dfh.fm
TCRT5000 Sensor
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Vishay TCRT5000 reflective optical sensor on a breakout board — the canonical IR photoelectric switch for 3D-printer filament runout sensing, endstops, encoder wheels, and line-following projects. Sold individually for repairs, custom builds, or to upgrade an existing kit.
Why the TCRT5000 instead of an endstop microswitch
- Non-contact: the filament never mechanically actuates a lever, so no wear on switches or springs over thousands of cycles.
- Detects a wide range of materials — opaque PLA, PETG, ABS, PETG-CF, PA-CF, PLA-AERO, even translucent PETG when the threshold is dialed correctly.
- Analog + digital output — the analog pin lets Klipper or Marlin map signal strength for advanced sensing (e.g. ERCF toolhead sensor uses the analog curve to detect the leading edge of the filament tip before the print is interrupted).
- Inexpensive enough to spec per-toolhead — multi-material and ERCF builds need one per toolhead.
Specifications
- Sensor IC: Vishay TCRT5000 (IR LED 950 nm + phototransistor in one package)
- Supply voltage: 3.3 V – 5 V DC
- Current draw: ~10 mA typical (LED on)
- Sensing distance: ~0.5 – 15 mm depending on surface reflectance
- Outputs: AO (analog, 0 – Vcc) and DO (digital, threshold set by on-board trimpot)
- Output indicator: on-board LED lights on detection
- Header: 4-pin 2.54 mm (Vcc / GND / DO / AO)
- PCB dimensions: ~32 × 14 mm
- Mounting: two 3 mm through-holes on 28 mm centers
Intended use / machine fitment
- ERCF (Enraged Rabbit Carrot Feeder) toolhead sensor — this is the sensor board the ERCF Toolhead Sensor Kit and the Binky ERCF encoder are designed around. If you need a replacement, this is it.
- Filament runout sensor for Voron, Ender 3, Prusa MK-series, RatRig, and any printer running Klipper or Marlin with a generic GPIO/analog input.
- Bed probe / endstop for optical applications (note: not a substitute for a precision probe like Voron Tap or PCB Klicky).
- Encoder / tachometer for spool rotation sensing on direct-drive extruders.
- Line-following and robotics outside of 3D printing — works fine on 5 V Arduino / Raspberry Pi Pico projects.
What this is — and what it isn't
- This is a breakout module (the TCRT5000 IC on a small carrier PCB with header pins and a sensitivity trimpot), not the bare IC. If you need a surface-mount component for a custom PCB, source the IC directly from an authorized distributor.
- Not a precision probe. Reflective sensing is great for filament presence but lacks the repeatability of a tactile probe for mesh bed leveling. Use the right tool for the job.
- Not invisible to clear filament. Fully transparent PC or TPU will not trigger reliably without a contrast marker or a different sensor type. For most common 3D-printer filaments the TCRT5000 works out of the box.
Shipping & Returns
Returns:
Thank you for purchasing from dfh.fm. I want you to be completely satisfied with your purchase. If for any reason you are not satisfied, you may return your purchase within 60 days of the original purchase date.
Defective items: Please inspect items upon receipt. If you receive a defective item, you may return it for a full refund or replacement within 90 days of the original purchase date. Please contact me to initiate a return for a defective item.
Non-defective items: If you are not satisfied with a non-defective item, you may return it for a refund within 30 days of the original purchase date. A 20% restocking fee will be deducted from the refund amount, to offset the time and inconvenience, as I am the sole employee processing the return and restocking the item. The fee also covers the costs associated with processing the return. Refunds for non-defective items will be issued through the original payment method.
Preordered items: Due to the nature of preorders, delivery dates are subject to change. Please keep in mind that, If you have preordered an item, it is not eligible for a refund until after it has arrived at the store. Once the item arrives at the store and is inspected, you may request a refund within 30 days of the original purchase date. Please note that refunds for preordered items may take up to 10 days to be issued.
To initiate a return, please open a ticket on the shop’s discord channel, with your order number and the reason for the return. We will provide you with further instructions on how to return your purchase.
Thank you for shopping with us. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact me, via Discord.
Order alterations and cancellations:
Once an order has ben submitted, no alterations can be made. This includes adding or removing items or canceling orders. You are welcome to return an order, once you have taken receipt, following the returns procedure listed above.
Shipping:
US Shipping is via UPS or USPS. The way it is set up shows the least expensive options for standard, priority and express shipping. I can not take special requests for specific carriers at this time.
International shipping is mostly UPS, as I utilize Zonos/UPS integration to tally extremely accurate import and shipping costs.
I require a telephone and email with international orders and you must make yourself available to the carrier or your customs, should they require more information. If you are unreachable and the package is discarded or rerturned, I will not be responsible for rerturning your shipping cost.
If there is a problem with an international order, it is my choice to refund part or all of the order, or send a replacement.
Addresses are verified through Shopify, but the customer is still responsible for inputting their address in the correct format. Any returns or lost shipments, due to incorrectly addressed packages, are the responsibility of the customer.
