BASICS AND

INSTALLATION
Photoelectric
Sensors
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PHOTOELECTRIC SENSORS

Ambient light The portion of light which is picked up by the receiver, but does not originate from the emitter. Blind zone Area between the active surface and minimum switching distance within which a target
cannot be detected.

Ambient temperature Ta The maximum permissible temperature range at which a sensor may be operated while
ensuring reliable functioning of the sensor. Color sensor Photoelectric sensor for detecting and evaluating colors.

Alarm output Device/function on the receiver which generates a warning signal when there is a malfunction. Contamination Dirt and dust particles which collect on a sensor and reduce the range of photoelectric sensors
This can be caused by contamination or mechanical maladjustment. The alarm output is and fiber objects compared with pure air. Deposits on the lens reduce its light transmission.
activated if the received signal lies in the alarm range for a defined amount of time. The light is absorbed and scattered in the beam path. An oil-free source of compressed air can
Stability (green LED) be used to prevent the effects of dirt and contamination due to impure air.
stable

Switching Alarm
unstable
threshold
Correction factors Values for determining the range of a sensor which is dependent on the differing reflection
stable (for diffuse sensors) properties of an object. For example the range of the sensor is reduced with darker objects
due to the greater light absorption.

For objects with different reflective properties the following correction factors can be applied
(see table).
Amplifier Amplifiers prepare signals from sensor heads or fiber optics and convert them into a switching
or analog signal. Correction factor Object, surface
1 Paper, white, matte 200 g/m²
1.2...1.6 Metal, shiny
1 Styrofoam, white
Autocollimation Principle of reflection in which the light beam striking a reflector is reflected back to itself in
parallel. The emitter and receiver use the same optical lens, so that the emitted light and 0.6 Cotton fabric, white
the light beam reflected back from the reflector lie on the same optical axis. The advantage 0.5 PVC, gray
compared with the dual lens principle is that there is no dead zone in front of the sensor and 0.4 Wood, rough
that the switching response does not depend on the approach direction. 0.3 Cardboard, black, shiny
Beam splitter 0.1 Cardboard, black, matte
Emitter
Detection
area

Lens Dark switching Type of photoelectric sensor in which the output becomes active when there is no light at
Reflector
Receiver the receiver.

Light receiver Amplifier Consumer

Non-illuminated Fully modulated Switched on
Background suppression (BGS) Procedure for reliably distinguishing an object against its background. Can be done nearly
Illuminated Not fully modulated switched off
regardless of the color and surface of the object. A reflecting background has no effect.
Sensors with background suppression consist of a light emitter and several light receivers. By
means of triangulation the position of an object can be determined. Depending on this position
the switching distance can be set and the object thereby distinguished from the background.
Detection range Range in which the switching distance of a sensor from the standard target can be adjusted.

Beam shape Focused

With a focused light beam the emitter light is bundled at a certain distance into a minimum Diffuse sensors Photoelectric sensor in which the emitter and the receiver are in one housing. The alignment
diameter. This location is referred to as the point of focus. At this point small parts detection and to a detection object is largely uncritical. A target object (e. g. a standard target which is 90 %
switching accuracy are at their greatest. reflective) bounces a part of the light from its surface back to the receiver. If the standard target
reaches the response curve, the output signal will change. The sensing distance depends on
Collimated the size, shape, color and properties of the reflective object surface. Using a Kodak gray card
With a collimated light beam the light emitted is radiated out in parallel. This means the size with 90 % reflectivity (like white paper), distances of up to 2 m can be obtained.
of the light spot remains virtually unchanged over the entire working range of the sensor. This
Response curve
allows distance-independent yet precise object detection. Emitter/receiver
beam

Divergent
In a divergent light beam the light spot created by the emitter becomes larger with increasing
object distance. In the case of through-beam sensors a divergent light beam makes possible
simple alignment with the reflector or receiver.
Emitter/
Receiver
Standard target 90 %
reflective

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Distance sensor A sensor which generates a continuously varying output signal which is a function of the Gray value shift The switching distance difference when calibrating using different object reflectivities. The sensor
with analog output distance between the sensing surface and the target point. It generates a linear output signal is calibrated for a distance using a Kodak gray card with 90 % reflection. A Kodak gray card
within a certain range (measuring range). having 18 % Reflexion is used and the resulting distance measured. The difference between
these two switchpoints in % is referred to as the gray value shift. The smaller the gray value shift,
the more color-independently the sensor operates.

Fiber optics Optical fiber made of glass or plastic with a diameter of down to 50 μm, consisting of several
hundred individual fibers. Extremely flexible. The optical properties are not affected by moisture
or aggressive media. Hysteresis Signal difference resulting for measurement sensors when a mechanically prescribed
position is approached from one side, then crosses this point and afterwards approaches
Mounting notes for fiber optics this same position from the other direction. Position difference between switching point
The resistance of the sealing ring must be overcome when connecting the fiber optics (object approaches) and switch-back point (object travels away) for switching sensors.
to the base unit.

