E18-B03N1 Infrared Proximity Sensor | Pro Tronix

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

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.