Photoelectric Sensors

254 sensors from 15 manufacturers

Photoelectric sensors detect objects by emitting a beam of light and measuring how that light interacts with a target. They are among the most versatile industrial sensors, capable of detecting a wide range of materials at significant sensing distances.

This catalog currently includes 254 published photoelectric sensors from 15 manufacturers. Listed prices range from $7.33 to $2197.72.

How It Works

A photoelectric sensor emits light from an LED or laser source. When an object enters the sensing field, it either reflects the light back to a receiver (diffuse and retroreflective modes) or interrupts a beam between a separate emitter and receiver (through-beam mode). The sensor detects the change in received light and switches its output accordingly.

Typical Applications

• Object detection on conveyor lines
• Presence and position sensing in automated assembly
• Packaging and labeling verification
• Distance measurement for process control
• Counting items on production lines

Key Selection Considerations

• Sensing mode (through-beam, retroreflective, diffuse, or background suppression) affects range and reliability
• Target reflectivity and color influence diffuse-mode sensing distance
• Ambient light conditions may affect performance in some configurations
• Response time requirements should match the application speed

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