Photocells
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Welcome to our photoelectric sensors (photoelectric) page!
One of the most common types of detection sensors is the photoelectric sensor. These sensors detect objects by emitting infrared light and sensing the reflection of the transmitted light. The most widely used format includes both the transmitter and receiver in the same unit, but not all photoelectric sensors are designed this way.
Photoelectric sensors, or Photocells, detect various objects using photo-optic signals. These objects can be metal, plastic, wood, glass, or even colors and light. Fotocells serve a wide range of applications, and their main function is contactless detection.
Photoelectric sensors can detect objects, changes in surface conditions, and other elements using various optical properties. They primarily consist of a transmitter to emit light and a receiver to collect the light. When the emitted light is interrupted or reflected by the sensing object, the amount of light reaching the receiver changes. The receiver detects this change and converts it into an electrical output. The light source for most photoelectric sensors is infrared or visible light (typically red or green/blue for color recognition).
Photoelectric sensors are classified as follows:
Diffuse reflective sensors: These sensors are used to detect the presence of objects or materials in various industrial and manufacturing applications without requiring physical contact with the target or object, thus also called contactless sensors.
Retro-reflective sensors: In these sensors, a light beam is sent from a transmitter and returns to a detector via a reflector. When the light beam can be reflected back, it is registered as no object present. A beam that is not reflected back indicates the presence of an obstacle, which is recognized as an object. These sensors have a longer range than diffuse reflective types, are easier to install and wire, and are generally less expensive than beam sensors.
Through-beam sensors: These sensors consist of two separate devices, a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter sends a light beam directly to the receiver within the line of sight. If the light beam is interrupted by an object that needs to be detected, it is recognized as present. This type of setup requires two components, a transmitter and a separate receiver, making installation and wiring somewhat more complex. However, the advantage is that they offer the longest detection range and the most accurate detection method.
Distance measuring sensors: These models generally operate as a single device and measure the distance between the sensor and the object based on the intensity and speed of the returning signal. They come in many types, with digital output or analog signal output models available. Detection and sensitivity vary depending on the product type, but the most common models have a range of up to 1 meter.
Fiber optic sensors: These are sensing devices that consist of at least two components, a receiver and a transmitter, along with optical fibers capable of carrying light in narrow spaces, high-temperature machines, or moving environments. The optical fiber consists of a core and cladding with different refractive indices. The light beam passes through the core by repeatedly bouncing off the cladding's walls. The light beam is distributed at an angle of approximately 60° and spreads to the target without any loss in light quantity.
Ultrasonic photoelectric sensors: Ultrasonic sensors are electronic devices that measure the distance to a target object by emitting ultrasonic sound waves and converting the reflected sound into an electrical signal. Ultrasonic waves travel faster than audible sound (i.e., sound that humans can hear). Ultrasonic sensors have two main components: a transmitter (which emits sound using piezoelectric crystals) and a receiver (which encounters the sound after it has traveled to and from the target). To calculate the distance between the sensor and the object, the sensor measures the time elapsed between the emission of the sound by the transmitter and the contact of the sound with the receiver. The formula for this calculation is D = ½ T x C (where D is distance, T is time, and C is the speed of sound, approximately 343 meters/second).
On each model's individual page, you'll find detailed explanations of supply voltages, output types, input types, prices, and operating modes, as well as user manuals.
Note: Like all products on our website, our photoelectric sensors are designed for use in industrial automation machines. They are produced with galvanic isolation to protect against potential interference from sources such as frequency drives, power supplies, and various induction motors found in the same environment.