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Omron / Sentech E3AS-L80 machine vision sensor
Omron / SentechPhotoelectric sensors
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Omron / Sentech E3AS-L80 Distance-Settable Photoelectric Sensor

E3AS-L80

The Omron E3AS-L80 (ordering variants E3AS-L80MN NPN and E3AS-L80MT PNP/IO-Link) is a distance-settable photoelectric sensor from the E3AS-L series that uses triangulation-based background suppression for stable detection of low-reflectivity workpieces independent of color. It emits a 650 nm red LED with a 4 mm spot diameter at 80 mm, offers a settable distance from 20 to 80 mm (detecting from 10 mm to the set distance), and responds in 1 ms max. The sensor runs on 10–30 VDC, draws 35 mA max, provides NPN or PNP outputs (100 mA max) or IO-Link COM3, and is housed in a SUS316L stainless-steel body rated IP67/IP67G/IP69K for washdown environments. Distance is set by teaching or over IO-Link (Ver. 1.1), with operating temperature -20 to 55°C.

Brand
Omron / Sentech
Sensor type
Photoelectric (distance-settable)
Sensing method
Background suppression (triangulation)
Light source
Red LED (650 nm)
Range / distance
20 to 80 mm settable (detects from 10 mm to set distance)
Response time
1 ms max. (operate or reset)
Output type
PNP (E3AS-L80MT) or NPN (E3AS-L80MN); 100 mA max.
Communication
IO-Link Ver. 1.1, COM3 (230.4 kbps)
Supply voltage
10 to 30 VDC (incl. 10% ripple p-p), Class 2
Connection
M8 4-pin connector (also pre-wired 2 m or M12 Smartclick variants)
Housing material
Stainless steel SUS316L
Dimensions
11.4 (W) x 37.9 (H) x 22 (D) mm (M8 connector type)
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Technical overview

The Omron E3AS-L80 is a distance-settable photoelectric sensor that works on the background-suppression (BGS) principle, using optical triangulation rather than simple light-return intensity. A 650 nm red LED projects a 4 mm spot at 80 mm, and the receiver judges the angle at which the reflected spot lands to infer distance. The practical consequence for an installer is that detection is keyed to where an object is, not how bright or what color it is: low-reflectivity and dark workpieces that would defeat a diffuse-reflective sensor are detected stably independent of color, and shiny backgrounds beyond the set distance are suppressed. You teach a switching distance anywhere from 20 to 80 mm, and the sensor then registers anything from roughly 10 mm out to that set point, giving you a defined detection window instead of an open-ended beam.

As a trigger or presence device this sensor is fast and tight. Response time is 1 ms max for both operate and reset, so it can gate a camera, reject actuator, or PLC input on a moving line without adding meaningful latency, and the 4 mm spot keeps the sensed footprint small enough to pick out edges, gaps, and small features rather than averaging over a wide area. Electrically it runs on 10 to 30 VDC (Class 2), draws only 35 mA max, and switches up to 100 mA on its output, so it drives a PLC input or small load directly. You choose polarity by part number: E3AS-L80MN is NPN, E3AS-L80MT is PNP. The MT variant also speaks IO-Link Ver. 1.1 at COM3 (230.4 kbps), which turns it from a binary switch into a device you can configure and monitor: the set distance can be written over IO-Link instead of taught by hand, and parameters survive sensor swaps when the master reapplies them.

The mechanical and environmental package is built for harsh, wet duty rather than a dry cabinet. The body is SUS316L stainless steel and is rated IP67, IP67G and IP69K, the combination that matters for food and beverage washdown where high-pressure, high-temperature cleaning is routine. It is compact (11.4 x 37.9 x 22 mm in the M8 connector form, approximately 30 g) and operates from -20 to 55 C (storage -40 to 70 C). Connection is an M8 4-pin connector by default, with pre-wired 2 m cable and M12 Smartclick variants available, so it drops into existing field wiring. Treat this as a rugged, hygienic point sensor for presence, edge, and coarse position detection where color independence and washdown survivability matter more than absolute measurement precision.

Best for

  • Detecting dark, glossy, or low-reflectivity workpieces on a line where a standard diffuse sensor would miss them, because triangulation keys on distance not return brightness
  • Presence and edge detection in food and beverage washdown zones, where the SUS316L body and IP67/IP67G/IP69K rating survive high-pressure caustic cleaning
  • Triggering a camera, reject gate, or PLC input on fast-moving packaging and sortation lines, using the 1 ms response and 4 mm spot for tight, repeatable timing
  • Suppressing a reflective or moving background (conveyor belt, machine frame) beyond the taught 20-80 mm set distance so only the intended object switches the output
  • IO-Link-managed installations where set distance and parameters are written and restored centrally (E3AS-L80MT, COM3) for fast sensor replacement and recipe changes

Selection notes

  • Pick polarity by part number up front: E3AS-L80MN is NPN, E3AS-L80MT is PNP and adds IO-Link Ver. 1.1 (COM3). Only the MT variant gives you over-network distance setting and diagnostics; the MN is teach-only binary switching
  • This is a detection device with a settable switching distance (20 to 80 mm, sensing from about 10 mm to the set point), not a continuous displacement sensor. If you need an analog distance value rather than a switch point, this output model (PNP/NPN 100 mA, or IO-Link process data) will not provide a measurement reading
  • Confirm the connector form matches your harness: default is M8 4-pin, with pre-wired 2 m cable or M12 Smartclick offered. The body dimensions (11.4 x 37.9 x 22 mm) are quoted for the M8 type, so allow for cable or M12 length when fitting tight mounts
  • Verify supply and load budget: 10 to 30 VDC Class 2 supply, 35 mA max consumption, 100 mA max switching output. Drive only loads within 100 mA directly, and use an interposing relay or PLC card for anything larger
  • Check the thermal and hygiene envelope against your washdown cycle: operating -20 to 55 C, storage -40 to 70 C, no icing or condensation. IP69K covers high-temperature high-pressure spray, but standing condensation or sub-zero icing is outside the rated condition

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

Specifications: Performance
Range / distance20 to 80 mm settable (detects from 10 mm to set distance)
Response time1 ms max. (operate or reset)

Specifications: Interface
CommunicationIO-Link Ver. 1.1, COM3 (230.4 kbps)
ConnectionM8 4-pin connector (also pre-wired 2 m or M12 Smartclick variants)

Specifications: Electrical
Supply voltage10 to 30 VDC (incl. 10% ripple p-p), Class 2

Specifications: Environment
Operating temperatureOperating -20 to 55°C (storage -40 to 70°C), no icing/condensation
IP ratingIP67 / IP67G / IP69K

Specifications: Sensing
Sensing methodBackground suppression (triangulation)
Light sourceRed LED (650 nm)

Specifications: Output
Output typePNP (E3AS-L80MT) or NPN (E3AS-L80MN); 100 mA max.

Specifications: Mechanical
Housing materialStainless steel SUS316L
Dimensions11.4 (W) x 37.9 (H) x 22 (D) mm (M8 connector type)
WeightApprox. 30 g (sensor only, M8 connector, metal case)

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