Product category:
Machine Safety Components
News Release from: Optek Technology | Subject: OPB732 Series
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 28 November 2006
IR safety switch ignores ambient light
The OPB732 Series infra-red safety switch has a reflective distance exceeding 75mm, depending on circuitry and reflective material.
Providing design engineers with a long distance sensing device for machine automation safety switches, TT Electronics Optek Technology has developed a noncontact infra-red switch capable of operation in industrial environments Designated the OPB732 Series, the switch has a reflective distance exceeding 75mm, depending on circuitry and reflective material
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 3 Oct 2005 at 8.00am (UK)
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According to Alan Bennett, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Optek Technology, the design of the reflective switch makes it ideal for machine automation applications.
"The device features an opaque housing which reduces the sensor's ambient light sensitivity, and is available with custom electrical, wire and cabling, and connectors, enabling machine design engineers to adapt it to their specific application", explained Bennett.
"In addition, the active optoelectronic components are protected by a clear window to enable the OPB732 Series devices to operate in dusty environments".
Further reading
RoHS-compliant, non-contact device
Wide-gap optical sensor that includes an emitter-sensor pair consists of an LED and a phototransistor designed to operate efficiently over distances up to 30cm in industrial environments.
Inductive sensors to locate chassis position
Optek Technology has been selected by a major North American OEM to supply chassis sensors using the company's patented Autopad technology.
"These features make the switch ideal for applications involving door closures, end-of-travel indicators, short-distance safety curtains, and product positioning systems".
While an object is in the path of the device, light from the LED will be reflected back to the housing, irradiating the surface of the phototransistor.
When infra-red light strikes the phototransistor, it becomes forward biased and is considered to be in the "on" state, providing a current proportional to the light striking the phototransistor.
The phototransistor allows the designer to customise the switching threshold, providing an optimised solution for many applications.
When the infra-red light from the LED is not reflected to the phototransistor, the device turns "off", minimising the current.
The OPB732 Series infra-red light emitting diode features an 850nm wavelength and a power dissipation of 100mW.
Maximum forward current is 50mA and maximum forward voltage is 1.8V (forward current 20mA).
Reverse DC voltage is 3V, with reverse current of 100mA (reverse voltage 2.0V).
Electrical performance of the output phototransistor is characterised at collector-emitter voltages of 30V, collector DC current of 50mA, and power dissipation of 100mW.
Operating temperature range for the long distance reflective switch is -40 to +85C.
The OPB732 Series assembly is offered with either PC board through hole pins or 24in-long 26 AWG RoHS wires.
The phototransistor can be configured as a common collector or common emitter device.
Typical pricing for Optek's OPB732 reflective switch is US $2.97 each in quantities of 1000.
Lead time, if stock is not available, is from 8 to 10 weeks.
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