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General Capacitive proximity sensors

p No physical contact with the object to be detected.

Presentation Advantages
p High operating rates.

p Solid state, no moving parts (service life of sensor independent to number

of operating cycles).

p Detection of any object irrespective of material or conductivity, for example :

metals, minerals, wood, plastic, glass, cardboard, leather, ceramic, fluids,
etc.

A capacitive proximity sensor basically comprises an oscillator whose

Principle of capacitor is formed by 2 electrodes placed in front of the sensor.
operation

In open air (εr = 1), the capacitor capacitance is C0.

εr is the dielectric constant, which depends on the object material.
All materials where εr > 2 will be detected.

Electric field
Electrode

Air εr = 1
C = C0

When an object, of any material, (εr > 2) passes the sensing face of the
sensor, it modifies the coupling capacitance (C1).

The capacitance variation (C1> C0) instigates the starting of the oscillator.

This in turn causes the output driver to operate and provides an output signal.

Object εr > 2

C = C1

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 General Capacitive proximity sensors

Metal case cylindrical sensors and plastic case block sensors.

Types of sensor Sensors For detection of insulated materials (wood, plastic, cardboard, glass, etc.).
flush
mountable These sensors are recommended when :
in support p Detection distances are comparatively small.

p It is required that the sensors be flush mounted.

p The application necessitates the detection of a non conductive material

through a non conductive partition (for example : detection of glass in a
cardboard box).

Contamination
Front face

Main electrode
Compensation electrode
Earth electrode

(a) : compensation field (suppression of external contamination)

(b) : main electric field

Plastic case block sensors.

Sensors For detection of conductive materials (metal, water, liquids, etc.).
non flush
mountable These sensors are recommended for :
in support p Detection of conductive object materials at considerable distances.

p Detection of conductive materials through insulated partitions.

p Detection of non conductive materials on or in front of earthed metal parts.

Earth Front face

Main electrode

(a) : electric field

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 General Capacitive proximity sensors

Similar to that defined for inductive proximity sensors, the nominal sensing
Terminology Nominal sensing distance being calculated using a standard mild steel square target, 1 mm
distance Sn thick.
The side dimension of the square plate is equal to that of the sensor sensing
face.

Ø 18 or Ø 30 mm cylindrical type and 40 x 40 mm block type sensors

Sensitivity of incorporate a 20-turn sensitivity adjustment potentiometer. This enables the
the sensor sensitivity of the sensor to be adjusted to suit the type of object to be detected.

The sensors are factory preset for nominal sensitivity.

Depending on the application, adjustment of the sensitivity could be necessary

as follows :
- increasing the sensitivity for objects which have a weak influence
(low dielectric constant,εr), for example : paper, cardboard, glass, plastic,
- decreasing the sensitivity for objects which have a strong influence
(high dielectric constant, εr), for example : metals, liquids.
Telemecanique capacitive proximity sensors incorporate compensation
electrodes so as to eliminate the affects of varying environmental conditions
(humidity, pollution).

However, in the event of severe variations in the ambient conditions, do not

increase the sensitivity of the sensor such that it is set to its maximum
operating limits.

An increase in sensitivity causes an increase in the switching hysteresis.

P : sensitivity adjustment potentiometer

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 General Capacitive proximity sensors

The operating distance of the sensor is related to the dielectric constant (εr)
Terminology Operating of the object material to be detected.
distances The higher the value of εr, the easier the detection of the object will be.

The working distance depends on the object material : Sa = Sn x Fc

Sa = working distance,
Sn = nominal sensing distance of the sensor,
Fc = correction coefficient for the object material.

Example : sensor XT1-M30PA372 used to detect a rubber object

Sn = 10 mm, Fc = 0.3
Working distance Sa = 10 x 0.3 = 3 mm

The list below indicates the dielectric constant values for the most common
object materials, together with their correction factors (Fc) for the nominal
sensing distance of the sensor.

Material εr Fc Material εr Fc

Acetone 20 0.8 Paper 2…4 0.2…0.3

Air 1 0 Paraffin 2…2.5 0.2

Alcohol 24 0.85 Petrol 2.2 0.2

Ammonia 15…25 0.75…0.85 Plexiglass 3.2 0.3

Cement (powder) 4 0.35 Polyester resin 2.8…8 0.2…0.6

Cereals 3…5 0.3…0.4 Polystyrene 3 0.3

Damp wood 10…30 0.7…0.9 Porcelain 5…7 0.4…0.5

Dry wood 2…7 0.2…0.6 Powdered milk 3.5...4 0.3...0.4

Ethylene glycol 38 0.95 Rubber 2.5…3 0.3

Epoxy resin 4 0.36 Salt 6 0.5

Flour 2.5…3 0.2…0.3 Sand 3...5 0.3...0.4

Glass 3...10 0.3...0.7 Sugar 3 0.3

Marble 6…7 0.5…0.6 Teflon 2 0.2

Mica 6…7 0.5…0.6 Vaseline 2...3 0.2...0.3

Nylon 4…5 0.3…0.4 Water 80 1

Oil 2.2 0.2

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Environment Electromagnetic interference

Telemecanique sensors undergo electromagnetic interference testing in accordance to the recommendations of
standard IEC 947-5-2 (electrostatic discharges, radiated electromagnetic fields, fast transients, impulse voltages).

Thermal influences
It is advisable to remain within the values stated on the characteristics pages, so as to avoid sensing distance drift
and incorrect operation of the sensor.

Chemical agents
To ensure a long service life it is essential that any chemicals coming into contact with the case of the sensor are non
corrosive.

Mechanical shocks
The sensors are tested in accordance to the standard IEC 68-2-27, 50 gn, duration 11 ms.

Vibration
The sensors are tested in accordance to the standard IEC-68-2-6, amplitude ± 2 mm, F = 10 to 55 Hz, 25 gn at 55 Hz.

Earthing
Earthing of an object that has a high conductivity increases the sensing distance.

In order to avoid mutual interference between sensors, it is recommended that the minimum mounting distances given
Mounting precautions for “Setting-up” are adhered to.

Flush mountable cylindrical models

are suitable for applications where the head of the sensor
needs to be flush with the support surface.

Flush mountable model

Non flush mountable cylindrical models

require an area of free space around the head of the
sensor.

Non flush mountable model

Additional information - Terminology.

- Details and wiring constraints for 2-wire and 3-wire type sensors.
related to outputs - Connecting sensors in series or parallel.

Similar to that detailed on the corresponding pages relating to inductive proximity sensors.

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 General Capacitive proximity sensors

Application example : Bottle

“Bottle filling” arrival

Bottles are fed on a conveyor belt for filling.

The sensors 1 (for insulated object materials) and 2 (for conductive object
materials) are in the unoperated state.

Bottle
filling

As soon as the bottle enters the detection zone of sensor 1, the filling
operation commences.
Sensor 2 remains in the unoperated state.

Filling
complete

Sensor 2 detects that the required level has been reached and stops further
filling.

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