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Omron / Sentech E3C-LD11N / E3C-LR11N / E3C-LR12N / E3C-LR15N (heads); E3C-LDA_N / E3C-LDA5_N-IL3 (amplifiers) machine vision sensor
Omron / SentechLaser measurement sensors
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Omron / Sentech E3C-LDA_N Laser Photoelectric Sensor (Separate Amplifier)

E3C-LDA_N

The Omron E3C-LDA_N is a photoelectric sensor system that pairs interchangeable laser sensor heads with a separate digital amplifier unit. Heads use a visible 650 nm semiconductor laser (3 mW max; 1 mW max for E3C-LR12N) and cover diffuse-reflective detection up to 1,000 mm (E3C-LD11N) and coaxial retro-reflective detection up to 7 m (E3C-LR11N/LR12N, with MSR function), with selectable spot, line, or area beams via add-on Beam Units. The amplifier provides switchable Super-High-Speed (80 us), High-Speed (250 us), Standard (1 ms), and Giga (4 ms) detection modes with Smart Tuning, NPN or PNP open-collector outputs (100 mA max), and a dual 7-segment display. Powered at 12-24 VDC, heads carry IP40 protection while amplifiers mount on DIN track with optical inter-unit communication for up to 16 joined units.

Brand
Omron / Sentech
Sensor type
Photoelectric (laser-type) with separate digital amplifier
Sensing method
Diffuse-reflective (E3C-LD11N) and coaxial retro-reflective with MSR function (E3C-LR11N/LR12N)
Light source
Visible semiconductor laser, 650 nm, 3 mW max (1 mW max for E3C-LR12N)
Range / distance
Up to 1,000 mm diffuse (E3C-LD11N, Giga mode); up to 7 m retro-reflective (E3C-LR11N/LR12N)
Response time
80 us (Super-High-Speed); 250 us (High-Speed); 1 ms (Standard); 4 ms (Giga)
Output type
NPN or PNP open-collector (model dependent), 100 mA max
Communication
Optical inter-unit communication; IO-Link variant available (E3C-LDA5_N-IL3)
Resolution
Min. beam/spot diameter 0.8 mm (at up to 1,000 mm); 950 um typical at 1,000 mm
Supply voltage
12 to 24 VDC +/-10%, ripple (p-p) 10% max
Connection
Head: connector (2 m standard cable); Amplifier: pre-wired (2 m) or wire-saving connector (E3X-CN21/CN22)
Housing material
Head case/cover: ABS; front filter: methacrylic resin (glass on LR11N/LR12N). Amplifier case/cover: polycarbonate (PC)
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Technical overview

The Omron E3C-LDA_N is a laser-class photoelectric sensor system built around a separate-amplifier architecture: an interchangeable laser sensor head does the optics, while a separate digital amplifier handles the timing, thresholding, and output. The heads run a visible 650 nm semiconductor laser (3 mW max, 1 mW max on the E3C-LR12N), so the beam is a red spot you can see and aim by eye - a real advantage when you are positioning detection over a moving line or a small target. Two sensing principles are offered. The diffuse-reflective E3C-LD11N detects the target's own surface return out to 1,000 mm, which makes it a presence/edge trigger that needs no reflector behind the part. The coaxial retro-reflective E3C-LR11N/LR12N heads, equipped with the MSR function, reach out to 7 m, suited to long gaps, wide conveyors, or detecting shiny and specular parts that would confuse a plain retro sensor. With a minimum spot diameter of 0.8 mm (typ. ~950 um at 1,000 mm), this is a sensor you specify when the feature you are catching is small - a thin lead, a label edge, a small bottle neck - rather than a bulk object. Selectable spot, line, or area beams are available via add-on Beam Units.

The amplifier is where the application gets tuned. It offers four switchable detection modes - Super-High-Speed at 80 us, High-Speed at 250 us, Standard at 1 ms, and Giga at 4 ms - trading response time against stability and maximum range. The fast 80 us mode is for catching small, fast-moving features on a high-throughput line; Giga mode buys the longest diffuse range (the 1,000 mm figure is the Giga-mode number) and the most stable read on weak returns. Smart Tuning automates the threshold set so an installer can teach the sensor in place rather than hand-trimming a potentiometer. Output is NPN or PNP open-collector (model dependent), 100 mA max, so it wires straight into a PLC input or a vision system's trigger line as a clean switching signal - this is a discrete detect/trigger device, not an analog measurement transducer. A dual 7-segment display gives a live numeric readout and the threshold for quick verification at the panel.

