Ferrous Metal Detection Sensors

Analog Ferrous Metal Detection Sensors

Analog Ferrous Metal Position Sensors provide a single analog output that increases as steel approaches the sensor face. 

• Lower cost 275VPA sensors output tracks a large steel plate over 3/8” of travel with our standard programming and can be custom programmed to detect specific targets over a gap range for tracking changing proximity.  These sensors can be built in smaller housings than our other ferrous metal proximity sensors.
• 250A2, 375AP2, and 500AP2 sensors detect steel at greater gaps (greater than 3” for 500AP2 sensors) and are available in two packages.  A ¾-20 threaded housing and a flange mount package where there is not room for a long threaded cylinder in front of the target.
• 750AP2 and 870AP2 sensors are offered in 1&1/4-18 threaded body.  750AP2 sensors can detect a steel target up to 2.5” away, 870AP2 sensors can detect  steel at a gap of 3.5”

Digital Ferrous Metal Proximity Sensors

Digital Ferrous Metal Detection Sensors provide a digital output that turns on when detecting the presence of steel. 

• Lower cost 275VPD sensors' output detects a large steel plate at 3/8” with our standard programming, but can be custom programmed to detect specific targets at a precise gap.  These sensors can be built in smaller housings than our other ferrous metal proximity sensors.
• 250D2, 375DP2, and 500DP2 sensors detect steel at greater gaps (1” for 500DP2X sensors) and are available in two packages.  A ¾-20 threaded housing and a flange mount package where there is not room for a long threaded cylinder in front of the target.  These sensors also have an analog output on the 4^th pin for tracking proximity.  The digital output turns on when the analog output reaches 2.0V.  There is a potentiometer under the sensor connector that can be turned to adjust the output with no steel present, which increases or decreases the gap at which the digital output will switch.
• 750DP2 and 870DP2 sensors are offered in 1&1/4-18 threaded body.  750DP2 sensors can detect a steel target over 1” away, 870AP2 sensors can detect steel at a gap of nearly 1.5”. These sensors also feature an analog output on the 4^th pin for tracking proximity.  The digital output turns on when the analog output signal is 2.0V or higher.  There is a potentiometer in the sensor that adjusts the output with no steel present, which increases or decreases the gap at which the digital output will switch.

Which Ferrous Metal Detection Sensor is Right for your application?

For applications where the target can be consistently within 3/8” of the sensor face we recommend out 275VPA or 275VPD sensors.  The output of these sensors is precise and repeatable at the same gap even when temperatures change.  They can be custom programmed for high precision applications and the sensors can be built in a wide variety of packages.

For applications where the sensor face needs to be greater than 3/8”, such as detecting a steel component inside an aluminum housing, our larger analog and digital ferrous proximity sensors can be selected from based on the gap ranges and target size that need to be targeted.  These long distance ferrous metal sensors are subject to some output drift with no target present over changing temperatures.   Analog Sensor Meters are available in our accessories catalog that can be paired with sensors for zeroing out the output between detection cycles to eliminate the effects of changing temperature.

To learn about the affects of mounting a ferrous metal sensor in a steel sleeve, we offer the following Application Note.

If you have any questions on our ferrous metal detection sensors, or require a custom form factor or programmed sensor for your application, contact our Engineers to discuss a custom solution.