CdS Photoresistors, LDR Light Dependent Resistor (PGM)

CdS Photoresistors - (PGM) Introduction

Light-Dependent Photoresistors Enhance System Efficiency and Ease-of-Design for Sensor Applications.

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  • CdS photo resistor (PGM)
  • LDR Light Dependent Photoresistor (PGM)
  • Photoresistor CdS (PGM)
  • LDR Light Dependent Resistor (PGM)
  • CdS Photoresistors (PGM)

The cadmium sulfide (CdS) or light dependent resistor (LDR) whose resistance is inversly dependent on the amount of light falling on it, is known by many names including the photo resistor, photoresistor, photoconductor, photoconductive cell, or simply the photocell.

A typical structure for a photoresistor uses an active semiconductor layer that is deposited on an insulating substrate. The semiconductor is normally lightly doped to enable it to have the required level of conductivity. Contacts are then placed either side of the exposed area.

The photo-resistor, CdS, or LDR finds many uses as a low cost photo sensitive element and was used for many years in photographic light meters as well as in other applications such as smoke, flame and burglar detectors, card readers and lighting controls for street lamps.

Providing design engineers with an economical CdS or LDR with high quality performance, Token Electronics now offers commercial grade PGM photoresistor. Designated the PGM Series, the photoresistors are available in 5mm, 12mm and 20mm sizes, the conformally epoxy or hermetical package offer high quality performance for applications that require quick response and good characteristic of spectrum.

Token has been designing and manufacturing high performance light dependent resistors for decades. Our product offerings are extensive and our experience with custom photoresistor is equally extensive. Contact us with your specific needs.

Download complete specification - Cds Photoresistors.

Features :
  • Epoxy or hermetical package
  • Good Characteristic of Spectrum
  • Quick Response, Reliable Performance
Applications :
  • Photoswitch, Photoelectric Control
  • Auto Flash for Camera, Electronic Toys, Industrial Control

(PGM5) 5mm CdS Epoxy resin Photo Resistors - Characteristics & Dimensions

Epoxy resin package 5mm CDS Photo Resistors PGM5**** series
Epoxy resin package
5mm CdS Photoresistors Appearance PGM5**** series
Epoxy resin package 5mm CDS Photo Resistors PGM5**** series Dimensions
Epoxy resin package
5mm PGM5**** series
Dimensions (Unit: mm)
  • Note: All dimensions are in mm and NTS.
Model Vmax (VDC) Pmax (mW) Ambient Temp (°C) Spectral Peak (nm) Photo Resistance (10Lx) (KΩ) Dark Resistance (MΩ) Min. γ Min. Response Time (ms)
Rise Decay
PGM5506 100 90 -30 ~ +70 540 2 ~ 6 0.15 0.6 30 40
PGM5516 100 90 -30 ~ +70 540 5 ~ 10 0.2 0.6 30 40
PGM5526 150 100 -30 ~ +70 540 8 ~ 20 1.0 0.6 20 30
PGM5537 150 100 -30 ~ +70 540 16 ~ 50 2.0 0.7 20 30
PGM5539 150 100 -30 ~ +70 540 30 ~ 90 5.0 0.8 20 30
PGM5549 150 100 -30 ~ +70 540 45 ~ 140 10.0 0.8 20 30
PGM5616D 150 100 -30 ~ +70 560 5 ~ 10 1.0 0.6 20 30
PGM5626D 150 100 -30 ~ +70 560 8 ~ 20 2.0 0.6 20 30
PGM5637D 150 100 -30 ~ +70 560 16 ~ 50 5.0 0.7 20 30
PGM5639D 150 100 -30 ~ +70 560 30 ~ 90 10.0 0.8 20 30
PGM5649D 150 100 -30 ~ +70 560 50 ~ 160 20.0 0.8 20 30
PGM5659D 150 100 -30 ~ +70 560 150 ~ 300 20.0 0.8 20 30

