Photoelectric sensors target tough applications

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Oct 11, 2005

New photosensors and a third-generation photoelectric sensor amplifier family target some of the most demanding applications in automatic door and similar applications.

New photosensors and a third-generation photoelectric sensor amplifier family from Carlo Gavazzi target some of the most demanding applications in automatic door and similar applications.

The new PE12, PB10 and PB18 ranges of sensor offer ranges up to 15m in compact, highly integrated housings, including the industry's smallest build-in depth.

Complementing these is a range of third-generation photoelectric amplifiers designed for easy installation, setup and maintenance in harsh environments.

Extended range, plus impressive light immunity of more than 20,000lux, makes Carlo Gavazzi's latest photosensors ideally suited to lift and escalator installations as well as door and entrance control.

A separate emitter and receiver are combined in the same housing, along with microprocessor controlled detector, modulator and power supply circuitry.

This enables the sensors to be connected directly to door controllers, without the need for an external amplifier.

Maximum sensing distance is adjustable using a control input wire on the emitter, which can also be used to mute emitter power for maintenance and functional test.

Three different housings are available.

A 12mm diameter, four-spring snap-in head provides quick and easy installation.

What is more, this ultraslim model has a build-in depth of just 28mm, making it the smallest on the market.

It can therefore be fitted in the narrowest of door profiles.

The PB10 model has 10mm diameter and 42mm length, featuring a smooth polycarbonate housing that makes it suited to harsh environments with high humidity.

PB18 has an 18mm diameter housing suitable for fitting inside standard-sized rubber profiles used for safety edge sensing applications.

Installation depth is just 30mm.

All sensors are fully encapsulated, providing IP67 ratings.

Fitted with a standard 5m cable connection, they operate with 10-30V DC supplies and offer open collector transistor outputs up to 100mA.

Emitter and receiver are both protected against reverse polarity, transients, short circuits and inductive loads.

Where these fully integrated sensors are not suitable, and an external sensor amplifier is required, Carlo Gavazzi's latest S142 series amplifier combines over 20 years' experience of designing for harsh environments, with advanced microprocessor control.

Among the new features this makes possible are: simpler alignment of sensors via either LED or alternation of alarm output, built-in diagnostics; remote set-up; high neighbour immunity using multiple channels; and emitter mute functionality.

In addition to industrial doors and gates, the amplifier's robust encapsulated housing makes it suitable for car-wash systems, food and beverage industry and a range of other industrial control solutions.