Optocouplers, also known as opto-isolators, are electronic components designed to provide galvanic isolation between circuits. Key benefits - Protects sensitive devices by isolating input and output to shield microcontrollers, sensors, and measurement equipment from voltage spikes, noise, and ground loops. - Enables safe testing and interfacing, allowing signals to be transmitted without a direct electrical connection and reducing risk during development and diagnostics. - Improves reliability with stable isolation performance across typical operating conditions. Key attributes - Function: provide electrical isolation while allowing signal transfer between circuits. - Compatibility: suitable for common control and measurement circuits; can interface logic signals with higher voltage domains. - Size: compact package suitable for space-limited designs. - Material: built with LED input and photodetector in a sealed housing. - Performance: consistent isolation, low leakage current, and reliable switching under standard conditions. Use scenarios - Isolate a microcontroller I/O line when interfacing with a high voltage motor driver to prevent transients from affecting the controller. - Protect a data acquisition system by isolating sensor inputs from noisy industrial environments. - Interface a PLC with field devices to prevent ground loops and stray voltages from impacting control logic.