OPERATING PRINCIPLES FOR INDUCTIVE PROXIMITY

SENSORS

Inductive proximity sensors are used for non-contact detection of metallic objects. Their operating
principle is based on a coil and oscillator that creates an electromagnetic field in the close
surroundings of the sensing surface. The presence of a metallic object (actuator) in the operating
area causes a dampening of the oscillation amplitude. The rise or fall of such oscillation is
identified by a threshold circuit that changes the output of the sensor. The operating distance of
the sensor depends on the actuator's shape and size and is strictly lined to the nature of the
material (Table !).
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Table !. #ensitivity $hen different metals are present. #n %
operating distance.
&e'( (Iron) ! x #n
#tainless steel ).* x #n
+rass - +ronze )., x #n
-luminum ).. x #n
"opper ).. x #n
Outputs:
DC Voltage
2 !"e DC: These sensors contain an output amplifier $ith the function /.0. or /.". that can pilot
a load connected in series. In this system a residual current flo$s through the load even $hen in
the open state and a voltage drop occurs to the sensor $hen it is in the closed state. -ttention
must be paid to these restrictions $hen selecting relays or electronic controls to be used $ith
these sensors. They are compatible $ith 1.2.". units.
# $ % !"e DC: These amplified 3.". sensors contain an output amplifier. They are supplied as '
$ire $ith function /.0. or /" and as . $ire $ith complementary outputs (/0 4 /") in the types
/1/ and 1/1. #tandard version include protected against short circuit5 protected against polarity
and peas created by the disconnection of inductive loads. They are compatible $ith 1.2.". 6nits
A&alog $ L!&ea": In these ' $ire amplified sensors a current or voltage output varies in
proportion to the distance bet$een the sensor and a metallic object.
NAMUR: These are 7 $ire non-amplified sensors $hose current varies in the presence of a
metallic object. The difference bet$een these sensors and traditional sensors is the absence of
amplifier trigger stages. Their current and voltage limits allo$ them to be used in hazardous
(explosive) environments $hen used $ith approved amplifiers. In standard applications (normal
atmospheres) the sensor must be used $ith amplifier units -2/"5 -2/7 or similar.
AC Voltage
2 !"e AC: These are t$o-$ire sensors that contain a thyristor output amplifier. In this system a
residual current flo$s through the load even $hen in the open state and a voltage drop occurs to
the sensor $hen it is in the closed state. -ttention must be paid to the minimum s$itching
current5 residual current and voltage drop $hen selecting lo$ consumption relays or high
impedance electronic controls to be used $ith these sensors. They are compatible $ith 1.2.".
6nits
De'!&!t!o&s:
NO (&o")all* ope&+: - s$itch output that is open
prohibiting current flo$ $hen an actuator is not
present and closes allo$ing current flo$ $hen an
actuator is present.
NC (&o")all* ,lose-+: - s$itch output that is
closed allo$ing current flo$ $hen no actuator is
present and opens prohibiting current flo$ $hen an
actuator is present.
NPN Output: Transistor output that s$itches the
common or negative voltage to the load. The load is
connected bet$een the positive supply and the
output. "urrent flo$s from the load through the
output to ground $hen the s$itch output is on. -lso
no$n as current sining or negative s$itching.
PNP Output: Transistor output that s$itches the
positive voltage to the load. The load is connected
bet$een output and common. "urrent flo$s from the
device's output5 through the load to ground $hen the
s$itch output is on. -lso no$n as current sourcing
or positive s$itching.
Ope"at!&g D!sta&,e (S&+: The maximum distance
from the sensor to a s8uare piece of Iron (&e '()5
!mm thic $ith side's % to the diameter of the
sensing face5 that $ill trigger a change in the output
of the sensor. 3istance $ill decrease for other
materials and shapes. Tests are performed at 7)9"
$ith a constant voltage supply. This distance does
include a : !); manufacturing tolerance.
Poe" Suppl*: The supply voltage range that sensor
$ill operate at.
Ma. S!t,/!&g Cu""e&t: The amount of continuous
current allo$ed to flo$ through the sensor $ithout
causing damage to the sensor. It is given as a
maximum value.
M!& S!t,/!&g Cu""e&t: It is the minimum current
value5 $hich should flo$ through the sensor in order
to guarantee operation.
Ma. Pea0 Cu""e&t: The <ax pea current indicates
the maximum current value that the sensor can bear
in a limited period of time.
Res!-ual Cu""e&t: The current5 $hich flo$s through
the sensor $hen it is in the open state.
Poe" D"a!&: The amount of current re8uired to
operate a sensor.
Voltage D"op: The voltage drop across a sensor
$hen driving the maximum load.
S/o"t C!",u!t P"ote,t!o&: 1rotection against
damage to a sensor if the load becomes shorted.
F!g1 2

F!g1 2

F!g1#
Ope"at!&g F"e3ue&,*: The maximum number of
on=off cycles that the device is capable of in one
second. -ccording to >/ ,))!)5 this parameter is
measured by the dynamic method sho$n in fig. !
$ith the sensor in position (a) and (b). # is the
operating distance and m is the diameter of the
sensor. The fre8uency is given by the formula in fig.
7.
Repeata4!l!t* (5S&+: The variation bet$een any
values of operating distance measured in an ? hour
period at a temperature bet$een is !, to ')9" and a
supply voltage $ith a @% ,; deviation.
6*ste"es!s (5S&+: The distance bet$een the
As$itching onA point of the actuator approach and the
As$itching offA point of the actuator retreat. This
distance reduces false triggering. Its value is given as
a percent of the operating distance or a distance. #ee
&ig. '
Flus/ Mou&t!&g: &or side by side mounting of flush
mount models refer to &ig. .a. /on-flush mount
models can be embedded in metal according to &ig.
.b. for side by side refer to fig. .c. #n % operating
distance.
P"ote,t!o& Deg"ee: >nclosure degree of protection
according to I>" (International >lectrotechnical
"ommission) is as follo$sB
I1 C,B 3ust tight. 1rotection against $ater jets.
I1 C(B 3ust tight. 1rotection against the effects of
immersion

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