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The Ultimate 6N137 Optocoupler Guide for Beginners

The 6N137 optocoupler helps connect two separate circuits safely and quickly, making it ideal for data transfer and noise reduction in electronic systems. This article will guide you through its features, uses, and how it works.

Catalog

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6N137 Overview

The 6N137 is a compact optocoupler, designed with an infrared LED linked to a high-speed photodetector logic gate. It works effectively to provide electrical isolation between input and output while ensuring quick response times. With an 8-pin DIP package, the 6N137 supports both through-hole and surface-mount configurations, making it versatile for different types of circuit board layouts. This component is built for high-speed data transmission and protection against electrical noise, offering reliability for a range of uses in microprocessor systems and communication interfaces.

6N137 Pin Configuration

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6N137 CAD Model

6N137 Symbol

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6N137 Footprint

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6N137 3D Model

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6N137 Key Features

High-Speed Data Transfer

The 6N137 offers fast data transfer at speeds of up to 10 Mbps. This makes it suitable for applications where quick communication is essential, ensuring efficient performance in systems that need to handle high-speed signals.

Excellent Noise Immunity

With a common mode transient immunity of 10 kV/µs, the 6N137 effectively reduces noise interference. This is especially useful in environments with frequent electrical noise, helping maintain reliable data transmission.

Wide Operating Temperature Range

The 6N137 operates reliably in temperatures ranging from -40°C to 85°C. This allows it to function well in both cold and warm conditions, giving flexibility to your designs and making it adaptable to various environments.

Logic Gate Output

Equipped with a logic gate output, the 6N137 can easily interface with digital circuits. This feature ensures compatibility with common logic families, making it easier to integrate into different systems.

High Isolation Voltage

The 6N137 provides an isolation voltage of 5000 VRMS, adding a layer of protection between input and output. This feature helps protect sensitive components from potential electrical surges, enhancing overall safety.

Compliance with Environmental Standards

Being RoHS-compliant and lead-free, the 6N137 meets environmental and safety standards. This compliance makes it a better choice for sustainable projects and ensures it’s safe to use in various applications.

6N137 Specifications

Technical specifications, features, characteristics, and components with comparable specifications of Everlight Electronics Co Ltd 6N137

[TABLE OF Specifications]

6N137 Common Applications

Ground Loop Elimination

The 6N137 is commonly used to eliminate ground loops in circuits. By providing isolation between input and output, it helps prevent unwanted signals from disrupting communication, which is especially helpful in sensitive electronic setups.

Data Transmission

In applications where data needs to be transferred quickly and securely, the 6N137 plays a vital role. Its high-speed capabilities make it suitable for reliable data transmission, ensuring that information is accurately communicated between devices.

Line Receivers

The 6N137 is often employed as a line receiver, facilitating clean signal reception from long cables or connections. This use is practical in systems where signals must travel over distances without degradation.

Switching Power Supplies

In switching power supplies, the 6N137 provides isolation between control and output stages. This keeps the power circuit protected from potential disruptions and enhances the stability of the overall power supply design.

Computer Peripheral Interfaces

For computer systems, the 6N137 can serve as an interface between different components, such as peripherals. Its ability to prevent interference ensures seamless communication, which is essential for systems where reliability is needed.

High-Speed Logic Ground Isolation

In high-speed logic circuits, the 6N137 offers ground isolation, helping to maintain signal integrity. This makes it a good choice for systems with sensitive logic circuits, as it minimizes the risk of cross-talk or noise affecting the signals.

6N137 Application Circuit

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6N137 Alternatives

MOC3021 (Zero-crossing), MCT2E (non-Zero transistor), MOC3041 (Non-Zero Cross TRIAC), FOD3180 (High-Speed MOSFET), PC817, 4N25

Applications for 6N137

The 6N137 optocoupler is widely used in systems that need strong electrical isolation to keep data signals clean and free from interference. It's commonly found in microprocessor-based systems where ground loop issues can cause errors, ensuring a stable signal path for accurate data communication. Additionally, this optocoupler is effective in analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog conversions, where signal clarity is important for precise operation. In cameras, the 6N137 is often integrated into strobe lights, managing the connection between the flash and other camera components, which highlights its ability to perform in various roles needing fast, reliable isolation.

Comparing 6N137 and 6N138

While both the 6N137 and 6N138 are optocouplers, each has different strengths suited to specific tasks. The 6N137 offers a higher speed, making it more suitable for applications that need fast data transfer and minimal delay. However, it may require a higher pull-up resistor to stabilize performance, especially to reduce the chances of transient leaks on the circuit board. On the other hand, the 6N138 operates at a slower speed, which can be sufficient for lower-speed tasks like MIDI communication. It’s generally easier to use with a low pull-up resistor, offering flexibility for basic isolation needs without as much concern for high-frequency noise. These differences make each component suitable for distinct types of electronic systems.

6N137 Package Information

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About 6N137 Manufacturer

The 6N137 optocoupler finds use in many electronic systems, particularly in those needing isolation between different parts to prevent interference. Microprocessor systems often use this optocoupler to reduce ground loops, ensuring smoother data communication. It’s also helpful in analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog conversions, where clean signal transfer is essential for accuracy. The 6N137 can also be used in camera strobe lights, allowing quick and safe communication between the flash mechanism and other parts of the device, showing its adaptability across various applications where reliable performance matters.

Frequently Asked Questions [FAQ]

1. What is the 6N137 optocoupler?

The 6N137 is a single-channel, high-speed optocoupler, built to transfer signals quickly between isolated circuits. It operates at 10 Mbit/sec, making it suitable for applications where fast and reliable data transfer is needed. Inside, it has an infrared (IR) LED on the input side, paired with an NMOS transistor on the output, helping prevent signal leakage and maintaining isolation.

2. What are common uses for the 6N137 optocoupler?

The 6N137 is commonly used in applications that need noise reduction and secure data transmission. It's also effective for converting analog signals to digital and vice versa. In cameras, for instance, it helps control the strobe lights by keeping the signal isolated from other components.

3. How does the 6N137 function?

The 6N137 functions by linking two circuits through an optical connection, allowing them to stay electrically separate. This optocoupler has eight pins, with its input and output terminals isolated, letting it handle larger power, current, and AC voltage using only a small digital input signal.

4. What is the difference between the TLP521 and the 6N137?

The TLP521 and 6N137 serve similar purposes but have different designs. The TLP521 is often used in household appliances and computer systems, providing circuit isolation and reducing interference. It’s a good choice for less demanding applications. The 6N137, however, is a high-speed, single-channel optocoupler, equipped with an 850 nm AlGaAs LED and a photodetector with a Schottky clamp, making it a better fit for high-speed data transmission needs in isolated circuits.