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Explore the factors influencing the lifespan of photocells, from construction materials to environmental conditions and usage patterns. Learn how to optimize their durability and manage expectations for reliable performance in light-sensing applications.

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An outdoor photocontrol sensor, also known as a Light Dependent Resistor (LDR) is a sensor comprising of a semiconductor as its main component. Its resistance changes with a change in ambient light. This altering resistance allows or obstructs the flow of electric current. Depending upon this ability of photocells to control the flow of current, these devices have found wide ranging applications.

One of the most common uses of these outdoor photocontrol switches is in the outdoor lights. They are used to reduce the hassle of manually operating the light fixtures. As the outdoor light drops below a specified level, for example at dusk, the photocells turn the light on automatically. The reverse of this happens at dawn as the ambient light increases above a certain level. This helps improve the energy efficiency.

However, like all other electronic devices, these photocells too have a life span. Especially since these are used outdoors, one of the major concerns of users is to find out how long a photocell will last keeping in view the changing environmental conditions and other factors.

Longevity of a photocell is dependent on a plethora of factors. Ranging from the specific make of the photocell, and quality of its various components, to specific environmental conditions and the way they are used, there are several elements that can impact the lifespan of a photocell. Let’s explore the most important ones of them.

Factors Impacting the Lifespan of A Photocell

Life of Semiconductors

The photocells have a semiconductor at the core of their operation. Tow of the most common ones include those made using cadmium sulfide (CdS) and cadmium selenide (CdSe). These semiconductors degrade with time. Where some might take longer than others, they ultimately do have a life span and the process of their degradation is dependent on factors like exposure toheat, light, moisture, and pollutants. The longer they take to degrade, the longer a photocell lasts. In other words, lifespan of a photocell can be prolonged by selecting a semiconductor that has a longer lifespan.

Environmental Factors

The environment in which a photocell is installed has a lot of impact on its working, durability, and longevity. Specifically talking about those installed outdoors, for example in street lights or gardening landscape lights, they have to bear harsh conditions including temperature extremes, moisture, pollutants, and harsh weather conditions. These factors over time can reduce the life span of an outdoor photocell.

Exposure to Light

Continuous exposure to light and ultraviolet rays can impact the life expectancy of photocells. The outdoor photocells are exposed to light for many hours and that too sometimes to intense light. Besides, when there are periods of frequent and abrupt changes in light intensity due to changing weather conditions, the photocells are frequently under stress. This stress impacts their longevity.

This is especially true for those photocells which are installed in areas that witness sunny weather for most parts of the year. In such climate conditions, installing photocells, facing away from sun can help shorten the periods of over-intense light while still receiving enough ambient light to work appropriately.

Certified Vs Un-Certified Photocells

Buying uncertified products puts buyers on risk of buying low-quality, below average photocells. When you look for certified photocells only, for example Zhaga certified photocells, it means these have been tested to stand the challenge of environmental factors and have been fitted with such components that meet threshold of quality and efficiency. These certified outdoor photcontrol switches not only guarantee better performance but also last longer in even in the face of challenges. Go for those photocontrol cells that have such universally accepted certifications as CE certificate. These ensure energy efficiency, longevity, and protection amidst risk prone environments. Hence, going for certified photocells provides you with peace of mind and long lasting photocells.

Continuous Maintenance

The upkeep and maintenance of outdoor photocells also have a considerable role to play in deciding the life of a photocell. It lets you troubleshoot any developing problem in the earliest stages. Besides, when you are conscious about timely removal of debris, dust, and other unwanted pollutants, the photocells keep performing to their best and will not be degraded sooner than expected.

Most photocells manufacturers also mention the expected lifespan of their products on the manual. Although, the precise life of any photocell is highly dependent on the above mentioned factors, but this mentioned lifespan gives you a rough idea about what to expect. However, when a photocell is maintained well and is not frequently exposed to extreme conditions, you can expect years and years of highest performance.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while it’s difficult to provide a precise figure for the lifespan of a photocell due to various factors at play, understanding the influences on its durability can help manage expectations and optimize its usage. By considering factors such as construction materials, operating environment, light exposure, and maintenance practices, users can maximize the lifespan of photocells and ensure reliable performance in light-sensing applications.

References

• https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zqxb4qt/revision/8#:~:text=The%20LDR,current%20can%20flow%20through%20it.
• https://depts.washington.edu/matseed/mse_resources/Webpage/semiconductor/semiconductor.htm#:~:text=Semiconductors%20are%20materials%20which%20have,gallium%20arsenide%20or%20cadmium%20selenide.
• https://leaditop.com/product-category/product/zhaga-control/zhaga-sensor/