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Datalogic / Datasensing S41 series machine vision sensor
Datalogic / DatasensingPhotoelectric sensors
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Datasensing S41 Miniature Photoelectric Sensor

S41 series

The S41 is a basic-line miniature photoelectric sensor in an ABS housing offering multiple optic functions: diffuse proximity adjustable 0.2-35 cm, 11 cm fixed-focus proximity for background suppression, 2.5 m polarised retroreflex, 0.7 m retroreflex for transparents, and up to 6 m through-beam (1.5 m narrow-beam emitter version). Emission is red LED 660 nm (B, D, P, T versions) or infrared LED 880 nm (C, G, H versions), with both NC and NO outputs available as NPN or PNP on separate poles. It runs on 10-30 VDC at 35 mA max, delivers 100 mA output current with 1 ms response time and 500 Hz switching frequency. Connection is via M8 4-pole connector or 2 m cable, with IP67/IP66 protection and -25...+55 degC operating temperature.

Brand
Datalogic / Datasensing
Sensor type
Photoelectric sensor
Sensing method
Through-beam, retroreflective (polarised), diffuse/proximity and fixed-focus (background suppression) variants
Light source
Red LED 660 nm (B, D, P, T versions); infrared LED 880 nm (C, G, H versions)
Range / distance
Up to 6 m through-beam; 2.5 m polarised retroreflex; 0.7 m retroreflex for transparents; 0.2-35 cm diffuse; 11 cm fixed focus
Response time
1 ms max.
Switching frequency
500 Hz max.
Output type
NC-NO, PNP or NPN (selectable by model); 100 mA max., short-circuit protected
Communication
Discrete switching output (NO/NC)
Supply voltage
10...30 VDC, reverse-polarity protected
Connection
M8 4-pole connector, or 2 m diam. 3.5 mm cable (model dependent)
Housing material
ABS housing, PMMA plastic lens
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Technical overview

The Datalogic Datasensing S41 is a basic-line miniature photoelectric sensor family built around an ABS housing with a PMMA plastic lens, offered in several optic functions so one form factor can cover most part-present and edge-detection tasks in a machine. The sensing principle changes with the model: through-beam reaches up to 6 m (1.5 m on the narrow-beam emitter variant) for the most reliable interruption detection across a gap; polarised retroreflective covers 2.5 m and a dedicated retroreflex version reaches 0.7 m specifically for transparent objects; diffuse/proximity is adjustable from 0.2 to 35 cm; and a fixed-focus version detects to 11 cm with background suppression so it ignores surfaces just behind the target. Emission is either red LED at 660 nm (B, D, P, T versions), which gives a visible spot that speeds up alignment, or infrared LED at 880 nm (C, G, H versions) for use on dark or low-contrast surfaces.

Electrically the S41 is a straightforward discrete switching device rather than a measurement sensor. It runs on 10-30 VDC, draws 35 mA max, and switches a solid-state output rated 100 mA that is short-circuit protected, with reverse-polarity protection on the supply. Both NO and NC functions are available, and output polarity is PNP or NPN selectable by model, so the part you order has to match the sinking or sourcing convention of the receiving PLC or controller input card. Timing is fast for a basic-line device: 1 ms maximum response time and 500 Hz maximum switching frequency, which is enough to flag small gaps and edges on a moving line but is a switching trigger, not a high-resolution position output. Connection is by M8 4-pole connector (10 g version, easy to swap) or a flying 2 m cable on a 3.5 mm jacket (40 g version).

For an installer the S41 reads as a low-cost, easy-to-align presence and trigger sensor rather than anything that returns a distance or analogue value. Its IP67 rating (P, D, F, G, H versions) or IP66 (B, C, T versions) and -25 to +55 degC operating range suit it to general factory, packaging and conveyor environments, though the ABS body and plastic lens mean it is not intended for washdown chemical or high-temperature duty. In a vision cell its most common role is as the external trigger that tells a camera exactly when a part is in the field of view, or as a simple part-present interlock upstream or downstream of the inspection station. The choice between optic functions is the real design decision: through-beam for the most robust gap detection, polarised retroreflex for shiny objects, the dedicated 0.7 m retroreflex for transparents, and diffuse for one-sided mounting where you cannot place a reflector or receiver opposite the target.

Best for

  • External trigger for a machine-vision camera, firing the discrete output as a part enters the field of view on a conveyor or indexing line
  • Part-present and edge detection on packaging and logistics lines, using through-beam up to 6 m for the most reliable gap detection across wide conveyors
  • Detection of transparent objects such as clear bottles and film, using the dedicated 0.7 m retroreflex version (or polarised retroreflex 2.5 m for shiny parts)
  • One-sided proximity detection where no opposing reflector or receiver can be mounted, using the diffuse variant adjustable 0.2-35 cm
  • Background-suppressed counting of objects close to a fixed surface, using the 11 cm fixed-focus version to ignore the conveyor or backplate behind the part

Selection notes

  • Pick the optic function first: through-beam (up to 6 m, or 1.5 m narrow-beam emitter) for the most robust gap detection, polarised retroreflex (2.5 m) for shiny parts, the dedicated retroreflex (0.7 m) for transparents, diffuse (0.2-35 cm) for one-sided mounting, or fixed-focus (11 cm) when you must suppress a close background.
  • Match the emission to the target: red LED 660 nm (B, D, P, T) gives a visible spot for fast alignment, while infrared 880 nm (C, G, H) is suited to dark or low-contrast surfaces but gives no visible beam.
  • Confirm output polarity and function against the controller input: PNP or NPN is selectable by model, and both NO and NC are offered, so the ordering code must match the PLC or vision controller's sinking/sourcing wiring.
  • Budget the timing: 1 ms response and 500 Hz switching are adequate for triggering and part-present logic, but this is a discrete switch with no analogue or measurement output, so it cannot report distance or dimension.
  • Check the environment and connection: IP67 (P, D, F, G, H) versus IP66 (B, C, T), -25 to +55 degC operation, and ABS/PMMA construction rule it out of washdown or hot duty; choose the M8 4-pole connector (10 g) for serviceability or the 2 m cable (40 g) for fixed installs.

Specifications: General
BrandDatalogic / Datasensing
Sensor typePhotoelectric sensor

Specifications: Performance
Range / distanceUp to 6 m through-beam; 2.5 m polarised retroreflex; 0.7 m retroreflex for transparents; 0.2-35 cm diffuse; 11 cm fixed focus
Response time1 ms max.
Switching frequency500 Hz max.

Specifications: Interface
CommunicationDiscrete switching output (NO/NC)
ConnectionM8 4-pole connector, or 2 m diam. 3.5 mm cable (model dependent)

Specifications: Electrical
Supply voltage10...30 VDC, reverse-polarity protected

Specifications: Environment
Operating temperature-25...+55 degC (storage -25...+70 degC)
IP ratingIP67 (P, D, F, G, H versions); IP66 (B, C, T versions)

Specifications: Sensing
Sensing methodThrough-beam, retroreflective (polarised), diffuse/proximity and fixed-focus (background suppression) variants
Light sourceRed LED 660 nm (B, D, P, T versions); infrared LED 880 nm (C, G, H versions)

Specifications: Output
Output typeNC-NO, PNP or NPN (selectable by model); 100 mA max., short-circuit protected

Specifications: Mechanical
Housing materialABS housing, PMMA plastic lens
Weight10 g max. (connector version); 40 g max. (cable version)

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