Photoelectric Sensors

Photoelectric sensors detect the distance, absence or presence of an object. These sensors are great for sensing long distances and detecting most materials.

Additional Sensor Categories:
Proximity | Ultrasonic | Pressure | Temperature | Level | Tilt

 

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  • Baumer_FZDM_16_Primary.png

    Baumer

    FZDM 16N5101

    10122416

    Diffuse Reflective Sensor, Pulsed Infrared Diode, 10-30VDC, 400mm Sensing Distance Tw, 270° Potentiometer, NPN, Light/Dark Operate, 2m 4-Pin Cable, 15.4 x 50 x 50mm (WxHxD), Die-Cast Zinc, -25 to +65°C, IP67

  • Baumer_FRDK_Primary.png

    Baumer

    OPDK 14P1903

    11001303

    Retroreflective Sensor, Polarization Filter, Pulsed Red Laser Diode, Laser Class 1, 10-30VDC, 4.5m Actual Range Sb, Teach-in, PNP, Light Operate, 2m 4-Pin Cable, 14.8 x 43 x 31mm (WxHxD), Plastic (ASA/MABS), -10 to +50°C, IP67

    $1,161.60
    $1,161.60
  • Baumer_O300_RR_N_Primary.jpg

    Baumer

    O300.GP-NV1T.72N/T003

    11135828

    Diffuse Sensor, Background Suppression, PinPoint LED, 10-30VDC, 30-200mm Sensing Distance Tw, qTeach/1-Step Teach-in, NPN Complementary, Light/Dark Operate, M8 4-Pin Connector, 12.9 x 32.3 x 23mm (WxHxD), Plastic (ASA/PMMA), -25 to +60°C, IP67

  • baumer_-_om70-ek_-_sensor_12__23118.jpg

    Baumer

    OM70-L1000.HV0500.EK

    11220190

    High Performance Laser Distance Sensor, 100-1000mm Measuring Distance Sd, 500mm Sweet Spot, OM70 Laser Line, Webserver, Ethernet TCP/IP, 15-28VDC, Analog and Digital, IP67, 74 x 26 x 55mm (HWD)

    $3,818.80
    $3,818.80
  • Baumer_OHDK_S14_Primary.png

    Baumer

    OHDK 14N5101/S14

    11001253

    Diffuse Sensor, Background Suppression, Pulsed Red Laser Diode, Laser Class 2, 10-30VDC, 20-350mm Sensing Distance Tw, Mechanical 9-Turn, NPN, Light/Dark Operate, M12 4-Pin Connector, 14.8 x 43 x 31mm (WxHxD), Plastic (ASA/MABS), -10 to +50°C, IP67

  • Baumer_O300_RR_N_Primary.jpg

    Baumer

    O300.RP-NV1T.72N

    11110447

    Retroreflective Sensor, Polarization Filter, PinPoint LED, 10-30VDC, 5m Actual Range Sb, qTeach, NPN Complementary, Light/Dark Operate, M8 4-Pin Connector, 12.9 x 32.3 x 23mm (WxHxD), Plastic (ASA/PMMA), -25 to +60°C, IP67

  • pepperl_fuchs_-_obt80-r3-e2-0.2m-v31-p-l_-_triangulation_sensor__52488.jpg

    Pepperl+Fuchs

    70141932

    OBT80-R3-E2-0.2M-V31-P-L

    Photoelectric DuraBeam Laser Triangulation Sensor, Background Suppression (BGS), Laser Diode, 12-24VDC, 20-80mm Range, NO, PNP, 45° Cable Outlet, 200mm PUR Cable with M8 x 1, 4-Pin Connector, IP67, 26 x 7.5 x 13.8mm (HWD), OBT Series, Retur

Photoelectric sensors detect the distance, absence or presence of an object. These sensors are great for sensing long distances and detecting most materials.

Additional Sensor Categories:
Proximity | Ultrasonic | Pressure | Temperature | Level | Tilt

 

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:

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