). Ranks differ by guaranteed CTR range at specified conditions:
    PC817 CTR Ranks (IF = 5 mA, VCE = 5 V)

    Table


    RankMIN CTRMAX CTR
    PC817A80%160%
    PC817B130%260%
    PC817C200%400%
    PC817D300%600%
How to choose among A/B/C/D
  • Use lower-CTR bins (A/B) when you have ample LED current and want tighter switching behavior.
  • Use higher-CTR bins (C/D, like Q5) when LED drive current is limited or you need larger output current for a given input current.
  • Note: Higher CTR bins can show more variation over temperature and may trade off speed; always consult derating and switching characteristics.
Key takeaways for Q5 (PC817C) in this project
  • It provides galvanic isolation for the [Digital Out](Digital Out) channel with a comfortably high CTR bin (C = 200–400%).
  • Ensure R5 is chosen so the LED current, multiplied by CTR(min), yields enough collector current to assert your logic level through the chosen pull-up.
  • Keep in mind the 5000 Vrms isolation rating and creepage: good for robust separation between domains.
All specifications above are taken directly from the PC817/TPC817 datasheet for the C rank. If you want, I can compute a recommended R5 value from your drive voltage and target LED current, and suggest a pull-up value based on your logic thresholds.
Check R5 sizing
Pick pull-up value
Confirm pin mapping
Swap to faster opto
Noise/derating check
10 days

Ready.




