Fibre-optic amplifiers have long sensing ranges

IFM Electronic has released the OBF500 series of fibre-optic amplifiers, which feature long sensing ranges and fast switching.

The OBF amplifier has undergone a complete rework to offer more power while retaining the same housing.

Designed for IFM's range of cut-to-length acrylic optical fibres, the new OBF offers a sensing range up to 2,000mm using a through-beam fibre, or 100mm in diffuse mode.

The OBF is also fast: the output can handle a switching frequency up to 3,000Hz.

As diffuse or through-beam fibres can be used, light or dark switching is selectable.

The device recognises whether it is connected to a PNP or NPN input, the user does not need to specify the correct version.

Sensitivity setting can be done automatically, by showing the unit the two different states, while the alternative manual method can be chosen if needed for a tricky task.

A further feature of the OBF amplifier is the pulse stretch facility.

As fibres often detect small objects the signal is present only fleetingly, so the user can stretch the output pulse up to 90ms to ensure that the PLC input registers the signal.

This DC device can be supplied with a fixed cable, an M8 connector, or the M12 connector.

Back to top