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Omron / Sentech E3NC-LH01 / E3NC-LH02 / E3NC-LH03 (E3NC-L heads); E3NC-SH100 / E3NC-SH250 / E3NC-SH250H (E3NC-S CMOS heads) machine vision sensor
Omron / SentechLaser measurement sensors
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Omron / Sentech E3NC Smart Laser Sensor Heads (E3NC-L / E3NC-S)

E3NC-LH01

The E3NC-L family comprises a limited-reflective fixed-spot head (E3NC-LH01, 70±15 mm), a diffuse-reflective variable-spot head (E3NC-LH02, up to 1.2 m) and a coaxial retro-reflective head with MSR function (E3NC-LH03, up to 8 m), all using a visible 660 nm semiconductor laser diode rated Class 1 (JIS/IEC/EN/FDA/GB-T). The E3NC-S family uses HSDR-CMOS laser triangulation in distance-settable spot heads: E3NC-SH100 (35-100 mm) and E3NC-SH250/SH250H (35-250 mm), also 660 nm Class 1. Both head families connect only to dedicated DIN-rail amplifier units (E3NC-LA / E3NC-SA, 10-30 VDC) providing NPN or PNP open-collector outputs, current output, and IO-Link connectivity; response times reach 80 us (E3NC-L) and 1.5 ms (E3NC-S). Sensor heads are IP67-rated with PBT cases and PMMA lenses; operating temperature is -10 to 55 C (E3NC-L) / -10 to 50 C (E3NC-S).

Brand
Omron / Sentech
Sensor type
Distance / displacement laser measurement sensor head
Sensing method
E3NC-S: CMOS laser triangulation (distance-settable); E3NC-L: retro-reflective (LH03 coaxial w/ MSR) / diffuse-reflective (LH02) / limited-reflective (LH01)
Light source
Visible semiconductor red laser diode, 660 nm, Class 1 (JIS, IEC/EN, FDA, GB/T)
Range / distance
E3NC-LH03 up to 8 m; LH02 up to 1.2 m; LH01 70±15 mm; E3NC-SH250/SH250H 35-250 mm; SH100 35-100 mm
Response time
E3NC-L: 80 us (SHS) / 250 us (HS) / 1 ms (Std) / 16 ms (Giga); E3NC-S: 1.5 ms (SHS) / 5 ms (HS) / 10 ms (Std) / 50 ms (Giga)
Output type
NPN or PNP open-collector (2 outputs + 1 input), plus 4-20 mA current output; selected by amplifier model
Communication
IO-Link supported (via amplifier / E3NC-LA0/SA0 + E3NW communications unit); also discrete I/O
Supply voltage
10 to 30 VDC, including 10% ripple (p-p) (supplied to amplifier unit)
Connection
Sensor head: pre-wired connector, standard cable length 2 m (5 m option on E3NC-L); amplifier available pre-wired, wire-saving connector or M8 connector
Housing material
Sensor head case: PBT; lens: PMMA (methacrylic resin); cable: PVC
Weight
Sensor head: approx. 120 g packed / 70 g head only (E3NC-LH03, 2 m cable); E3NC-SH heads approx. 125 g / 75 g
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Technical overview

The Omron E3NC-LH01 is a smart laser sensor head from the E3NC-L family, and it occupies a deliberately narrow niche: a limited-reflective, fixed-spot head specified for a 70 +/-15 mm sensing window. Unlike its siblings in the range (the diffuse-reflective LH02 reaching 1.2 m and the coaxial retro-reflective LH03 reaching 8 m), the LH01 is built around a fixed working distance, which makes it predictable to mount and align in a fixed-geometry station. The light source is a visible 660 nm semiconductor red laser diode rated Class 1 under JIS, IEC/EN, FDA and GB/T, so the projected spot is human-visible for setup yet eye-safe to deploy without enclosure interlocks or shrouds. Because the spot is red and visible, alignment to a target feature can be done by eye, which shortens commissioning on a fixed station.

Architecturally, the head carries only the optics; all signal processing, output and teaching live in a separate DIN-rail amplifier. The LH01 connects exclusively to the E3NC-LA amplifier unit, which is powered from 10 to 30 VDC (including 10% p-p ripple) and provides the electrical interface to the machine: two NPN or PNP open-collector outputs plus one input, a 4-20 mA current output, and IO-Link via the E3NC-LA0 amplifier with an E3NW communications unit. NPN versus PNP polarity is fixed by the amplifier model you order, not switchable on the head. Response time is set on the amplifier across four modes for the E3NC-L family: 80 us (SHS), 250 us (HS), 1 ms (Std) and 16 ms (Giga), so the same head can be tuned from a very fast presence/edge trigger down to a heavily averaged, noise-immune mode depending on the surface and speed of the target. That 80 us floor is what makes this head usable as a high-speed trigger or presence check on a moving line rather than only a static gauge.

