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Product Description
A highly reliable, industrial-grade photoelectric proximity sensor optimized for rapid non-contact object detection, packaging automation, and position sensing. The E18-B03N1 operates on a diffuse-reflection infrared principal, emitting a modulated IR beam and waiting for it to bounce back off an approaching object. It features a solid NPN Normally Open (NO) output configuration, making it incredibly straightforward to interface with standard PLC inputs, Arduino, ESP32, and discrete relay boards. Housed in a rugged, threaded cylindrical enclosure with dual retaining nuts, this sensor provides effortless panel-mounting and distance calibrations for automated sorting lines, counting mechanisms, and limit-switch replacements.
Pinout / Layout Connections
The sensor comes integrated with a heavy-duty, 3-wire pigtail cable. Standard industry color coding is applied:
Brown Wire (VCC): Main power input. Connects to positive DC power supply ($+10\text{V to }+36\text{V}$ or $+5\text{V}$ depending on the exact supply subsystem, though $5\text{V}$ is highly common for logic integration).
Blue Wire (GND): Common system ground reference ($0\text{V}$).
Black Wire (OUT): Active-Low NPN output signal.
When an object is detected: The black signal line actively pulls down to Ground ($0\text{V}$).
When no object is present: The output floats (Normally Open). Note: Add a $10\text{k}\Omega$ pull-up resistor to VCC on the signal line if your microcontroller’s internal pull-up is not enabled.
Applications
Conveyor Belt & Cup Filling Automation: Highly reliable for detecting when an object (like a plastic bottle, cup, or package) has arrived at a filling station to trigger actuators or servos.
Non-Contact Limit Switching: Ideal for mechanical safety boundaries, robotic end-stops, or pneumatic cylinder positioning without physical wear and tear.
High-Speed Object Counting: Perfect for mounting across a production channel to count passing items in real-time.
Compatibility
The NPN open-collector output of the E18-B03N1 makes it widely compatible:
Industrial PLCs: Directly interfaces with common $24\text{V}$ PLC input cards (sinking configuration).
Arduino & ESP Microcontrollers: Integrates directly with $5\text{V}$ or $3.3\text{V}$ GPIO pins when configured with internal
INPUT_PULLUP.Discrete Relays: Can drive small DC relays directly by connecting the relay coil between VCC and the Black output wire.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Value / Specification |
| Detection Method | Infrared Diffuse Reflection (Transmitter & Receiver in one head) |
| Output Configuration | NPN / NO (Normally Open / Active-Low Output) |
| Sensing Distance | $3\text{ cm}$ (Fixed nominal; stable diffuse reflection profile) |
| Operating Supply Voltage | DC $5\text{V}$ (Logic compatible) or up to $10\text{V} – 36\text{V}$ (Industrial version dependent) |
| Maximum Load Current | $100\text{ mA}$ (Can drive small relays directly) |
| Response Time | Less than $2\text{ ms}$ |
| Enclosure Material | High-durability ABS Plastic (Threaded M18 body) |
What’s in the Box
1 x E18-B03N1 Infrared Proximity Photoelectric Sensor (with integrated 1-meter 3-wire cable).
2 x M18 Plastic Mounting/Retaining Nuts.
Available now from Pro Tronix with guaranteed quality and fast delivery nationwide.
