SALESIAN POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY

HEADQUARTERS: GUAYAQUIL

ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING.

Subject: Industrial Automation II

Teacher: Ing. Byron Lima

Course: Laboratorio de Automatización

Timetable: Monday: 20h15-10h15; Wednesday: 20h15-22h15

Group: 4760

Student Adolfo David Tomala Narea

Task #5
Industrial Instrumentation.
Capacitive proximity sensors

Capacitive proximity sensors can detect both metallic and non-metallic targets in powder,
granulate ,liquid,and solid form.This,along with their ability to sense through nonferrous
materials,makes them ideal for sight glass monitoring,tank liquid level detection, and Hopper
poder level recognition.

Major Features of Capacitive Sensors

For both capacitive and inductive proximity sensors, hysteresis is an important operating
characteristic. Hysteresis is determined by the difference between the sensing face and target
detection distance, and the sensing face and target release distance. These traits dictate the
delineating line between object detection and non-detection. But despite their similarities to
inductive sensors, capacitive sensors have a number of distinct features, including:

• The ability to detect nonmetallic objects.

• The ability to detect small lightweight objects that cannot be picked up by mechanical limit
switches.
• A solid state output that does not bounce its contact signal.
• A high switching rate that provides quick reaction in object counting applications.
• The ability to detect liquid targets through certain barriers.
• A long operational lifespan.
 Although capacitive proximity sensors are useful for a range of applications, they can be
negatively influenced by elevated levels of humidity and moisture. In addition, their sensing
field must be relatively broad in order to provide effective detection.

Capacitive Sensing Range

Capacitive proximity sensors usually have a larger sensing range than their inductive
counterparts, and it typically falls between 5 and 40 millimeters. The detection distance
depends on plate diameter, as capacitive sensors measure dielectric gaps. Many capacitive
proximity sensors are equipped with sensitivity adjustment controls for the sensing range,
allowing them to compensate for target object and application conditions.

Electrical Switch Performance

Depending on the power options available, power requirements may be a key specification
when selecting a sensor.

• The device can be powered by either an AC or DC power source.

Load configurations are important parameters to consider. Capacitive proximity sensors may
switch an AC load or a DC load. DC load configurations can be NPN or PNP.
• NPN is a transistor output that switches the common or negative voltage to the load; load
connected between sensor output and positive voltage supply.
• PNP is a transistor output that switches the positive voltage to the load; load connected
between sensor output and voltage supply common or negative.
Wire configurations are 2-wire, 3-wire NPN, 3-wire PNP, 4-wire NPN and 4-wire PNP.

2-Wire DC circuitry typically includes a diode bridge in series with the sensor, allowing func-
tionality either as NPN or PNP in a DC circuit.

Connections Types.

[1]

Symbology.

Switch types can be normally open (NO) or normally closed (NC).

Capacitive proximity sensor sensitive to solid

Technical Characteristics.
Application.

• Capacitive proximity sensors can be tuned to detect a wide range of powder, liquid or
solid materials.
• It is also possible to detect the presence or absence of materials within a barrier or
package when the dielectric of the material is greater than the barrier or packaging.
• Capacitive sensors can also be used as a limit switch, for level detection, object
detection and for counting purposes.

Features

There are a number of features that may be important to consider when selecting capacitive
proximity sensors.

• Field adjustable sensors are required when adjustments need to be made while the
proximity sensor is in use. Potentiometers are commonly used to control the electric
field strength or detection range.
• Self-teaching proximity sensors can be auto-calibrated to trigger the switch at a
specific target location.

Electrical Connections

Electrical connections for capacitive proximity sensors can be fixed cable, connector(s), and
terminals.

• A fixed cable is an integral part of the sensor and often includes "bare" stripped leads.
• A sensor with connectors has an integral connector for attaching into an existing
system.
• A sensor with terminals has the ability to screw or clamp down.
Inductive Proximity Sensors.

The inductive proximity sensor is particularly suited for applications in demanding

environmental conditions, as it is often designed with vibration and shock resistance. Its sensor
is equipped with a high-frequency oscillator whose output is emitted through the sensor’s
surface. The output is also transmitted through a circuit into an amplifier stage. When an
electrically or magnetically conductive boundary draws closer to the surface, output voltage
decreases, until it is lowered to a point where the trigger circuit changes state and amplifier
output drops to zero. This triggering state can be adjusted to react to different levels of
displacement and proximity.

Principles of Inductive Proximity Sensors

Most inductive proximity sensors are equipped with a sensor coil, oscillator and detector
circuits, and a solid-state output circuit. The oscillator circuit creates a radio-frequency
electromagnetic field centered around a ferrite core and the coil array. The ferrite core directs
the field toward the sensor surface, and when a metal object enters the field, eddy currents
are induced into the object’s surface. This current induction yields a dampening effect that
lowers the amplitude of the oscillator’s signals.

Sensing Range.

