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Omron / Sentech E3Z-LS61 / E3Z-LS63 / E3Z-LS66 / E3Z-LS68 / E3Z-LS81 / E3Z-LS83 / E3Z-LS86 / E3Z-LS88 machine vision sensor
Omron / SentechPhotoelectric sensors
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Omron / Sentech E3Z-LS Series (Distance-Settable BGS/FGS Photoelectric Sensor)

E3Z-LS61

The E3Z-LS is a diffuse-reflective photoelectric sensor that uses adjustable background/foreground suppression to detect targets regardless of their color or size by setting a fixed sensing distance via a 5-turn adjuster. It uses a 680 nm red LED, has a maximum BGS setting range of 20 to 200 mm (white or black 100x100 mm paper) and a response time of 1 ms max for both operation and reset. Models with suffix 6x are NPN open-collector and 8x are PNP open-collector outputs (100 mA max load), with Light-ON/Dark-ON selectable; LS61/LS81/LS66/LS86 cover the 200 mm range while LS63/LS83/LS68/LS88 cover the 80 mm range. The sensor is rated IP67 with a PBT housing and polyarylate lens, operates from 12-24 VDC and -25 to 55 degrees C, and is available pre-wired (0.5 m / 2 m cable) or with an M8 connector.

Brand
Omron / Sentech
Sensor type
Photoelectric
Sensing method
Background suppression (BGS) / foreground suppression (FGS), distance-settable diffuse
Light source
Red LED: 680 nm (LS61/66/81/86, 200 mm models); 650 nm (LS63/68/83/88, 80 mm models)
Range / distance
BGS setting 20 to 200 mm (white/black paper); FGS 40-200 mm white, 40-160 mm black; 80 mm models (LS63/LS83/LS68/LS88)
Response time
1 ms max (operation or reset)
Output type
NPN open-collector (LS61/63/66/68) or PNP open-collector (LS81/83/86/88), 100 mA max
Communication
Discrete digital output (open-collector switching), no fieldbus
Supply voltage
12 to 24 VDC +/-10%, ripple (p-p) 10% max
Connection
Pre-wired (0.5 m / 2 m cable) or M8 connector
Housing material
Case: PBT (polybutylene terephthalate); Lens: polyarylate
Operating temperature
-25 to 55 degrees C (operating, no icing/condensation)
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Technical overview

The Omron E3Z-LS is a diffuse-reflective photoelectric sensor built around distance-settable background suppression (BGS) and foreground suppression (FGS), with a built-in amplifier in a compact PBT housing. Unlike a standard diffuse sensor that simply measures returned light intensity, BGS uses the angle of the reflected beam to fix a sensing threshold at a set distance: anything closer than the set point triggers, anything beyond it is ignored. That geometry is what lets this sensor detect targets largely independent of color or surface reflectivity, the headline benefit called out in its spec sheet, where the maximum BGS setting range is quoted as 20 to 200 mm against both white and black 100x100 mm paper. Distance is dialed in mechanically with a 5-turn adjuster, so the same part can be tuned to ignore a conveyor belt, a fixture, or a back wall while still reliably catching a part in the foreground.

For machine-vision and automation lines, this is a trigger and presence-detection device rather than a measurement instrument: it provides a discrete open-collector switching output (100 mA max load), with no fieldbus or analog signal, so it tells a PLC or vision controller that a part is present at a fixed position, not how far away it is. Two output polarities are stocked across the family, with the 6x suffix models (LS61/63/66/68) being NPN open-collector and the 8x suffix models (LS81/83/86/88) being PNP open-collector, and Light-ON / Dark-ON is selectable so the same sensor can signal either presence or clear. The 680 nm red LED source (650 nm on the 80 mm models) gives a visible spot that simplifies alignment during installation. With a 1 ms maximum response time for both operation and reset, it can gate fast-moving product on a conveyor and hand a clean edge to a camera's strobe and acquisition trigger.

