{"id":8234154,"date":"2026-10-24T17:30:02","date_gmt":"2026-10-24T17:30:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/scn.eu\/?post_type=scn_guide&#038;p=8234154"},"modified":"2026-10-24T17:30:02","modified_gmt":"2026-10-24T17:30:02","slug":"inductive-proximity-sensor","status":"publish","type":"scn_guide","link":"https:\/\/scn.eu\/en\/guides\/inductive-proximity-sensor\/","title":{"rendered":"Inductive proximity sensors \u2013 how they work and how to choose"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"scn-guide\">\n<h1>Inductive proximity sensors \u2013 how they work and how to choose<\/h1>\n<p class=\"g-lead\">An inductive proximity sensor detects metal without contact and does not wear out from switching. This guide explains how it works, what the sensing distance means in practice and how to choose mounting, output and robustness.<\/p>\n<div class=\"g-short\"><b class=\"t\">Short answer<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Detects metal only<\/b> \u2013 from under a millimetre to a few centimetres, without contact or wear.<\/li>\n<li><b>Design for the assured distance<\/b> \u2013 at most 81% of the rated distance Sn, and shorter for stainless steel, brass, aluminium and copper.<\/li>\n<li><b>Flush or non-flush<\/b> \u2013 flush can sit level with metal, non-flush reaches further but needs free space.<\/li>\n<li><b>PNP and NO<\/b> are most common in Europe. Check what the PLC input expects.<\/li>\n<li><b>Harsh conditions<\/b> \u2013 stainless housing and IP69K for high-pressure washdown, a weld-field immune sensor near spot welding.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<h2>What is an inductive sensor and how does it work?<\/h2>\n<p>An inductive sensor, or inductive proximity switch, is an electronic switch that changes state when metal comes close. It is used wherever a machine needs to know whether something is in place: a tool, a gear tooth, a pallet or a closed hatch.<\/p>\n<p>Behind the face is a coil which, together with an oscillator, creates an alternating magnetic field. When metal enters the field, eddy currents draw energy from the oscillator. When the damping is large enough, the output switches. The sensor has no moving parts and is not affected by dust, oil and dirt the way an optical sensor is.<\/p>\n<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/scn.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/scn-guide-induktiva-f1-en.webp\" alt=\"Principle of an inductive sensor: the coil in the face creates an alternating magnetic field, a metal object damps the field through eddy currents and the output switches.\" width=\"1520\" height=\"500\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"><figcaption>The coil creates a field. When metal comes close, the field is damped and the output switches.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Sensing distance and mounting<\/h2>\n<p>The distance in the datasheet is the rated sensing distance, Sn. It is measured against a standard target of mild steel, 1 mm thick, as defined in IEC 60947-5-2. In practice it varies with temperature, voltage and from unit to unit.<\/p>\n<p>That is why there is an assured sensing distance, Sa, which is at most 81% of Sn. Within Sa the sensor is guaranteed to switch, so design for Sa. An M18 sensor with an Sn of 8 mm should have the object within about 6.5 mm. An object smaller than the standard target also gives a shorter distance.<\/p>\n<h3>Correction factor \u2013 different metals, different distances<\/h3>\n<p>Metals other than steel are detected at shorter distances. Multiply Sn by the correction factor for the metal. Values are typical; check the datasheet. There are also factor 1 sensors, which detect all metals at the same distance.<\/p>\n<div class=\"g-tbl\">\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Metal<\/th>\n<th>Typical factor<\/th>\n<th>M18 with Sn 8 mm reaches about<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"n\">Mild steel<\/td>\n<td>1.0<\/td>\n<td>8 mm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"n\">Stainless steel<\/td>\n<td>0.7\u20130.85<\/td>\n<td>5.5\u20137 mm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"n\">Brass<\/td>\n<td>0.4\u20130.5<\/td>\n<td>3\u20134 mm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"n\">Aluminium<\/td>\n<td>0.3\u20130.45<\/td>\n<td>2.5\u20133.5 mm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"n\">Copper<\/td>\n<td>0.25\u20130.4<\/td>\n<td>2\u20133 mm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<h3>Flush or non-flush?<\/h3>\n<p>A <b>flush (shielded)<\/b> sensor has a shield around the coil, so the field points straight ahead. It can be mounted level with metal. A <b>non-flush (unshielded)<\/b> sensor has a wider field and roughly 1.5\u20132 times the distance in the same size. In return the head needs a metal-free zone around it, or the sensor will detect its own bracket. Sensors mounted close together can interfere \u2013 keep the spacing in the datasheet.<\/p>\n<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/scn.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/scn-guide-induktiva-f2-en.webp\" alt=\"Comparison: a flush sensor sits level with a metal plate and has a narrow field. A non-flush sensor protrudes from the plate, has a wider field and needs a metal-free zone around its head.