(PGM5-MP) 5mm CdS Hermetical package - Characteristics & Dimensions

Hermetical package 5mm CDS Photo Resistors PGM55**-MP series
Hermetical package
5mm CdS Photoresistors Appearance PGM55**-MP series
Hermetical package 5mm CDS Photo Resistors PGM55**-MP series Dimensions
Hermetical package
5mm PGM55**-MP series
Dimensions (Unit: mm)
  • Note: All dimensions are in mm and NTS.
Model Vmax (VDC) Pmax (mW) Ambient Temp (°C) Spectral Peak (nm) Photo Resistance (10Lx) (KΩ) Dark Resistance (MΩ) Min. γ Min. Response Time
(ms)
Rise Decay
PGM5506-MP 100 90 -30 ~ +70 540 2 ~ 6 0.15 0.6 30 40
PGM5516-MP 100 90 -30 ~ +70 540 5 ~ 10 0.2 0.6 30 40
PGM5526-MP 150 100 -30 ~ +70 540 8 ~ 20 1.0 0.6 20 30
PGM5537-MP 150 100 -30 ~ +70 540 16 ~ 50 2.0 0.7 20 30
PGM5539-MP 150 100 -30 ~ +70 540 30 ~ 90 5.0 0.8 20 30
PGM5549-MP 150 100 -30 ~ +70 540 45 ~ 140 10.0 0.8 20 30

(PGM12) 12mm CdS Epoxy resin package - Characteristics & Dimensions

Epoxy resin package 12mm Cds Photo Resistors PGM12** series
Epoxy resin package
12mm CdS Photo Resistors Appearance PGM12** series
Epoxy resin package 12mm Cds Photo Resistors PGM12** series Dimensions
Epoxy resin package
12mm Cds PGM12** series Dimensions (Unit: mm)
  • Note: All dimensions are in mm and NTS.
Model Vmax (VDC) Pmax (mW) Ambient Temp (°C) Spectral Peak (nm) Photo Resistance (10Lx) (KΩ) Dark Resistance (MΩ) Min. γ Min. Response Time (ms)
Rise Decay
PGM1200 250 250 -30 ~ +70 560 2~5 1.0 0.6 30 40
PGM1201 250 250 -30 ~ +70 560 4~10 2.0 0.7 30 30
PGM1202 250 250 -30 ~ +70 560 8~20 5.0 0.7 30 30
PGM1203 250 250 -30 ~ +70 560 18~50 10 0.8 30 30
PGM1204 250 250 -30 ~ +70 560 45~150 20 0.8 30 30
PGM1205 250 250 -30 ~ +70 560 140~300 20 0.8 30 30

(PGM12-MP) 12mm CdS Hermetical package - Characteristics & Dimensions

Hermetical package 12mm Cds Photo Resistors PGM12**-MP series
Hermetical package
12mm CdS Photo Resistors Appearance PGM12**-MP series
Hermetical package 12mm Cds Photo Resistors PGM12**-MP series Dimensions
Hermetical package
12mm Cds PGM12**-MP series Dimensions (Unit: mm)
  • Note: All dimensions are in mm and NTS.
Model Vmax (VDC) Pmax (mW) Ambient Temp (°C) Spectral Peak (nm) Photo Resistance (10Lx) (KΩ) Dark Resistance (MΩ) Min. γ Min. Response Time (ms)
Rise Decay
PGM1200-MP 250 250 -30 ~ +70 560 2~5 1.0 0.6 30 40
PGM1201-MP 250 250 -30 ~ +70 560 4~10 2.0 0.7 30 30
PGM1202-MP 250 250 -30 ~ +70 560 8~20 5.0 0.7 30 30
PGM1203-MP 250 250 -30 ~ +70 560 18~50 10 0.8 30 30
PGM1204-MP 250 250 -30 ~ +70 560 45~150 20 0.8 30 30
PGM1205-MP 250 250 -30 ~ +70 560 140~300 20 0.8 30 30

(PGM20) 20mm CdS Epoxy resin package - Characteristics & Dimensions

Epoxy resin package 20mm CDS Photo Resistors PGM20** series
Epoxy resin package
20mm CDS Photo Resistors Appearance PGM20** series
Epoxy resin package 20mm CDS Photo Resistors PGM20** series Dimensions
Epoxy resin package
20mm CdS PGM20** series Dimensions (Unit: mm)
  • Note: All dimensions are in mm and NTS.
Model Vmax (VDC) Pmax (mW) Ambient
Temp (°C)
Spectral Peak (nm) Photo Resistance
(10Lx) (KΩ)
Dark Resistance
(MΩ)min
γ min Response Time (ms)
Rise Decay
PGM2000 500 500 -30 ~ +70 560 2~5 1.0 0.6 30 40
PGM2001 500 500 -30 ~ +70 560 4~10 2.0 0.7 30 30
PGM2002 500 500 -30 ~ +70 560 8~20 5.0 0.7 30 30
PGM2003 500 500 -30 ~ +70 560 18~50 10 0.8 30 30
PGM2004 500 500 -30 ~ +70 560 45~150 20 0.8 30 30
PGM2005 500 500 -30 ~ +70 560 140~300 20 0.8 30 30

