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    Photoelectric Sensors

    What are Photoelectric Sensors?

    Photoelectric sensors determine the distance, absence, or presence of physical objects by emitting a field or beam of electromagnetic radiation. An object is detected by measuring alterations in the return signal, this is achieved as sensors have an Emitter for emitting light and a Receiver for receiving light. There are 3 main types of photoelectric sensors, through-beam, retro-reflective and diffuse, which vary slightly in the way they function.

    The basic function of each is to detect the presence or absence of objects or measure the distance to the object. You can learn more in our complete guide to photoelectric sensors.

    Types of Photoelectric Sensors:

    Through-beam Sensors

    Through Beam Sensors (aka thru-beam) rely on two separate housings, one for the transmitter and one for the receiver, with the transmitter providing a continuous beam of light to the receiver. Each time an object passes through the beam this interrupts the signal between the transmitter and receiver, which in turn causes the receiver to send an electrical signal to the output. Through-beam sensors are suited to long-distance sensing and can detect almost any object, irrespective of colour or angular motion.

    Retro-reflective Sensors

    Retro-reflective photoelectric sensors (retroreflective) have both the transmitter and receiver contained within the same housing but require a reflector opposite to the sensor. The reflector bounces the light beam back to the transmitter until an object breaks the beam. Objects which are highly reflective such as aluminium require sensors with polarising filters. The filter allows the sensor to acknowledge that the reflected light from reflecting materials is different from the reflector.

    Diffuse Sensors

    Diffuse sensors (proximity sensor) are easier to install as only one device must be mounted. This is because the transmitter and receiver are contained within one housing. Diffuse sensors use the reflection from the target object within a predetermined sensing range.

    The transmitter sends out a continuous beam of light, once this hits the target it is diffused in all directions, a part of this light is reflected and recognised by the receiver, the receiver then sends an electrical signal to the output. A special type of diffused mode is background suppression which enables the user to precisely control the sensing range.

    Applications of Photoelectric Sensors

    Photoelectric Sensors can be used in various settings, some of which include:

    • Food Industry
    • Pharmaceutical Industry
    • Packaging Plants
    • Automotive Industry
    • Doors & Gates

    Browse the broad range of Photoelectric Sensors RS Components have to offer and order today for next day delivery.

    6714 Products showing for Photoelectric Sensors

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    Convergent
    10 mm
    Bipolar NPN/PNP
    Pigtail QD
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    Eaton
    Square
    Diffuse Reflective
    200 mm
    PNP
    Cable
    Dark Switching
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    SICK
    Rectangular
    Background Suppression
    300 mm
    PNP / NPN
    2m, Cable Open End
    Light Switching
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    30V
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    2m, Cable Open End
    Visible Red
    IP67
    100 mA
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    0.5 ms
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    Plastic
    +65°C
    -40°C
    Panel Mount
    HTB18
    SICK
    Block
    Through Beam
    0 → 14.5 m
    Light/Dark Switching, PNP
    M8 Connector
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    30V
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    4 Pin Connector
    Infrared
    IP67, IP69K
    100 mA
    -
    0.000625 seconds
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    Stainless Steel
    +55°C
    -25°C
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    G6 Inox
    SICK
    Block
    Through Beam
    0 → 15 m
    Light/Dark Switching, PNP
    M8 Connector
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    -
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    30V
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    3 Pin Connector
    Polarized Red Light
    IP67
    100 mA
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    0.0005 seconds
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    Plastic
    +55°C
    -25°C
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    G6
    SICK
    Block
    Distance
    200 mm
    NPN
    5-Pin, Male Connector M12
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    30V
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    5-Pin, Male Connector M12
    Laser Red
    IP65
    100 mA
    -
    20 ms
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    Plastic
    +65°C
    -30°C
    Panel Mount
    DT50
    Banner
    Rectangular
    Retroreflective
    2000 mm
    PNP
    Cable
    Light / Dark switching
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    Banner
    Rectangular
    diffuse
    380 mm
    NPN/PNP
    Cable
    Light / Dark switching
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    Banner
    U Shaped
    Opposed
    30 mm
    NPN
    M8
    Light / Dark switching
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    SICK
    Rectangular
    Retroreflective
    15 m
    Electrically Isolated, Relay SPDT
    2 m, 5-wire, Cable
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    30V
    -
    2 m, 5-wire, Cable
    Visible Red
    IP67
    3 A
    -
    10 ms
    -
    Plastic
    +60°C
    -30°C
    Panel Mount
    GL10
    Omron
    Cylindrical
    Through Beam
    3900 mm
    NPN
    DC
    Light / Dark switching
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    SICK
    Block
    Background Suppression
    50 mm → 1.8 m
    NPN, PNP, PUSH/PULL
    M12 Connector
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    -
    -
    30V
    -
    5 Pin Connector
    Red Light
    IP67
    100 mA
    -
    0.0167 seconds
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    Plastic
    +50°C
    -35°C
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    PowerProx
    Banner
    Block
    Diffuse
    130 mm
    Bipolar NPN/PNP
    5-pin M12 Integral QD
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    SICK
    Block
    Distance
    30 mm
    PNP
    5-Pin, Male Connector M12
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    -
    -
    30V
    -
    5-Pin, Male Connector M12
    Laser Red
    IP65
    20 mA
    Analogue
    250 ms
    -
    Metal
    +45°C
    -40°C
    Panel Mount
    DT500
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