How to Test an Infrared LED

Infrared LEDs are found most commonly in television remote controls.
••• remote control image by Bianca from Fotolia.com

Infrared LEDs -- light emitting diodes -- are used in many remote-control systems, such as television remotes and garage door openers. Infrared has a longer wavelength than visible light, so you cannot see it with the naked eye. This makes it harder to diagnose problems with infrared LEDs, as you cannot see whether the LED is lit or not. The solution is to use a digital video camera or a video-enabled cell phone that can "view" the infrared light and display it on the viewfinder as a purple glow.

    Put fresh batteries in the device being tested. This rules out flat batteries and enables you to see if the infrared LED is faulty or not.

    Turn on the digital video camera. If using a cell phone, switch the phone to its digital video mode.

    Point the digital video camera or cell phone at the infrared LED. This is normally the area covered with black shiny plastic on a remote control, for example.

    Press a button on the remote control. If the infrared LED is working, it will appear on the digital camera's viewfinder as a purple glow.

    Tips

    • If the infrared LED is faulty, you can purchase replacements from most electrical stores or online.

Related Articles

How to Test UV Bulbs
How to Use a 9-Volt Battery to Power LEDs
How to Test a Diode Rectifier
Infrared Light Effect on Eyes
How to Check LEDs
Why is Quinine Fluorescent?
How to Test a Thermistor
How to Make a Homemade Black Light
How to Use a Geiger Counter
How Do Infrared Thermometers Work?
How to Write Notes on a TI-84 Silver Edition Calculator
How to Stop LED Lights From Blinking Too Fast
What Light Bulbs Do Not Emit UV Radiation?
How to Use a Variac
How to Use a Spectrophotometer
What Are the Colors of Neon?
Frequency of LED Lights
How to Reuse Old Solar Lights
How to Power a LED
How to Convert Incandescent Watts to LED Watts

Dont Go!

We Have More Great Sciencing Articles!