-
Pepperl+Fuchs
418075
Photoelectric Sensor, Color Mark, Static Mode, 25 mm ± 6 mm Range, Returns of This Item Must Be Approved by Manufacturer
$608.16$608.16 -
$385.56$385.56 -
Pepperl+Fuchs
421144
Photoelectric, NPN/PNP, DC, Retroreflective, Pol, IP67, Terminal Conn, 17m Sensing, Polarized, Returns of This Item Must Be Approved by Manufacturer
$392.00$392.00 -
Leuze
50110110
Forked Photoelectric Sensor, 2mm Gap/Width, LED, M8, 4-Pin Horizontal Plug, Non-Transparent Detection, NCNR
$257.21$257.21 -
Available Now! 
Available Now!Leuze
50110765
Forked Photoelectric Sensor, Teach-In, M8 3-Pin Horizontal Plug, 3mm Mouth Width, Non-Cancellable, No Returns
$216.13$216.13 -
$331.89$331.89 -
Leuze
50112425
Fork Photoelectric Sensor, Detection of Non-Transparent Labels, 30 x 11 x 60mm (HWL), NCNR
$396.27$396.27 -
$103.23$103.23 -
$416.25$416.25 -
Leuze
50117930
Photoelectric Sensor Receiver, Throughbeam, PNP Transistor, Dark Switching, M 12 4-pin Conn., NCNR
$92.13$92.13 -
Leuze
50122585
Polaraized Retroreflective Sensor, 10-30VDC, 6m with TK(S) 100 x 100 Reflector, Red LED, 620nm, 2 Digital Outputs, PNP, Light/Dark Switching, Teach Button, M12 A-Coded Male 4-Pin Connector, 15 x 46.5 x 31.8mm (WHL), IP67
$134.31$134.31 -
Leuze
50122689
Polarized Retroreflective Sensor, 10-30VDC, 5mm Range with TK(S) 100 x 100 Reflector, Red LED, 620nm, 2 Outputs, PNP, Light/Dark Switching, Teach Button, M12 A-Coded Male 4-Pin Connector, 18mm Diameter x 61mm L, IP67
$159.84$159.84
Photoelectric sensors detect the distance, absence or presence of an object. These sensors are great for sensing long distances and detecting most materials.
How Does a Photoelectric Sensor Work?
Generally a photoelectric sensor consists of the following:
- Transmitter - emits the light beam
- Receiver - detects the light beam and converts it to an electrical signal
Photoelectric sensors detect changes in the light beam caused by the presence/absence, movement or properties of an object.
Types of Photoelectric Sensors:
- Through-Beam (Thru-Beam)
- Transmitter and receiver are two separate units that are directly opposite of each other. The sensor detects when an objects breaks the light beam
- Great for long distance detection
- Ideal for conveyors, counting or monitoring door openings
- Retroreflective (Reflective Mode)
- Transmitter and receiver are in one housing; light beam is reflected back by a reflector. Detection is triggered when an object breaks the beam.
- Medium range detection and easier to install than a through beam
- Ideal for package detection and pallet positioning
- Diffuse (Proximity Mode)
- The transmitter and receiver in one housing; the sensor detects light reflected directly off the target object (no reflector needed)
- Best for short range applications
- Ideal for detecting objects on assembly lines, verifying presence or checking fill level
- Specialized Types:
- Background Suppression: Can ignore objects beyond a set distance, focuses close range
- Color or Contrast Sensors: Detects specific colors or contrast differences
- Distance Measuring Sensors: Mesaure the distance to an object
Categories Related to Photoelectric Sensors:
- Stack lights - signal towers visually communicate the data or alerts that the photoelectric sensors are generating
- Smart relays - photoelectric sensors provide input signals which can process the data and control outputs
- Pushbuttons and estops - if your sensor detects a fault, an operator can use a pushbutton to reset the system
- HMIs - HMIs can dispay the data from the photoelectric sensor which allows you to monitor processes