An Upgrade for the Little Ones

New M8 capacitive sensors from IPF

IPF’s M8 x1 capacitive sensors have been upgraded, and their latest version stands out primarily for its significantly longer switching distances.

In the future, all new M8 devices will be available in a standard housing length of 49 mm (42 mm, 54 mm, and 60 mm). As a result, the capacitive sensors with cable connections (KB080500 —flush-mounted, KN080500 — non-flush mounting) as well as the sensors with plug connections (KB080570 – flush-mounted, KN080570 – non-flush mounting) share the same design, which also affects the thread length (identical for devices with cable or plug connections).

Of particular note are the greater switching distances compared to previously available devices. For example, the flush-mountable versions (KB080500, KB080570) now have a nominal switching distance of 3 mm, which is twice as large as that of their predecessors. The nominal switching distance of the non-flush-mountable sensors (KN080500, KN080570) has been increased from 3 mm to 4 mm. This opens up new application possibilities for these capacitive sensors, since, for example, in level monitoring, the pipe or tank walls—made of materials such as glass, plastic, or fiberglass-reinforced plastic—provided that the medium inside the container exhibits better response behavior compared to the wall. Contamination compensation can also be significantly improved due to the higher switching distances by reducing the sensor’s response sensitivity.

In addition, the switching outputs of the new capacitive sensors are now designed as push-pull stages. When connected to a PNP control unit, they function as normally open (NO) contacts; when connected to an NPN control unit, they function as normally closed (nc) contacts.