Fiber optics design

Lasers, laser class Designation both for a physical effect as well as a device used to generate laser beams.
UZG type MZG type SMG type Laser stands for "light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation". Laser beams are
n Polyurethane jacket n Corrugated metal armor n Silicon protection jacket electromagnetic waves. The purpose of laser protection classes is to protect persons from
n Strain relief n Strain relief n Corrugated metal armor laser radiation by specifying limit values. Based on this, the lasers used are classified
n Glass optical fiber bundle n Glass optical fiber bundle with glass optical fiber according to a scale reflecting the degree of hazard. The calculations and associated limit
n Flexible n Resistant to high bundle strain relief values relevant for the classification are described in the standard EN 60825-1:2001-11.
n Excellent chemical temperatures –20...+170 °C n Extended temperature The grouping is based on a combination of output power and wavelength, taking into account
resistance (up to +250 °C for a fixed range –40...+150 °C emission duration, number of pulses and angle extension.
n Does not become installation) n Highly flexible
brittle from oils and n Flexible n Crush-resistant Balluff sensors have the following laser protection classes:
cooling emulsions n Crush-resistant Class 1: Non-hazardous, no special caution.
n Temperature resistance n Resistant to hot swarf Class 2: Low power, eyelid closing reflex is sufficient.
–20...+85 °C

Mounting instruction BOS 30M with BFO 18V

Light The medium with which photoelectric sensors operate. In the sensor there is a change in the
Remove adapter disk
light intensity on an optical path (between emitter and receiver) caused by a target object.
from fiber optics! This change is evaluated by the sensor. Depending on the properties of this object and the
characteristics of the optical beam, the light beam is either interrupted, reflected or scattered.
The emitter usually consists of high-power red light LEDs and laser LEDs, with photodiodes or
Adapter BAM00NM
CCD (charge coupled devices) used as the receiver. Red light LEDs are used because the light
beam and the detection point can be measured visually and can be adjusted more easily. In
the case of laser sensors the light spot is usually more sharply delineated and is highly visible.
Even over great distances.

Light band sensor LED light band sensor

Photoelectric sensor with LEDs consisting of multiple emitters and receivers in a row in separate
housings. The close arrangement of the optical components means the emitter generates a light
band is generated and the entire light intensity measured at the facing receiver side.
Fork sensors U-shaped housing style of through-beam sensors with the emitter and receiver facing each
other. Advantage: Ease of installation, alignment and simple electrical connection. Laser light band sensor
Photoelectric laser sensor in which a laser beam is refracted on the emitter side over a prism
at a sharp angle for generating a homogeneous light band. The receiver contains a CCD (charge
coupled device) used for precisely detecting edges, even at up to 2 m of distance. A CCD con-
General tolerances In general, the variances in external dimensions, form, and position tolerances of Balluff products sists of very precisely arranged light-sensitive cells whose charge is measured and processed by
fall within the general tolerance in accordance with DIN ISO 2768-cK. Important functional the electronics.
dimensions are indicated with specific tolerances in the product view. For all other dimensions
without a specific tolerance specified, the general tolerance per DIN ISO 2768-cK applies.

Limit deviations for linear dimensions: Tolerance class c Light grids Photoelectric sensor in which the emitter and the receiver are located in separate housings. By
placing individual emitter and receiver elements in a row a large area can be monitored. As soon
Tolerance class From 0.5 Over 3 Over 6 Over 30 Over 120 Over 400 Over 1000 Over 2000 as an object enters this area, a switching signal is triggered. Light grids with analog output also
until 3 until 6 until 30 until 120 until 400 until 1000 until 2000 until 4000
tell you the object location or its size.
c (coarse) ±0.2 ±0.3 ±0.5 ±0.8 ±1.2 ±2 ±3 ±4

Straightness and flatness: Tolerance class K

Tolerance class Until 10 Over 10 Over 30 Over 100 Over 300 Over 1000
until 30 until 100 until 300 until 1000 until 3000
K 0.05 mm 0.1 mm 0.2 mm 0.4 mm 0.6 mm 0.8 mm

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Light-on switching Type of photoelectric sensor in which the output becomes active when there is light at On delay Time a sensor requires to be ready when an object enters the capture range.
the receiver.

Light receiver Amplifier Consumer

Illuminated Fully modulated Switched on
Polarizing filter Light filters which allow only a certain oscillation plane to pass and thereby effectively filters out
scattered light: the light is polarized. Reduces reflections from metallic surfaces and reduces
Non-illuminated Not fully modulated switched off
spurious switching. Also referred to as a polarizing filter.

Light refraction A change in direction of light rays at the interface between two optical media having different
optical density (e.g. glass/air). The degree of refraction depends on the quotients of the optical
densities of both media and on the angle of incidence ε to the optical axis.
If a light beam travels from a dense medium, n, into a thinner one, n', its course there will show
a greater angle ε '. Above εcrit. (critical angle at which the refracted ray travels parallel to the
interface). If however it again enters the medium having density n, the result is total reflection.