Mechanically and electrically the system is designed to gang up in a control cabinet. Amplifiers measure roughly 83.4 x 32.1 x 10 mm and mount on DIN track, communicating optically between units so up to 16 can be joined side by side. Power is 12 to 24 VDC (+/-10%), and connection is via pre-wired 2 m cable or the E3X-CN21/CN22 wire-saving connector on the amplifier, with a 2 m connector cable on the head. Environmental ratings are modest and signal the intended use: IP40 protection means this is a clean-environment, in-cabinet-or-enclosed-machine sensor, not a washdown part. Head operating range is -10 to 55 C and the amplifier -25 to 55 C (derated to 45 C when 11-16 units are joined). Head cases are ABS with a methacrylic front filter (glass on the LR11N/LR12N for the laser window), amplifier housing is polycarbonate, and the head weighs ~85 g (100 g for the retro heads).

Best for

  • High-speed presence and edge detection of small features (thin leads, label edges, small-diameter parts) on electronics and packaging lines, using the 80 us Super-High-Speed mode and 0.8 mm minimum spot
  • Long-range part detection across wide conveyors or large gaps up to 7 m using the coaxial retro-reflective E3C-LR11N/LR12N heads
  • Diffuse presence/absence sensing up to 1,000 mm where no reflector can be placed behind the target, using the E3C-LD11N head in Giga mode
  • Triggering a machine-vision camera or PLC input via the 100 mA NPN/PNP open-collector switching output as parts pass a fixed point
  • Reliable detection of shiny or specular parts where the MSR function on the coaxial retro-reflective heads suppresses false reads

Selection notes

  • Choose the head by sensing principle and range: E3C-LD11N (diffuse) for up to 1,000 mm with no reflector, or E3C-LR11N/LR12N (coaxial retro-reflective, MSR) for up to 7 m - the heads are interchangeable on the same E3C-LDA_N amplifier.
  • Match detection mode to the task: 80 us / 250 us for small fast features, 1 ms Standard as a default, and 4 ms Giga for the longest diffuse range and most stable reads on weak returns. The 1,000 mm diffuse figure is the Giga-mode value, so faster modes will see shorter usable range.
  • This is a discrete switching device (NPN/PNP open-collector, 100 mA max), not an analog distance/measurement output - confirm your PLC or vision trigger input expects a sinking/sourcing switch and pick the matching output polarity model.
  • IP40 protection rules out washdown, dusty, or wet environments; plan to mount the head inside a guarded or enclosed area, and keep the amplifier in the cabinet. Head temperature range is -10 to 55 C versus -25 to 55 C for the amplifier.
  • If ganging multiple sensors, the amplifiers join on DIN track with optical inter-unit communication for up to 16 units, but derate the amplifier to 45 C max when running 11-16 joined units; for digital integration, specify the IO-Link E3C-LDA5_N-IL3 variant.

Specifications: General
BrandOmron / Sentech
Sensor typePhotoelectric (laser-type) with separate digital amplifier

Specifications: Performance
Range / distanceUp to 1,000 mm diffuse (E3C-LD11N, Giga mode); up to 7 m retro-reflective (E3C-LR11N/LR12N)
Response time80 us (Super-High-Speed); 250 us (High-Speed); 1 ms (Standard); 4 ms (Giga)
ResolutionMin. beam/spot diameter 0.8 mm (at up to 1,000 mm); 950 um typical at 1,000 mm

Specifications: Interface
CommunicationOptical inter-unit communication; IO-Link variant available (E3C-LDA5_N-IL3)
ConnectionHead: connector (2 m standard cable); Amplifier: pre-wired (2 m) or wire-saving connector (E3X-CN21/CN22)

Specifications: Electrical
Supply voltage12 to 24 VDC +/-10%, ripple (p-p) 10% max
Power consumption1080 W

Specifications: Environment
Operating temperatureHead operating: -10 to 55 C; Amplifier operating: -25 to 55 C (1-2 units), down to -25 to 45 C (11-16 units)
IP ratingIP40 (IEC 60529)

Specifications: Sensing
Sensing methodDiffuse-reflective (E3C-LD11N) and coaxial retro-reflective with MSR function (E3C-LR11N/LR12N)
Light sourceVisible semiconductor laser, 650 nm, 3 mW max (1 mW max for E3C-LR12N)

Specifications: Output
Output typeNPN or PNP open-collector (model dependent), 100 mA max

Specifications: Mechanical
Housing materialHead case/cover: ABS; front filter: methacrylic resin (glass on LR11N/LR12N). Amplifier case/cover: polycarbonate (PC)
DimensionsAmplifier body approx. 83.4 mm (L) x 32.1 mm (H) x 10 mm (W), DIN-track mount; head E3C-LD11N approx. 33 x 18.8 x 18 mm
WeightSensor head approx. 85 g (LD11N) / 100 g (LR11N/LR12N); pre-wired amplifier approx. 75 g (sensor only)

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