An inductive proximity sensor has a sensing range that determines the functional distance
between a target and the sensor’s surface, and it also refers to the shape of the
electromagnetic field emitted by the coil and the ferrite core. Some of the common factors
that can influence the sensing range include:

• The ferrite core’s size and shielding

• The target object’s size and material composition
• Electrical and mechanical conditions in the environment
• Surrounding temperatures
• The target object’s shape
• Differences between the devices in the sensor unit
Connections Types.
Inductive proximity sensors may switch an AC load or a DC load.

DC load configurations can be NPN or PNP:

• NPN is a transistor output that switches the common or negative voltage to the load;
load connected between sensor output and positive voltage supply.
• PNP is a transistor output that switches the positive voltage to the load; load
connected between sensor output and voltage supply common or negative.

Wire configurations are 2-wire, 3-wire NPN, 3-wire PNP, 4-wire NPN, and 4-wire PNP.

Switch types can be normally open (NO) or normally closed (NC). Switch specifications include
whether or not the switch is normally open or normally closed. Switch repeatability and
maximum switching frequency are important parameters to consider. The switch may be a
NAMUR type switch, a specialized switch for switching a resistive load. Requires an external
amplifier.

Ferrous Proximity Switch, Normally Open

Ferrous Proximity Switch, Normally Closed Normally Open 3 Wire

Normally Closed 3 Wire Normally Open 3 Wire with connector

Normally Closed 3 Wire with connector

Applications:

Discrete (off/on) output inductive proximity sensors are used in a multitude of markets and
industries. The number of inductive sensors sold each year is in the millions. With that many
pieces being sold each year, one has to ask – how are all of these sensors being used? Their
uses break down into 3 common applications.

The 3 most common applications for discrete inductive proximity sensors are:

1.) Machine position verification

2.) Part position verification

3.) Part feature verification

Optical proximity sensors.
Optical proximity sensors generally cost more than inductive proximity sensors, and about the
same as capacitive sensors. They are widely used in automated systems because they have
been available longer and because some can fit into small locations. These sensors are more
commonly known as light beam sensors of the thru-beam type or of the retro reflective type.
Both sensor types are shown below.

[1]

The Operating Principle:

The light sensor in the optical proximity sensor is typically a semiconductor device such as a
photodiode, which generates a small current when light energy strikes it, or more commonly a
phototransistor or a photo-darlington that allows current to flow if light strikes it. Early light
sensors used photoconductive materials that became better conductors, and thus allowed
current to pass, when light energy struck them. Sensor control circuitry is also required. The
control circuitry may have to match the pulsing frequency of the transmitter with the light
sensor. Control circuitry is also often used to switch the output circuit at a certain light level.
Light beam sensors that output voltage or current proportional to the received light level are
also available.

Types of Optical Detectors:

Optical Sensors(Through-beam).

• Long sensing distance:up to 30 metres with some

devices.
• Will detect all but very transparent materials.
• Must be accurately aligned.

Optical Sensors(Retro-reflective)

• Sensing distance:1/2 to 1/3 of through-beam type.

• Not suilable for reflective or transparent targets.
• Target should be larger tan the reflector.

Optical Sensors(Diffuse).

• Sensing distance:much les tan réflex type , actual distance depends on

colour and reflective nature of the Surface.
• Larger targets result in longer sensing distances.
• Not suitable for dirty environnments.

Applications:
Through beam type sensors are usually used to signal the presence of an object that blocks
light. If they have adjustable switching levels, they can be used, for example, to detect whether
or not bottles are filled by the amount of light that passes through the bottle. Retroflective
type light sensors have the transmitter and receiver in the same package. They detect targets
that reflect light back to the sensor. Retroreflective sensors that are focused to recognize
targets within only a limited distance range are also available.

• Temperature measurement by infrared sensors.

 • Surface and subsurface detection of defects and delaminations.
• Surface inspection for gauging roughness and thickness.
• Characterization of particle flows(temperature, velocity and diameter).

Bibliography:
[1] L. Zone, «PC Control Learning Zone,» 12 July 2008. [En línea]. Available: https://www.pc-
control.co.uk/Optical.htm. [Último acceso: 15 August 2018].

[2] IEEEGlobalSpec, «Globalspec,» IEEE, 2017. [En línea]. Available:

https://www.globalspec.com/. [Último acceso: 15 August 2018].

[3] A. a. Controllers, «dominion,» 29 January 2017. [En línea]. Available: dominion.com-mx.

[Último acceso: 15 August 2018].

[4] Pepperl, «pepperl-fuchs,» 10 July 2016. [En línea]. Available: pepperl-fuchs.com. [Último
acceso: 15 August 2018].

[5] THOMAS, «thomasnet.com,» Thomas Publishing Company, June 2015. [En línea].
Available: https://www.thomasnet.com/articles/instruments-controls/proximity-sensors.
[Último acceso: 15 August 2018].