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Proximity sensor packages and outputs
Proximity sensors use several detecting techniques like inductive, capacitive and magnetic.
For general use, Sensor housings are made of plastics and metals can be found in market. There are verities of shapes available and cylindrical shapes are common. Most of sensors have either screw thread on its body if it is cylindrical shape to make them easy to mount. Other shapes generally have mounting holes. Sensors with holes are used in some applications where they have through hole where an object inserted to hole of sensor used to activate sensor. Slotted type of sensors used to detect presence of object inside slot. Sensors used in strong DC and AC fields has durable Ryton to protect against molten metal plus a weld resistant coated brass housing
For Rugged area use , sensor shapes are same as general use except they are sealed if used in moisture or dusty environments. Generally these sensors have metal housings of stainless steel or brass. We can find sensors with IP65, IP67 standards for meet special environment requirements.
While all above types are industrial transducers, there are board level sensors which are very small and actually the active elements inside most industrial sensors. Most of these level sensors can be directly mounted on to PCB and needs signal conditioning. Most are in standard electronic component packages like TO-92, DIP, SSOP etc. and made with mostly different types of plastics.
Sensor connectors have several output types to meet industrial standards. This output types includes analog output like 4-20mA, PNP or NPN switching o/p, bus outputs like RS485 etc.
