photocell

American  

[foh-toh-sel] / ˈfoʊ toʊˌsɛl /

noun

Electronics.

1. a solid-state device that converts light into electrical energy by producing a voltage, as in a photovoltaic cell, or uses light to regulate the flow of current, as in a photoconductive cell: used in automatic control systems for doors, lighting, etc.

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photocell British  

/ ˈfəʊtəʊˌsɛl /

noun

1. Also called: photoelectric cell.   electric eye.  a device in which the photoelectric or photovoltaic effect or photoconductivity is used to produce a current or voltage when exposed to light or other electromagnetic radiation. They are used in exposure meters, burglar alarms, etc

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photocell Scientific  

/ fō′tō-sĕl′ /

1. See photoresistor

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Etymology

Origin of photocell

First recorded in 1890–95; photo- + cell

Example Sentences

The young Arthur received cast-off equipment, such as telephones, switch-gear and a photocell from his relative George Grimstone, an engineer who taught him to build wireless crystal sets.

From Nature • Jan. 17, 2017

"We looked at changing the timers but most of our street lights don't have timers they operate on a photocell, so if you upgrade the switch gear it's actually quite expensive."

From BBC • Jul. 15, 2011

Whether in the transmitter or in the linotype activator, the light is focused on the coded dot combinations and reflected into the photocell.

From Time Magazine Archive

The varying combinations cause correspondingly varying pulsations in the photocell.

From Time Magazine Archive

Today we combine a laser and a photocell, or a radar transmitter and a radio telescope, and in this way make active contact by light with distant objects.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan