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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.

    6657 Products showing for Photoelectric Sensors

    Banner
    Barrel
    Diffuse
    20 m
    PNP
    4-pin M12
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    Eaton
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    Retroreflective
    3 m
    NPN
    M12
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    Banner
    Block
    Diffuse
    1100 mm
    Bipolar NPN/PNP
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    Banner
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    Retroreflective
    3.5 m
    Bipolar (1 NPN & 1 PNP)
    Pigtail QD
    Dark Switching
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    Convergent
    43 mm
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    Receiver
    20 m
    NPN
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    Eaton
    Square
    Diffuse Reflective
    100 mm
    PNP
    Cable
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    Banner
    Barrel
    Receiver
    60 m
    Solid State AC Switch
    Cable
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    Banner
    Rectangular
    Infrared LED
    450 mm
    Relay
    3 Pin Mini Integral QD
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    Banner
    Rectangular
    diffuse
    3 m
    PNP
    Integral QD
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    Carlo Gavazzi
    Rectangular
    Through Beam
    15000 mm
    NPN
    Cable
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    Eaton
    Rectangular
    Diffuse Reflective
    200 mm
    PNP
    M12
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    Telemecanique Sensors
    Cylindrical
    Diffuse
    0.6 m
    PNP
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    Eaton
    Rectangular
    Diffuse Reflective
    3000 mm
    PNP/NPN
    Cable
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    Banner
    Barrel
    Infrared LED
    50 mm
    NPN
    4 Pin M12 Integral QD
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    Omron
    Compact
    Diffuse
    50 mm → 1.5m
    PNP
    M8 Connector
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    IO-LINK
    30V
    M8 Connector
    Infrared
    IP67, IP67G, IP69K
    30 mA
    IO-Link
    150 ms
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    PBT, PC
    +55°C
    -20°C
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    E3AS-F
    Banner
    Rectangular
    Retroreflective
    5 m
    Bipolar
    Integral QD
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    Banner
    Rectangular
    Retroreflective
    8 m
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    Banner
    Rectangular
    Diffuse
    800 mm
    PNP
    4 - Pin M12 Pigtail QD
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    Banner
    Rectangular
    Receiver
    20000 mm
    P - MOSFET
    Micro Pigtail QD
    Light Switching
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