Mechanically and electrically the E3Z-LS is built for the factory floor. It is rated IP67 to IEC 60529, runs on 12 to 24 VDC (plus/minus 10%, 10% max ripple), and operates from -25 to 55 degrees C, covering most enclosed packaging, logistics, and assembly environments though not washdown or high-pressure cleaning duty. The case is PBT with a polyarylate lens, and connection options span pre-wired 0.5 m or 2 m cable or an M8 connector, the latter dropping weight to roughly 20 g versus about 65 g for the 2 m pre-wired version. Within the family, model selection is primarily about range: LS61/LS81/LS66/LS86 cover the 200 mm setting range while LS63/LS83/LS68/LS88 cover the shorter 80 mm range, so the choice comes down to how far the background sits behind the part you need to catch.

Best for

  • Presence or position triggering on packaging and assembly lines, where the BGS set point reliably catches a part while ignoring the conveyor or fixture behind it
  • Detecting dark, glossy, or color-varying targets that confuse intensity-based diffuse sensors, thanks to color- and size-independent background suppression to 200 mm
  • Generating a clean 1 ms trigger edge to gate a vision camera's strobe and image acquisition as product passes a fixed point
  • Carton, tray, and parcel detection in logistics sortation, using the M8 connector variant for fast tool-less replacement
  • Edge or leading-feature detection for indexing and stop-position control in handling stations within the -25 to 55 degrees C operating window

Selection notes

  • Choose the range first: LS61/LS81/LS66/LS86 give the 20 to 200 mm BGS setting range, while LS63/LS83/LS68/LS88 are limited to the 80 mm range, so confirm the background sits beyond your needed set distance with margin.
  • Match output polarity to your input card: 6x models (LS61/63/66/68) are NPN open-collector and 8x models (LS81/83/86/88) are PNP open-collector, both 100 mA max load, and Light-ON/Dark-ON is selectable in the field.
  • This is a switching sensor with a discrete digital output only, no analog distance value or fieldbus, so use it as a trigger or go/no-go gate, not as a displacement or measurement sensor.
  • Decide connection and footprint up front: pre-wired 0.5 m or 2 m cable versus M8 connector, with the connector model far lighter (approx. 20 g vs approx. 65 g) and easier to service.
  • IP67 and a -25 to 55 degrees C range cover dusty and damp enclosed lines, but the PBT case and polyarylate lens are not specified for washdown or condensing/icing conditions, so plan placement accordingly.
  • Use the visible 680 nm (or 650 nm on 80 mm models) red spot and the 5-turn distance adjuster to commission the BGS threshold quickly, since BGS keys on beam angle rather than returned intensity.

Specifications: General
BrandOmron / Sentech
Sensor typePhotoelectric

Specifications: Performance
Range / distanceBGS setting 20 to 200 mm (white/black paper); FGS 40-200 mm white, 40-160 mm black; 80 mm models (LS63/LS83/LS68/LS88)
Response time1 ms max (operation or reset)

Specifications: Interface
CommunicationDiscrete digital output (open-collector switching), no fieldbus
ConnectionPre-wired (0.5 m / 2 m cable) or M8 connector

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

Specifications: Environment
Operating temperature-25 to 55 degrees C (operating, no icing/condensation)
IP ratingIEC 60529 IP67

Specifications: Sensing
Sensing methodBackground suppression (BGS) / foreground suppression (FGS), distance-settable diffuse
Light sourceRed LED: 680 nm (LS61/66/81/86, 200 mm models); 650 nm (LS63/68/83/88, 80 mm models)

Specifications: Output
Output typeNPN open-collector (LS61/63/66/68) or PNP open-collector (LS81/83/86/88), 100 mA max

Specifications: Mechanical
Housing materialCase: PBT (polybutylene terephthalate); Lens: polyarylate
WeightApprox. 65 g (pre-wired 2 m); approx. 20 g (connector model)

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