How to identify industrial sensors
Sensors convert a physical condition — presence, position, pressure, temperature — into a signal a controller can read.
Have one in front of you? Photograph it and get an evidence-backed identification.
Identify from a photoIdentification clues
- —Thread size and body form (M8/M12/M18/M30 barrels, rectangular)
- —Output type printed on body (PNP/NPN, NO/NC, 4–20 mA, 0–10 V)
- —Connector type and pin count
- —Sensing face material and flush/non-flush construction
- —LED indicators and adjustment pots
Common types
- —Inductive proximity
- —Capacitive proximity
- —Photoelectric
- —Pressure transmitter
- —RTD / thermocouple
- —Encoder
- —Level sensor
Typical failure modes
- —Damaged sensing face
- —Cable fatigue at the gland
- —Moisture ingress
- —Drift or calibration error
- —Output transistor failure
What a replacement must match
- —Match output type and logic
- —Match sensing range and flush mounting
- —Match thread and connector
- —Confirm IP rating and temperature range
Photos that help identification
- —Photograph the laser-etched text along the body
- —Show the connector pins
- —Show the sensing face
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Related guides
General reference information. Always verify against the manufacturer’s documentation before ordering or installing.