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Omron / Sentech E3AS-F1500I machine vision sensor
Omron / SentechPhotoelectric sensors
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Omron / Sentech E3AS-F1500I

E3AS-F1500I

The Omron E3AS-F1500I is a distance-settable photoelectric sensor from the E3AS-F series that uses a Class 1 infrared laser diode and Time-of-Flight (background-suppression) measurement to detect targets from 50 mm up to 1500 mm regardless of object color or surface. It has a stainless-steel (or PBT, depending on variant) rectangular housing rated IP67/IP67G/IP69K for washdown environments, a 150 ms response time, and Teach-In distance setting. Outputs are switchable NPN or PNP (model-dependent) with selectable Light-ON/Dark-ON, plus IO-Link COM3 (230.4 kbps) communication. It runs on a 10-30 V DC supply and connects via an M8 4-pin connector.

Brand
Omron / Sentech
Sensor type
Photoelectric (distance-settable)
Sensing method
Time-of-Flight (background suppression)
Light source
ir_laser (Infrared laser diode, 940 nm, Laser Class 1)
Range / distance
50-1500 mm (max 1500 mm)
Response time
150 ms
Output type
NPN (PNP on -PT variants), Light-ON/Dark-ON selectable
Communication
IO-Link COM3 (230.4 kbps)
Supply voltage
10-30 V DC
Connection
Connector M8, 4-pin
Housing material
Stainless steel (PBT on -MT/-PT variants)
Dimensions
11.4 (W) x 38 (H) x 22 (D) mm
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Technical overview

The Omron E3AS-F1500I is a distance-settable photoelectric sensor that replaces conventional through-beam or diffuse triggering with Time-of-Flight (TOF) measurement. A 940 nm Class 1 infrared laser diode emits the beam and the sensor derives target distance from the round-trip travel time of the reflected light, which is what gives it background-suppression detection across the full 50-1500 mm window. The practical consequence for an installer is that detection is keyed to where the object is, not how bright or dark it reflects: the spec sheet calls out detection regardless of object color or surface, so black rubber, glossy film, and matte cardboard at the same teach distance all switch the output the same way. That removes the classic diffuse-sensor failure mode where a dark or angled target falls below threshold and the sensor misses it.

Setup is teach-based rather than potentiometer-based. You present the target (or the background you want to ignore) and use Teach-In to fix the switching distance, then the sensor holds that threshold electrically. Outputs are a switching transistor stage that is NPN or PNP depending on the model, with PNP called out on the -PT variants, plus selectable Light-ON / Dark-ON, so the same family can be wired as present-makes or present-breaks logic. Alongside the discrete output it carries IO-Link COM3 at 230.4 kbps, which is the more useful interface in a modern line: over IO-Link you read the live measured distance as a process value, push teach settings from the PLC, and pull diagnostics, so the sensor doubles as a coarse distance/measurement device rather than a pure on/off trigger. It runs on a standard 10-30 V DC supply and lands on a compact M8 4-pin connector, which keeps it compatible with typical sensor-bus and IO-Link master wiring.

The mechanical and timing envelope defines where this part fits. The housing is 11.4 (W) x 38 (H) x 22 (D) mm, a small rectangular flat-pack body, in stainless steel on the base model and PBT on the -MT/-PT variants, rated IP67 / IP67G / IP69K and specified from -20 to +55 C, which is an explicit washdown credential aimed at food and beverage and similar caustic-cleaning environments. The number to design around is the 150 ms response time: this is a deliberate, settling-type detection, not a high-speed edge sensor. It is well suited to confirming presence, fill level, stack height, or position on lines where dwell is hundreds of milliseconds or more, but it is not the part for catching fast-indexing small parts or high-rate flighted product where you need sub-millisecond response. For those you would pair a faster discrete trigger and reserve this sensor for the distance/measurement role it does uniquely well.

Best for

  • Color- and surface-independent presence detection on packaging and conveyor lines, where dark, glossy, or mixed targets defeat ordinary diffuse sensors but all trigger reliably from the same taught TOF distance
  • Washdown food and beverage applications that need the IP67 / IP67G / IP69K rating, stainless-steel housing (base model), and -20 to +55 C range to survive high-pressure caustic cleaning
  • Background-suppressed object detection at long stand-off, anywhere within the 50-1500 mm window, such as detecting product against a close-by guide rail, wall, or returning belt without false-triggering on the background
  • Coarse distance or position measurement over IO-Link COM3, reading the live measured-distance process value into a PLC for fill-level, stack-height, or part-position checks rather than a simple on/off result
  • Logistics and sortation point checks where teach-set distance thresholds confirm a tote or carton has reached a station, at line cadences comfortably slower than the 150 ms response time

Selection notes

  • Match the output and material variant to your install: the base part is NPN in a stainless-steel body, while PNP output is provided on the -PT variants and a PBT housing is used on the -MT/-PT variants. Confirm sinking vs. sourcing logic and the housing material your environment demands before ordering
  • Budget for the 150 ms response time. This is a settling distance sensor, not a fast edge trigger; verify your part dwell at the sensing point exceeds 150 ms, and use a separate high-speed sensor for fast-indexing or flighted product
  • Decide your interface up front. The discrete NPN/PNP output with Light-ON/Dark-ON gives a simple switch, but the IO-Link COM3 (230.4 kbps) path is what unlocks the measured-distance value, remote teach, and diagnostics; wiring to an IO-Link master changes what the sensor can do
  • Plan the M8 4-pin connection and 10-30 V DC supply into your cable and power layout; the 11.4 x 38 x 22 mm flat body mounts in tight spaces, but you must reserve clear optical line-of-sight across the 50-1500 mm range to the target
  • Set the teach distance against the actual background. Because TOF background suppression keys on distance, the reliability of detection depends on teaching the switching point correctly relative to where the ignored background sits within the 50-1500 mm span

Specifications: General
BrandOmron / Sentech
Sensor typePhotoelectric (distance-settable)

Specifications: Performance
Range / distance50-1500 mm (max 1500 mm)
Response time150 ms

Specifications: Interface
CommunicationIO-Link COM3 (230.4 kbps)
ConnectionConnector M8, 4-pin

Specifications: Electrical
Supply voltage10-30 V DC

Specifications: Environment
IP ratingIP67 / IP67G / IP69K
Operating temperature-20 to +55 C (ambient)

Specifications: Sensing
Sensing methodTime-of-Flight (background suppression)
Light sourceir_laser (Infrared laser diode, 940 nm, Laser Class 1)

Specifications: Output
Output typeNPN (PNP on -PT variants), Light-ON/Dark-ON selectable

Specifications: Mechanical
Housing materialStainless steel (PBT on -MT/-PT variants)
Dimensions11.4 (W) x 38 (H) x 22 (D) mm

Frequently asked questions

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