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Datalogic / Datasensing S300 series machine vision sensor
Datalogic / DatasensingPhotoelectric sensors
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Datasensing S300 Maxi Photoelectric Sensor Series

S300 series

The S300 is a cubic "maxi" photoelectric sensor family from Datalogic offered as the standard S300-PA and heavy-duty S300-PR ranges, both housed in IP67 PBT fiberglass-reinforced plastic with a PMMA optical head and a defogging function for outdoor and harsh environments. Optical functions cover through-beam up to 60 m, polarized retroreflective up to about 22 m, diffuse proximity up to 5 m and background suppression, using red-LED or infrared-LED emission. DC models (code "2") provide selectable NPN/PNP dark/light open-collector output at 12-30 Vdc with 1 ms response and 500 Hz switching; multivoltage models (code "1") provide a relay SPDT output at 24-240 Vac / 24-60 Vdc with ~20-25 ms response. All models include dual independent timing functions (ON-delay, OFF-delay, ONE-SHOT) and operate from -40 to +55 C.

Brand
Datalogic / Datasensing
Sensor type
Photoelectric (maxi cubic)
Sensing method
Through-beam, polarized retroreflective, diffuse, background suppression (version-dependent)
Light source
Red LED (retroreflective) / Infrared LED 940 nm (through-beam & diffuse)
Range / distance
Up to 60 m through-beam (≈22 m polarized retro, up to 5 m diffuse proximity)
Response time
1 ms (DC NPN/PNP models); ~20-25 ms (AC/DC relay models)
Switching frequency
500 Hz (DC models); 25 Hz (AC/DC relay models)
Output type
Selectable NPN/PNP open collector, dark/light (code 2) or relay SPDT (code 1)
Supply voltage
12-30 Vdc (code 2) or 24-240 Vac / 24-60 Vdc multivoltage (code 1)
Connection
Terminal block or M12 connector (version-dependent)
Housing material
PBT 30% glass-fiber-reinforced housing; frontal window and lens in PC (polycarbonate)
Dimensions
25 x 100 x 70 mm (same for both S300-PA and S300-PR per catalogue)
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Technical overview

The S300 is a "maxi" cubic photoelectric sensor from Datalogic, supplied in two ranges that share the same 25 x 100 x 70 mm body: the standard S300-PA and the heavy-duty S300-PR. As a photoelectric device its job is to detect the presence, absence or position of an object by interrupting or reflecting a light beam, then drive a downstream signal. The family covers the four classic optical functions, so the version you order defines the geometry: through-beam (separate emitter and receiver) reaches up to 60 m, polarized retroreflective (sensor plus a reflector) reaches about 22 m, diffuse proximity (target acts as the reflector) works up to 5 m, and a background-suppression version detects within a fixed window while ignoring whatever sits behind it. Emission is red LED on the retroreflective version and 940 nm infrared LED on the through-beam and diffuse versions. For an installer this means range and the surface/finish of the target drive the choice: long conveyor gaps and dirty environments favor through-beam at distance; a clean fixed reflector position favors polarized retroreflective; and where you can only mount on one side and the target is close, diffuse or background-suppression is the route.

The electrical side splits into two distinct output worlds, selected by the model code, and this is the single most important design-in decision. The DC "code 2" models run on 12-30 Vdc and provide a selectable NPN/PNP open-collector output with switchable dark/light operation, a fast 1 ms response time and 500 Hz switching frequency. That speed suits use as a precise trigger or count input to a PLC or vision system on a moving line. The multivoltage "code 1" models instead run on a universal 24-240 Vac / 24-60 Vdc supply and switch a relay SPDT contact, with a much slower ~20-25 ms response and 25 Hz switching. The relay variant is the one to pick when you must drive an AC load, an existing mains-level control circuit, or want a galvanically isolated dry contact, accepting that it cannot resolve fast-moving small objects the way the DC version can. Both variants include dual independent timing functions (ON-delay, OFF-delay and ONE-SHOT), which let you stretch, delay or shape the output pulse at the sensor itself without adding PLC logic.

