Photoelectric sensor

A photoelectric sensor, or photo eye, is a device used to detect the distance, absence, or presence of an object by using a light transmitter, often infrared, and a photoelectric receiver. They are used extensively in industrial manufacturing. There are three different functional types: opposed (through beam), retro-reflective, and proximity-sensing (diffused).

Conceptual through-beam system to detect unauthorized access to a secure door. If the beam is broken, the detector triggers some remote alerting device.

Types

A self-contained photoelectric sensor contains the optics, along with the electronics. It requires only a power source. The sensor performs its own modulation, demodulation, amplification, and output switching. Some self-contained sensors provide such options as built-in control timers or counters. Because of technological progress, self-contained photoelectric sensors have become increasingly smaller.

Remote photoelectric sensors used for remote sensing contain only the optical components of a sensor. The circuitry for power input, amplification, and output switching are located elsewhere, typically in a control panel. This allows the sensor, itself, to be very small. Also, the controls for the sensor are more accessible, since they may be bigger.

When space is restricted or the environment too hostile even for remote sensors, fiber optics may be used. Fiber optics are passive mechanical sensing components. They may be used with either remote or self-contained sensors. They have no electrical circuitry and no moving parts, and can safely pipe light into and out of hostile environments.

Sensing modes

A opposed (through beam) arrangement consists of a receiver located within the line-of-sight of the transmitter. In this mode, an object is detected when the light beam is blocked from getting to the receiver from the transmitter.

A retroreflective arrangement places the transmitter and receiver at the same location and uses a reflector to bounce the light beam back from the transmitter to the receiver. An object is sensed when the beam is interrupted and fails to reach the receiver.

A proximity-sensing (diffused) arrangement is one in which the transmitted radiation must reflect off the object in order to reach the receiver. In this mode, an object is detected when the receiver sees the transmitted source rather than when it fails to see it.

Some photo eyes have two different operational types, light operate and dark operate. Light operate photo eyes become operational when the receiver "receives" the transmitter signal. Dark operate photo eyes become operational when the receiver "does not receive" the transmitter signal.

The detecting range of a photoelectric sensor is its "field of view", or the maximum distance the sensor can retrieve information from, minus the minimum distance. A minimum detectable object is the smallest object the sensor can detect. More accurate sensors can often have minimum detectable objects of minuscule size.

Certain types of smoke detector use a photoelectric sensor to warn of smoldering fires.

Difference Between Modes

Name	Advantages	Disadvantages
Retroreflective	Most accurate Longest sensing range Very reliable	* Must install at two points on system: emitter and receiver Costly - must purchase both emitter and receiver
Diffusion	· Cost less than through-beam · Only slightly less accurate than through-beam · Sensing range better than diffuse · Very reliable || Example
Through Beam	Example	Example

See also

• List of sensors
• Photodetector
• Sensor

References

• Mounting Brackets & Components for Photoelectric/Automation Sensors, 2010, SoftNoze USA Inc, Frankfort, NY USA

• Guide to Sensing, 2002, Banner Engineering Corporation, P/N 120236

• http://sensors-transducers.globalspec.com/LearnMore/Sensors_Transducers_Detectors/Proximity_Presence_Sensing/Photoelectric_Sensors