Sensors

Sensors with high excess gain are better at detecting targets in environments with elevated levels of airborne contaminants. Purge collars are accessories that prevent contaminants from collecting on the sensor face (not compatible with ultrasonic sensors). Excess gain for a sensor is found in the data sheet. 

A potentiometer increases or decreases the excess gain of the sensor. A higher excess gain has a stronger signal and can travel further.

Vibrations can change the beam positioning. A larger beam spot is more forgiving when mounted on machinery over a smaller beam spot. 

It is best to pass a target normal to the sensor face, object motion should be perpendicular to the emitter and receiver. 

Light operate triggers the output when the receiver receives the sensing beam, dark operate triggers the output when the receiver does not receive the sensing beam. Depending on the specific sensor wiring, this can correspond to normally open and closed wiring. 

Increasing the range between the sensor and the target lowers the accuracy of the reading. If you need high precision, it is better to look for a short-range sensor. 

• The steady green indicator is on when power is being supplied to the sensor. 
• The steady amber indicator is on when the receiver is seeing more than enough light intensity from the emitter, a high excess gain.
• The flashing amber indicator is on when the receiver is seeing enough light from the emitter, but it is near the threshold of required excess gain. 
• The green indicator is off when power supplied to the sensor is insufficient. 
• The amber indicator is off when the receiver is not seeing any light from the emitter, or the light intensity is not above the required excess gain. 

Most sensors have non-volatile memory so they can store their taught conditions even when the power supply is interrupted.