  • Ground
    A common return path for electric current. Commonly known as ground.
  • Net Portal
    Wirelessly connects nets on schematic. Used to organize schematics and separate functional blocks. To wirelessly connect net portals, give them same designator. #portal
  • Power Net Portal
    Wirelessly connects power nets on schematic. Identical to the net portal, but with a power symbol. Used to organize schematics and separate functional blocks. To wirelessly connect power net portals, give them the same designator. #portal #power
  • Generic Resistor
    A generic fixed resistor for rapid developing circuit topology. Save precious design time by seamlessly add more information to this part (value, footprint, etc.) as it becomes available. Standard resistor values: 1.0Ω 10Ω 100Ω 1.0kΩ 10kΩ 100kΩ 1.0MΩ 1.1Ω 11Ω 110Ω 1.1kΩ 11kΩ 110kΩ 1.1MΩ 1.2Ω 12Ω 120Ω 1.2kΩ 12kΩ 120kΩ 1.2MΩ 1.3Ω 13Ω 130Ω 1.3kΩ 13kΩ 130kΩ 1.3MΩ 1.5Ω 15Ω 150Ω 1.5kΩ 15kΩ 150kΩ 1.5MΩ 1.6Ω 16Ω 160Ω 1.6kΩ 16kΩ 160kΩ 1.6MΩ 1.8Ω 18Ω 180Ω 1.8KΩ 18kΩ 180kΩ 1.8MΩ 2.0Ω 20Ω 200Ω 2.0kΩ 20kΩ 200kΩ 2.0MΩ 2.2Ω 22Ω 220Ω 2.2kΩ 22kΩ 220kΩ 2.2MΩ 2.4Ω 24Ω 240Ω 2.4kΩ 24kΩ 240kΩ 2.4MΩ 2.7Ω 27Ω 270Ω 2.7kΩ 27kΩ 270kΩ 2.7MΩ 3.0Ω 30Ω 300Ω 3.0KΩ 30KΩ 300KΩ 3.0MΩ 3.3Ω 33Ω 330Ω 3.3kΩ 33kΩ 330kΩ 3.3MΩ 3.6Ω 36Ω 360Ω 3.6kΩ 36kΩ 360kΩ 3.6MΩ 3.9Ω 39Ω 390Ω 3.9kΩ 39kΩ 390kΩ 3.9MΩ 4.3Ω 43Ω 430Ω 4.3kΩ 43KΩ 430KΩ 4.3MΩ 4.7Ω 47Ω 470Ω 4.7kΩ 47kΩ 470kΩ 4.7MΩ 5.1Ω 51Ω 510Ω 5.1kΩ 51kΩ 510kΩ 5.1MΩ 5.6Ω 56Ω 560Ω 5.6kΩ 56kΩ 560kΩ 5.6MΩ 6.2Ω 62Ω 620Ω 6.2kΩ 62KΩ 620KΩ 6.2MΩ 6.8Ω 68Ω 680Ω 6.8kΩ 68kΩ 680kΩ 6.8MΩ 7.5Ω 75Ω 750Ω 7.5kΩ 75kΩ 750kΩ 7.5MΩ 8.2Ω 82Ω 820Ω 8.2kΩ 82kΩ 820kΩ 8.2MΩ 9.1Ω 91Ω 910Ω 9.1kΩ 91kΩ 910kΩ 9.1MΩ #generics #CommonPartsLibrary
  • Generic Capacitor
    A generic fixed capacitor ideal for rapid circuit topology development. You can choose between polarized and non-polarized types, its symbol and the footprint will automatically adapt based on your selection. Supported options include standard SMD sizes for ceramic capacitors (e.g., 0402, 0603, 0805), SMD sizes for aluminum electrolytic capacitors, and through-hole footprints for polarized capacitors. Save precious design time by seamlessly add more information to this part (value, footprint, etc.) as it becomes available. Standard capacitor values: 1.0pF 10pF 100pF 1000pF 0.01uF 0.1uF 1.0uF 10uF 100uF 1000uF 10,000uF 1.1pF 11pF 110pF 1100pF 1.2pF 12pF 120pF 1200pF 1.3pF 13pF 130pF 1300pF 1.5pF 15pF 150pF 1500pF 0.015uF 0.15uF 1.5uF 15uF 150uF 1500uF 1.6pF 16pF 160pF 1600pF 1.8pF 18pF 180pF 1800pF 2.0pF 20pF 200pF 2000pF 2.2pF 22pF 20pF 2200pF 0.022uF 0.22uF 2.2uF 22uF 220uF 2200uF 2.4pF 24pF 240pF 2400pF 2.7pF 27pF 270pF 2700pF 3.0pF 30pF 300pF 3000pF 3.3pF 33pF 330pF 3300pF 0.033uF 0.33uF 3.3uF 33uF 330uF 3300uF 3.6pF 36pF 360pF 3600pF 3.9pF 39pF 390pF 3900pF 4.3pF 43pF 430pF 4300pF 4.7pF 47pF 470pF 4700pF 0.047uF 0.47uF 4.7uF 47uF 470uF 4700uF 5.1pF 51pF 510pF 5100pF 5.6pF 56pF 560pF 5600pF 6.2pF 62pF 620pF 6200pF 6.8pF 68pF 680pF 6800pF 0.068uF 0.68uF 6.8uF 68uF 680uF 6800uF 7.5pF 75pF 750pF 7500pF 8.2pF 82pF 820pF 8200pF 9.1pF 91pF 910pF 9100pF #generics #CommonPartsLibrary
  • Generic Inductor
    A generic fixed inductor for rapid developing circuit topology. *You can now change the footprint and 3D model at the top level anytime you want. This is the power of #generics
  • Terminal
    Terminal
    An electrical connector acting as reusable interface to a conductor and creating a point where external circuits can be connected.
  • RMCF0805JT47K0
    47 kOhms ±5% 0.125W, 1/8W Chip Resistor 0805 (2012 Metric) Automotive AEC-Q200 Thick Film #forLedBlink
  • 875105359001
    10uF Capacitor Aluminum Polymer 20% 16V SMD 5x5.3mm #forLedBlink #commonpartslibrary #capacitor #aluminumpolymer #radialcan
  • CTL1206FYW1T
    Yellow 595nm LED Indication - Discrete 1.7V 1206 (3216 Metric) #forLedBlink

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