MY CREATIVE ENGINEERING: TCRT5000 3 Channel Line Tracker Sensor Module with Arduino Uno

The TCRT5000 3 Channel Line Tracker Sensor Module is widely used in robotics and automation projects for detecting lines and distinguishing between black and white surfaces. It uses infrared (IR) reflective sensors to measure the amount of reflected light from a surface.

TCRT5000 3-channel line tracker sensor module used with Arduino Uno.

In this project, we will interface a TCRT5000 3-channel module with an Arduino Uno and observe how the sensor responds to black and white surfaces using the Arduino Serial Monitor.

What is the TCRT5000 Line Tracker Sensor?

The TCRT5000 is an infrared reflective sensor consisting of an IR LED transmitter and a phototransistor receiver. When infrared light is emitted, the amount of reflected light depends on the surface color.

White surfaces reflect more infrared light.
Black surfaces absorb more infrared light.

Line detection principle based on reflected infrared light.

This principle allows the sensor to detect lines and is commonly used in line-following robots.

Components Required

Components needed for the TCRT5000 Arduino project.

Arduino Uno
TCRT5000 3 Channel Line Tracker Module
Dupont Jumper Wires
USB Cable
Cardboard
Black Electrical Tape

Wiring Connections

Wiring diagram between the TCRT5000 module and Arduino Uno.

VCC → 5V
GND → GND
L → A0
C → A1
R → A2

Arduino Code

Arduino sketch for reading three TCRT5000 sensor channels.

Upload the following code to the Arduino Uno. You can download coding click HERE.

int L = A0;
int C = A1;
int R = A2;

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);
}

void loop() {
  int valL = analogRead(L);
  int valC = analogRead(C);
  int valR = analogRead(R);

  Serial.print("L: ");
  Serial.print(valL);

  Serial.print(" C: ");
  Serial.print(valC);

  Serial.print(" R: ");
  Serial.println(valR);

  delay(300);
}

How the Code Works

The program continuously reads the analog values from the three sensor channels.

Left sensor connected to A0
Center sensor connected to A1
Right sensor connected to A2

The sensor readings are displayed in the Arduino Serial Monitor every 300 milliseconds.

Sensor Testing

To test the module:

Place the sensor above a white cardboard surface.
Observe the indicator LEDs on the module.
Move the sensor above the black tape line.
Compare the readings shown on the Serial Monitor.

White Surface

Sensor positioned above a white reflective surface.

When the sensor is positioned above the white cardboard:

The infrared light is strongly reflected.
Indicator LEDs turn ON.
Higher sensor readings are observed.

Black Surface

Sensor positioned above a black non-reflective surface.

When the sensor is positioned above the black tape:

Less infrared light is reflected.
Indicator LEDs turn OFF.
Sensor readings change significantly.

This difference allows robots to detect and follow a black line on a white background.

Adjusting Sensor Sensitivity

Sensitivity adjustment using the onboard potentiometer.

The blue potentiometer on the module allows sensitivity adjustment.

Turn clockwise to increase sensitivity.
Turn counterclockwise to decrease sensitivity.

Adjust the potentiometer until the sensor can clearly distinguish between the black tape and white cardboard.

Applications

Line Following Robots
Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV)
Obstacle Detection Systems
Surface Color Detection
Industrial Automation Projects
Educational Robotics Projects

📦 Where to Buy

Shopee:

Lazada:

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Conclusion

The TCRT5000 3 Channel Line Tracker Sensor Module is an inexpensive and effective sensor for line detection applications. By interfacing it with an Arduino Uno, we can easily monitor sensor readings and detect the difference between black and white surfaces.

This project demonstrates the basic operation of the sensor and provides a foundation for building line-following robots and automation systems.

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Friday, June 5, 2026

TCRT5000 3 Channel Line Tracker Sensor Module with Arduino Uno