120VAC photo sensor to 5VDC input pin

[windozeuser]

I have this MP series diffuse photo sensor that operates off of 120VAC, the specification sheet is on page 2 of this PDF file:

https://www.electro-tech-online.com/custompdfs/2012/09/MP2520SERIES-specifications.pdf

The sensor has a built in LED everytime it is "energized" I was wondering if I could sense if the LED is lit and feed that to the Arduino but it sounds a little tacky and error prone. The photo sensor is mounted up against something so I cant really detect the IR beam with another sensor.


I was wondering whats the best most practical way to get the 120V output down to a digital I/O pin of an arduino. The thought I had was a solid state relay, but there has to be a cheaper way right?

I need to basically counter every time the sensor goes from LOW to HIGH sampled every 2 seconds

 

[alec_t]

A small transformer would get the volts down and provide isolation for safety.

 

[DemonicSandwich]

What about using an optocouple in place of the LED?
It would also provide isolation from the 120VAC.