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Available Now! 
Available Now!Baumer
O300.GR-GW1T.72N
Diffuse Sensor, Background Suppression, Miniature, Pulsed Red LED, 10-30VDC, 30-300mm Sensing Distance Tw, qTeach, Push-Pull, Light/Dark Operate, M8 4-Pin Connector, 32.3 x 12.9 x 23mm (HWD), Rectangular, Plastic (ASA, PMMA) Housing, PMMA O
$178.49$178.49 -
Baumer
O500.GR-GW1T.72O
Diffuse Sensor, Background Suppression, 10-30VDC, 60-550mm Sensing Distance Tw, 30-600mm Sensing Range Tb, Pulsed Red LED, 630 nm, Push-Pull, qTeach, Light/Dark Operate, M12 4-Pin Connector, Plastic Housing, PMMA Optics, 45 x 18 x 32mm (HWD
$213.80$213.80 -
Baumer
O500W.RP-GW1B.PVO
Retroreflective Sensor, Polarization Filter, Washdown Design, 10-30VDC, 7.5 Actual Range Sb, 8m Nominal Range Sn, Pulsed PinPoint LED, 630 nm, Push-Pull, qTeach/Remote, Light/Dark Operate, M12 4-Pin Connector, Stainless Steel Housing, PMMA
$258.80$258.80 -
Baumer
OM30-L0550.HV.TXN
Photoelectric Distance Sensor, 50-550mm, 12-28VDC, RS485, Modbus RTU, Teach-In, Line Beam, Laser Class 2, Pulsed Red Laser Diode, Die-Cast Zinc, M8 4-pin Connector, IP67, -10 to +50°C Operating Temperature, 49 x 40.3 x 13.6mm (HWD)
$1,725.60$1,725.60 -
Available Now! 
Available Now!Autonics
BEN10M-TDT
Photoelectric Sensor, Thru-Beam, Compact, 10m, DC Voltage, Solid-State Output (Transistor)
$53.75$53.75 -
Available Now! 
Available Now!Takex
GMR2RSPN-N
Photoelectric Sensor, Amplifier, Diffuse, PNP, Red LED, IP67, Compact, Cable, 1500mm Range
$98.70$98.70 -
IDEC
SA1E-XP1C
Photoelectric, PNP, Light ON, Transparent, up to 2m sensing, M8 connector (Needs Cable), NCNR
$118.54$118.54 -
Pepperl+Fuchs
267075-100034
Photoelectric, DC, Clear Object Retro, LED, 0 … 5 m, M8 Quick Disconnect with 300mm Cable, Returns of This Item Must Be Approved by Manufacturer
$192.64$192.64 -
Pepperl+Fuchs
267075-100257
Diffuse Mode Sensor, Returns of This Item Must Be Approved by Manufacturer
$100.80$100.80 -
Available Now! 
Available Now!Pepperl+Fuchs
295670-100005
Photoelectric Diffuse Sensor, LED, 1.4m, 10-30VDC, 4-in-1 Output, IO-Link, M12
$95.63$95.63 -
Leuze
50137050
Diffuse Sensor with Background Suppression, 0.005-0.2m, LED, Red, Connector, M8, Metal, 4-Pin, NCNR
$238.00$238.00 -
Takex
AS-U25
Photoelectric Sensor, Thru-Beam, U Shape, NPN, Red LED, 25mm Fixed Detect, 2mm Diameter, Cable
$112.20$112.20
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