(PGM20-PP) 20mm CdS Hermetical package - Characteristics & Dimensions

Hermetical package 20mm CDS Photo Resistors PGM20**-PP series
Hermetical package
20mm CDS Photo Resistors Appearance PGM20**-PP series
Hermetical package 20mm CDS Photo Resistors PGM20**-PP series Dimensions
Hermetical package
20mm CdS PGM20**-PP series Dimensions (Unit: mm)
  • Note: All dimensions are in mm and NTS.
Model Vmax (VDC) Pmax (mW) Ambient
Temp (°C)
Spectral Peak (nm) Photo Resistance
(10Lx) (KΩ)
Dark Resistance
(MΩ)min
γ min Response Time (ms)
Rise Decay
PGM2000-PP 500 500 -30 ~ +70 560 2~5 1.0 0.6 30 40
PGM2001-PP 500 500 -30 ~ +70 560 4~10 2.0 0.7 30 30
PGM2002-PP 500 500 -30 ~ +70 560 8~20 5.0 0.7 30 30
PGM2003-PP 500 500 -30 ~ +70 560 18~50 10 0.8 30 30
PGM2004-PP 500 500 -30 ~ +70 560 45~150 20 0.8 30 30
PGM2005-PP 500 500 -30 ~ +70 560 140~300 20 0.8 30 30

(PGM) Light Dependent Resistor Terminology

Spectral Response (PGM) CdS Photoresistors
Spectral Response
(PGM) CdS Photoresistors
CdS Construction (PGM) Light Dependent Resistors
CdS Construction
(PGM) Light Dependent Resistors
  • Light Resistance :
    Measured at 10 lux with standard light A (2854K-color temperature) and 2hr. preillumination at 400-600 lux prior testing.


  • Dark Resistance :
    Measured at 10th seconds after closing 10 lux.


  • Pmax :
    Max. power dissipation at ambient temperature of 25°C.At higher ambient temperature,the maximum power permissible may be lowered.


  • Vmax :
    Max. voltage in darkness that may be applied to the device continuously.


  • Spectral peak :
    Spectral sensitivity of photoresistors depends on the wavelength of light they are exposed to and in accordance with figure 'Spectral Response'. The tolerance of spectral peak is ±50nm.


  • Gamma characteristic :
    Under 10 lux and 100 lux and given by γ = log(R10/R100) / log(100/10) = log(R10/R100) R10, R100: resistance at 10 lux and 100 lux. The tolerance of  γ is ±0.1.

(PGM) Physical and Environmental Characteristics

Item Conditions Performance
Solderability Put the terminals into welding tank at temp. 230±5°C for 2±0.5s (terminal roots are 5mm away from the tin surface). wetting>95%
Temperature Changing Change of temperature in accordance with: TA: -40°C TB: +60°C Number of cycles: 5  Exposure duration: 30min Drift of R10 = ± 20%
No visible damage
Constant humidity and heat 1. Put the device in test box at Temperature: 60±5°C
Humidity: 90-95% Illumination: 0lux Duration: 100h
2. Take the device and measure after24h at normal temperature and humidity.
Drift of R10= ± 30%
No visible damage
Constant load Temperature At 25±5°C
Illumination: 150lux at rated power
Duration: 600h
No visible damage
Wire Terminals Strength Bend the wire terminal at its root to 90 degree,and then bend it to a opposite direction. No visible damage
Vibration Frequency: 50Hz
Swing: 1.5mm with
Directions: parallel to ceramic substrate normal to ceramic substrate. Duration:2h
No visible damage

(PGM) Order Codes

PGM5516 P
Part Number
PGM5****
PGM12**
PGM20**
PGM5***-MP
PGM12**-MP
PGM20**-PP
Package
P Bulk