| Raytheon CK2000 Raysistor | |
| Written by AnubisTTP on 2018-02-09 |
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If a steampunk fetishist was tasked with building an old-timey analog optoisolator, a raysistor might be the result. Raysistors are primitive optical isolation components that contain an incandescent bulb and a CDS photoresistor closely coupled in a blob of clear epoxy. The example shown here, a CK2000 manufactured by Raytheon, has had it's metal cover removed so the internal structure can be seen. Raysistors have one immediately obvious disadvantage over optoisolators... incandescent lamps can and do burn out. For this reason the CK2000 is designed to be a user replaceable part, and mates with a special four-pin socket that was provided in the same packaging.
Raytheon also produced much longer lasting raysistors that utilized a neon bulb instead of an incandescent lamp as the light source. This eliminated the threat of a burned out lamp filament, but resulted in a part with much more limited analog capabilities.
Raytheon CK2000 raysistor, shown with cover removed. The CK2000 is a primitive precursor to modern day optoisolators; it makes use of an incandescent bulb and photo-resistor to optically isolate an electrical signal.
The CK2000 is packaged in a metal can similar to a large quartz crystal.
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