A color sensor usually has a light source as part of its system. The light source sheds light on a subject area, then the sensor detects and breaks down colors into components. These sensors are able to detect colors that are near the target color, or even exactly the same as the target color. Alternatively, some color sensors only detect the difference or similarity in color between the target color and other colors.

Applications include product seal, package and transparent product checking. Color sensors also work well for industrial sorting and quality checks, and also have many applications in laboratories. Various color light sensors operate differently:

1. A true color sensor bases on the colors red, green and blue (or occasionally on other color sets). Combinations of these colors make a great deal of the total light spectrum.

2. Some color sensors detect reflected light as wavelengths and then convert the wavelengths to output voltages. One advantage is that this type not only detects the colors visible to the human eye, but also ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) light ranges.

3. Other sensors measure by contrasting between colors or shades.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Locate color sensors for sale for packaging processes and quality control

Color sensors can help you keep the outward appearance of your products consistent and appealing by checking package print as well as, for instance, consistency in beverage color. Secondly, when you use color sensors to check seal skirt or lining length and other seal quality checks, these sensors can play a role in making sure what's inside stays fresh.

I recommend: IDEC has a nice color sensor product that uses the red, green, blue (RGB) color model. The sensor is three channel and the device has three independent outputs. Avago Technologies is another source. They have a number of RGB products, including four channel color sensors.

Buy from product sorting color sensor suppliers

A color light sensor can perform many types of sorting functions. One example is sorting batches of bricks that have slightly different shades.

I recommend: Pepperl+Fuchs, Inc. carries many types of photoelectric sensors, including optical color sorting sensors. Another place to buy color sensors online is AA Electric. They sell a huge number of photoelectric sensors, some of which are ideal color sensors for batch sorting.

Find color sensor distributors that carry highly-programmable devices

Programmable color sensors have more versatility. Additionally, for scientific and complex industrial processes, sophistication is necessary.

I recommend: The HiTechnic NXT Color Sensor is computer programmable and uses three separate light emitting diodes (LEDs) to produce reflected light for relative comparisons or contrasts. Especially for science applications, HunterLab is a good resource. They carry color measurement scanners in both stationary and portable forms and also provide technical support for their products.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you have some applications where you need to detect only one color and others where you need to detect multiple, you don't necessarily need two devices. Some programmable color sensors can perform both operations.