Relative humidity Ambient condition which can affect the sensor function. For example if the lens is subjected
to high relative humidity.
n
reflectio
Total

Reflector Light beams extend to a straight line in free space. Upon striking an object, they are reflected.
Depending on the surface properties of the object, we distinguish between the following
reflection types: total reflection, retroreflection, and diffuse reflection.

In optical object detection and image processing retro-reflectors are often used. The retro­
reflection is caused by two mirrors aligned vertically to each other. A light beam is again
Light type Photoelectric sensors make use of the differing wavelengths of light, with some using visible projected back through double reflection in the same direction. The angle of incidence can
light in different colors and others using light invisible to the human eye. Photoelectric sensors thus be altered in a relatively wide range. The two-dimensional principle of retroreflection
use mainly the following light types: can be carried over to a spatial system with three mirrors which are oriented at right angles
Red light: Visible, easy to align, universal for many applications to each other (one corner of a cube standing on its point). A light beam entering this system
Infrared light (IR): Invisible, essentially color-independent, ideal in dirty environments is totally reflected by all three surfaces and exits parallel to the incident beam.
Laser red light: Visible, physical properties of the laser make it ideal for small parts detection
and for long ranges, high switching accuracy
White light: Visible, for special applications, e.g. contrast and color sensors
Ultraviolet light (UV): Hardly visible, ideal for luminescent marks Retroreflection A light beam which is again projected back through double reflection in the same direction.
The angle of incidence can thus be altered in a relatively wide range. Is caused by two mirrors
at vertical angles to each other.

MICROmote Photoelectric sensor system which combines an external processor unit (amplifier) with
exceptionally small photoelectric sensor heads. This allows miniaturized sensor heads to
be realized.

Microspot/Pin Point LEDs with opening angles of ≤3°. These are used where small, extremely sharp light spots
are required.
Retroreflective sensor Photoelectric sensor in which the emitter and the receiver are in one housing. A reflector on the
opposite side of the beam bounces the emitter's light back to the receiver. A target object inter-
ø Light rupts the reflected light beam and causes a change in the output signal. With reflective surfaces
cone
in mm it is recommended that the light reflected from the object be filtered out using a polarizing filter in
front of the receiver, in order to prevent any possible fault signals.
35

30

Standard red light 25

20
Standard
15 red light
Emitter/Receiver Reflector
10
Microspot
5 Target

Sensor distance in mm
Microspot 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45

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Reverse polarity protection Also called polarity reversal protection. This sensor technology protects against reversal of Transmission Measure for the transparency of a medium. It is defined as the ratio of: – passed to – entering
the supply voltage (plus and minus) and reversal of the connection wires (brown and blue). light (in %). Diffuse transmission is the term which is used when the light is partially or completely
diffused.

Sensor heads Sensor heads consist of an emitter and receiver element. In through-beam sensors the emitter Triangulation Procedure whereby the light cones of the emitter and receiver lobe of a through-beam system
and receiver elements are housed in separate enclosures. intersect each other at a narrow angle. A target object is detected where the lobes overlap.
The emitter light which is reflected or diffused from objects outside this limited zone cannot be
registered by the photo-receiver. Benefit: With triangulation, relatively small changes in distance
Short-circuit protection can be recognized (e.g. slots, offsets on shafts). Color and shape of the object have very little
Protective device for overload and short-circuit. Present in all our DC sensors. In the event effect.
of overload or short-circuit at the output, the output transistor is automatically switched off. As
soon as the malfunction has been corrected, the output stage is reset to normal functioning. Emit
ter
Targ
e t

Smallest bending radius Bending radius at rest: min. 5 × cable diameter

for standard PUR and Bending radius in motion: min. 10 × cable diameter
standard PVC cables
iver
Rece

Teach-in Method for setting sensors by pressing a button. No potentiometers or slide switches are used.
Because there are defined setting increments, the advantage is that the sensor cannot be set Turn-off time The time a sensor requires to respond when the target leaves the detection range at a factor
in an unreliable range. The microcontroller also assumes control of the contamination indicator of 0.5 of the radiant power.
and the contamination output.

Test input Input on a photoelectric sensor which enables function checking of the emitter and receiver
by interrupting its light pulses. Contamination or maladjustment of the optical axis causes the
emitter signal to reach the receiver only weakly, if at all. Therefore, the output will not switch,
even though the test input is activated. The test function corresponds to a remote monitoring
of the photoelectric sensor and enables a preventive system control.

Through-beam sensor A photoelectric sensor consisting of separate emitter and receiver units which must be aligned
on opposite sides of the sensing path. Long ranges of up to 50 m. When an object interrupts
the light beam, the receiver switches, i.e. the output signal changes – regardless of the surface
composition of the target. In unfavorable conditions (e.g. dust, moisture, oil), you achieve the
best results with through-beam sensors.

Emitter Receiver

Target

Time-of-flight sensor Photoelectric sensor in which the light time-of-flight between emitter, the object and the
receiver is measured. The duration of this time-of-flight allows the distance to the object to be
determined.

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950369_AA · EN · I22 · Subject to changes. Replaces A22.

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