Mechanically the S300 is built for harsh and outdoor duty. The housing is PBT with 30% glass-fiber reinforcement and the frontal window and lens are polycarbonate, the assembly is rated IP67, and a defogging function on the optical head helps keep the window clear in condensing or wet conditions. Wiring is via either a terminal block or an M12 connector depending on version, so you can choose hardwired cabling for fixed installs or a quick-disconnect M12 for serviceable stations. The two ranges differ mainly in temperature rating: the heavy-duty S300-PR operates from -40 to +55 C (storage -40 to +70 C), while the standard S300-PA operates from -25 to +55 C (storage -25 to +70 C). For cold-store, freezer-line or unheated outdoor logistics applications the PR range is the one that survives the low end; the PA range covers normal indoor and ambient industrial conditions.

Best for

  • Long-range presence detection across wide conveyor gaps or gate openings using the through-beam version, which reaches up to 60 m emitter-to-receiver
  • High-speed object counting or position triggering on moving lines using the DC NPN/PNP model with 1 ms response and 500 Hz switching
  • Reliable detection of shiny or wrapped packages with the polarized retroreflective version (red LED, up to ~22 m) against a fixed reflector
  • Cold-store, freezer-line and unheated outdoor logistics or packaging stations where the heavy-duty S300-PR survives down to -40 C
  • Interfacing directly to mains-level or AC control circuits via the multivoltage relay SPDT model (24-240 Vac / 24-60 Vdc) where a dry isolated contact is required

Selection notes

  • Pick the optical function for the geometry: through-beam (up to 60 m) needs both emitter and receiver and a reflector-free path; polarized retroreflective (~22 m) needs a reflector but only one mounting side; diffuse (up to 5 m) and background-suppression detect off the target itself at close range
  • Choose the output world early: DC code-2 models give selectable NPN/PNP open-collector with fast 1 ms / 500 Hz switching for PLC and vision triggering, while code-1 multivoltage models give a relay SPDT at the cost of ~20-25 ms response and 25 Hz switching
  • Match supply to the model: 12-30 Vdc for the code-2 DC version versus 24-240 Vac / 24-60 Vdc universal supply for the code-1 multivoltage version
  • Match the temperature range to the environment: specify the S300-PR (-40 to +55 C) for cold or outdoor duty and the S300-PA (-25 to +55 C) for standard ambient conditions; both share IP67 sealing and the defogging optical head for wet or condensing sites
  • Plan wiring around the version: terminal-block models suit fixed hardwired installs while M12-connector models allow quick service swaps; the dual ON-delay / OFF-delay / ONE-SHOT timers can absorb pulse-shaping logic at the sensor

Specifications: General
BrandDatalogic / Datasensing
Sensor typePhotoelectric (maxi cubic)

Specifications: Performance
Range / distanceUp to 60 m through-beam (≈22 m polarized retro, up to 5 m diffuse proximity)
Response time1 ms (DC NPN/PNP models); ~20-25 ms (AC/DC relay models)
Switching frequency500 Hz (DC models); 25 Hz (AC/DC relay models)

Specifications: Interface
ConnectionTerminal block or M12 connector (version-dependent)

Specifications: Electrical
Supply voltage12-30 Vdc (code 2) or 24-240 Vac / 24-60 Vdc multivoltage (code 1)

Specifications: Environment
Operating temperatureS300-PR: -40...+55 C (storage -40...+70 C); S300-PA: -25...+55 C (storage -25...+70 C)
IP ratingIP67

Specifications: Sensing
Sensing methodThrough-beam, polarized retroreflective, diffuse, background suppression (version-dependent)
Light sourceRed LED (retroreflective) / Infrared LED 940 nm (through-beam & diffuse)

Specifications: Output
Output typeSelectable NPN/PNP open collector, dark/light (code 2) or relay SPDT (code 1)

Specifications: Mechanical
Housing materialPBT 30% glass-fiber-reinforced housing; frontal window and lens in PC (polycarbonate)
Dimensions25 x 100 x 70 mm (same for both S300-PA and S300-PR per catalogue)

Frequently asked questions

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