Are photoresistors reliable for light sensing applications?

Question

I've used photoresistors for hobby projects before, such as this one:

http://www.foxytronics.com/learn/electronics/kit-guides/starter-electronics-kit-guide/making-an-led-light-sensor

However, now I'm working on a commercial product that needs to sense when it's dark and I'm unsure of whether the circuit I designed on the above page is adequate. The reason I'm concerned is that in my experience photoresistors have very low wide tolerances (i.e. high deviations in photosensitivity).

If you were designing a low cost circuit that could output a HIGH logic level when dark and LOW logic level when light (or vice-versa), would you use a circuit with a photoresistor like the one I designed, or is there something else that is more reliable?

Answer 1

How to deal with highly variable components? Pick one or more:

1. tune each device manually
2. restrict your problem domain to fit within the available tolerance of the components
3. tune each device automatically (e.g. a circuit built into your device which finds the light-dark range of the photoresistor automatically and saves the result somewhere)
4. sort devices to fit your problem domain

The best results will happen when you hit the sweet spot of the device working correctly for all inputs with a minimum of labor and parts.

Answer 2

I don't see why a photoresistor wouldn't work. If you're concerned about tolerances, put a resistor in series with the photoresistor. This will reduce the effects of variation in the component. This also reduces the effects of light changes, which may be good or bad, depending on your needs. For tuning, you can replace R2 in your diagram with a potentiometer (At least when prototyping). With a simple circuit like the one you linked, it's really easy to prototype it. So, I wouldn't say, "I'm unsure of whether the circuit I designed on the above page is adequate." I'd build the circuit and test it.

There's some caveats, here. Manufacturers give tolerances for a reason. When designing the circuit, it would be best to assume first one extreme, then the other. Additionally, will you be working in a hot or cold environment? Most silicon devices are temperature-sensitive. If you first simulate your circuit using something like Spice, you can specify this, and it will be included in the simulation. The takeaway here, for a simple circuit like this, is to build it first and see if it will be sufficient, then improve the design based on any problems you see.