\" width=\"1520\" height=\"580\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"><figcaption>A flush sensor can sit level with metal. A non-flush sensor reaches further but needs free space.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Output and connection: PNP, NPN, NO, NC and IO-Link<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>PNP<\/b> switches the positive supply to the load. Standard for most PLC inputs in Europe.<\/li>\n<li><b>NPN<\/b> switches the load to 0 V. Common on Asian and older machines.<\/li>\n<li><b>NO (normally open)<\/b> is active when metal is present, <b>NC (normally closed)<\/b> when no metal is present.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"g-tbl\">\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Type<\/th>\n<th>Wires<\/th>\n<th>Use it when<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"n\">2-wire<\/td>\n<td>Supply and signal on the same two wires, DC or AC<\/td>\n<td>The sensor replaces a limit switch or sits in series with a relay. Needs a minimum load current and has a small leakage current.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"n\">3-wire<\/td>\n<td>Positive, 0 V and output<\/td>\n<td>The standard choice for PLC inputs.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"n\">4-wire<\/td>\n<td>Positive, 0 V and two outputs<\/td>\n<td>You want both NO and NC, or a switching output plus IO-Link.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"n\">IO-Link<\/td>\n<td>Three wires, unshielded cable up to 20 m<\/td>\n<td>You want to set up the sensor from the PLC, read diagnostics and swap sensors without readjusting (IEC 61131-9).<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<p>The connector is usually M8 on small sensors and M12 on the rest. Wire colours are standardised: brown positive, blue 0 V, black output and white second output. A connector makes replacement much quicker than a fixed cable.<\/p>\n<h2>Inductive, capacitive or Hall effect sensor?<\/h2>\n<div class=\"g-tbl\">\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Sensor type<\/th>\n<th>Detects<\/th>\n<th>Good for<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"n\">Inductive<\/td>\n<td>Metal, at short range<\/td>\n<td>Positions, end positions, gear teeth and metal parts<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"n\">Capacitive<\/td>\n<td>Almost anything: metal, plastic, wood, liquids and granules<\/td>\n<td>Level in tanks and silos, even through a plastic or glass wall. Affected by moisture and build-up.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"n\">Hall effect<\/td>\n<td>Magnetic fields: a magnet or teeth of iron and steel<\/td>\n<td>Speed and direction, even at very low speeds, and position through an aluminium or stainless wall<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<p>Rule of thumb: if the object is metal and the distance is short, choose inductive. If it is anything else, choose capacitive. For speed and direction from a gear wheel in harsh conditions, choose a Hall effect sensor.<\/p>\n<h2>Where are inductive sensors used?<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Factory and packaging<\/b> \u2013 tool and slide positions, counting metal caps, checking that a part is in the fixture.<\/li>\n<li><b>Mobile machines<\/b> \u2013 boom and outrigger positions, wheel and axle speed on cranes, agricultural and forestry machines.<\/li>\n<li><b>Food and pharma<\/b> \u2013 conveyors and filling machines that are washed down every day.<\/li>\n<li><b>Automotive production<\/b> \u2013 checking that sheet metal parts are in place before the robot welds.<\/li>\n<li><b>Infrastructure and transport<\/b> \u2013 limit positions on lock gates, bridges and rail switches, door positions on trains and buses.<\/li>\n<li><b>Energy<\/b> \u2013 position feedback from dampers and valves in power and heating plants.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Robustness and common mistakes<\/h2>\n<p>IP67 is enough for most machines. High-pressure washdown with hot water needs IP69K, preferably with a stainless housing and face. Near spot welding, strong magnetic fields can cause false switching, and spatter sticks to the face. Choose weld-field immune sensors with a coating that spatter does not stick to.<\/p>\n<ol class=\"g-pit\">\n<li><b>Designing for Sn.<\/b> Use at most 81% of Sn, and apply the correction factor if the object is not steel.<\/li>\n<li><b>A non-flush sensor in a metal bracket.<\/b> The sensor detects its own bracket and stays on.<\/li>\n<li><b>The wrong output type.<\/b> An NPN sensor on a PNP input will not work. Check NO or NC too.<\/li>\n<li><b>2-wire sensors on sensitive inputs.<\/b> The leakage current can be enough for an electronic input to read the signal as high.<\/li>\n<li><b>Using the sensor as a mechanical stop.<\/b> The object should pass in front of the sensor, not hit it. Let an end stop take the force.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2>Inductive sensors from SCN<\/h2>\n<p>We carry inductive sensors from Mibbo and Wenglor: threaded miniature sensors from M4, long-range sensors up to M30, DC or AC supply, analogue output and stainless housings with IP69K. We also carry capacitive and Hall effect sensors.