The mechanical and environmental spec defines where it can physically live. The head case is PBT with a PMMA (methacrylic) lens and a PVC cable, it carries an IEC IP67 rating, and it weighs roughly 120 g packed / 70 g for the head alone with a 2 m pre-wired cable (a 5 m cable option exists on the E3NC-L heads). Operating temperature is -10 to 55 C with storage from -25 to 70 C, no icing or condensation. The amplifier itself is only IP50, so the wash-down-capable IP67 head can sit at the process while the amplifier stays in a cleaner cabinet on the DIN rail. The practical reading: the LH01 is a fixed-distance, eye-safe, fast-responding reflective laser head for short-range detection and limited-reflective discrimination at around 70 mm, configured and read out entirely through its dedicated E3NC-LA amplifier.

Best for

  • Fixed-distance presence/absence detection of small parts or features at roughly 70 mm, where the limited-reflective optics suppress background beyond the 70 +/-15 mm window
  • High-speed edge or leading-edge triggering on a moving conveyor or indexed line, exploiting the 80 us (SHS) response mode set on the E3NC-LA amplifier
  • Detecting low-contrast or specular targets at short range where a visible 660 nm Class 1 spot must be aligned by eye without an enclosure
  • Generating a discrete trigger to a vision system or PLC via the NPN/PNP open-collector outputs, or a proportional 4-20 mA signal from the amplifier
  • IP67 wash-down or splash-exposed stations (electronics, automotive, packaging, food/beverage, logistics) where the head sits at the process and the IP50 amplifier stays in the cabinet

Selection notes

  • Confirm the target sits inside the fixed 70 +/-15 mm window: the LH01 is a fixed-spot, limited-reflective head, not a variable-distance gauge. If you need longer range choose the diffuse LH02 (up to 1.2 m) or coaxial retro-reflective LH03 (up to 8 m); for true distance/displacement measurement use the E3NC-S CMOS-triangulation heads (SH100 35-100 mm, SH250/SH250H 35-250 mm).
  • The head is inert without an amplifier: budget and specify a dedicated E3NC-LA amplifier (10-30 VDC). Choose NPN vs PNP at the amplifier-model level since output polarity is set there, not on the head.
  • Pick the response mode against your line speed and surface: 80 us SHS for fast triggering, stepping up to 250 us / 1 ms / 16 ms Giga for progressively more averaging and noise immunity on difficult or unstable reflective surfaces.
  • Account for the split IP rating: the head is IP67 (PBT case, PMMA lens, PVC cable) but the amplifier is only IP50, so the amplifier must be mounted in a protected enclosure or clean cabinet on DIN rail.
  • Verify cabling and connectivity up front: the head ships pre-wired with a standard 2 m cable (5 m optional on E3NC-L). For IO-Link you need the E3NC-LA0 amplifier plus an E3NW communications unit; otherwise plan for discrete I/O (2 outputs + 1 input) and/or the 4-20 mA current output. Keep within the -10 to 55 C operating range, no condensation.

Specifications: General
BrandOmron / Sentech
Sensor typeDistance / displacement laser measurement sensor head

Specifications: Performance
Range / distanceE3NC-LH03 up to 8 m; LH02 up to 1.2 m; LH01 70±15 mm; E3NC-SH250/SH250H 35-250 mm; SH100 35-100 mm
Response timeE3NC-L: 80 us (SHS) / 250 us (HS) / 1 ms (Std) / 16 ms (Giga); E3NC-S: 1.5 ms (SHS) / 5 ms (HS) / 10 ms (Std) / 50 ms (Giga)

Specifications: Interface
CommunicationIO-Link supported (via amplifier / E3NC-LA0/SA0 + E3NW communications unit); also discrete I/O
ConnectionSensor head: pre-wired connector, standard cable length 2 m (5 m option on E3NC-L); amplifier available pre-wired, wire-saving connector or M8 connector

Specifications: Electrical
Supply voltage10 to 30 VDC, including 10% ripple (p-p) (supplied to amplifier unit)
Power consumption1560 W

Specifications: Environment
Operating temperatureOperating: -10 to 55 °C (E3NC-L) / -10 to 50 °C (E3NC-S); storage -25 to 70 °C (no icing/condensation)
IP ratingSensor heads IEC IP67 (E3NC-LH02 IP65 with adjuster locked); amplifier units IP50

Specifications: Sensing
Sensing methodE3NC-S: CMOS laser triangulation (distance-settable); E3NC-L: retro-reflective (LH03 coaxial w/ MSR) / diffuse-reflective (LH02) / limited-reflective (LH01)
Light sourceVisible semiconductor red laser diode, 660 nm, Class 1 (JIS, IEC/EN, FDA, GB/T)

Specifications: Output
Output typeNPN or PNP open-collector (2 outputs + 1 input), plus 4-20 mA current output; selected by amplifier model

Specifications: Mechanical
Housing materialSensor head case: PBT; lens: PMMA (methacrylic resin); cable: PVC
WeightSensor head: approx. 120 g packed / 70 g head only (E3NC-LH03, 2 m cable); E3NC-SH heads approx. 125 g / 75 g

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