<\/p>\n<h3>Examples from our range<\/h3>\n<div class=\"g-prod\"><a class=\"g-pc\" href=\"https:\/\/scn.eu\/en\/product\/i12h019\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/scn.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/I12H019.jpg\" alt=\"Wenglor I12H019 Inductive Sensor\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"><span class=\"g-pb\">Wenglor<\/span><span class=\"g-pn\">I12H019 Inductive Sensor<\/span><span class=\"g-pw\">Inductive sensor with IO-Link: three switching distances, PNP or NPN and NO or NC set in one sensor. IP67.<\/span><\/a><a class=\"g-pc\" href=\"https:\/\/scn.eu\/en\/product\/iyk-anti-interference-inductive-sensor\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/scn.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/mibbo-iyk-main.webp\" alt=\"Mibbo IYK Anti-Interference Inductive Sensor\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"><span class=\"g-pb\">Mibbo<\/span><span class=\"g-pn\">IYK Anti-Interference Inductive Sensor<\/span><span class=\"g-pw\">Anti-interference sensor for side-by-side mounting and electromagnetically noisy machines. NPN or PNP, NO or NC.<\/span><\/a><a class=\"g-pc\" href=\"https:\/\/scn.eu\/en\/product\/2-channel-differential-hall-m18\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/scn.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/2-Channel_HD_M18.jpeg\" alt=\"Rheintacho 2-Channel Differential-Hall M18\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"><span class=\"g-pb\">Rheintacho<\/span><span class=\"g-pn\">2-Channel Differential-Hall M18<\/span><span class=\"g-pw\">Hall effect sensor in a stainless M18 housing that measures speed and direction, 0.1\u201320 kHz.<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"g-links\"><a href=\"https:\/\/scn.eu\/en\/product-category\/products\/sensors\/inductive-sensors\/\">Inductive sensors<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/scn.eu\/en\/product-category\/products\/sensors\/capacitive-sensors\/\">Capacitive sensors<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/scn.eu\/en\/product-category\/products\/sensors\/hall-effect-sensors\/\">Hall effect sensors<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/scn.eu\/en\/product-category\/products\/sensors\/\">Sensors<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/scn.eu\/en\/product-category\/products\/connectors-and-cables\/\">Connectors and cables<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"g-cta\">\n<p>Not sure about distance, output or robustness? Describe the object and the environment, and our engineers will help you choose the right sensor \u2013 you get an answer within 24 hours.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/scn.eu\/en\/contact\/\">Ask an engineer<\/a><\/div>\n<h2>Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n<details>\n<summary>What is the difference between PNP and NPN?<\/summary>\n<p>A PNP sensor switches the positive supply to the load, an NPN sensor switches the load to 0 V. The sensor must match the input of your control system.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary>Can an inductive sensor detect aluminium?<\/summary>\n<p>Yes, but at a shorter distance. With a correction factor of around 0.3\u20130.45, the distance is roughly a third of the rated value. Choose a factor 1 sensor if the distance is critical.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary>How far can an inductive sensor detect?<\/summary>\n<p>From under a millimetre for the smallest sensors to around 40 mm for long-range M30 sensors. A larger diameter and non-flush mounting give a longer distance.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary>Can an inductive sensor detect through a wall?<\/summary>\n<p>Through a thin plastic wall, yes. Through metal, no \u2013 it will detect the wall. In that case a Hall effect sensor with a magnet on the object is used instead.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>An inductive proximity sensor detects metal without contact and does not wear out from switching. This guide explains how it works, what the sensing distance means in practice and how to choose mounting, output and robustness.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":8234040,"template":"","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":"inductive proximity sensor","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Inductive proximity sensors explained: how they work, rated and assured sensing distance, correction factors, flush or non-flush, PNP\/NPN and IO-Link.","_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"hide","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"hide","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","_scn_guide_cats":[681,56932,678],"_scn_guide_sectors":[1011,1037],"_scn_guide_type":"tech","_scn_guide_order":22,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-8234154","scn_guide","type-scn_guide","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This 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