Sensors & Encoders

Sensors are the closest the control system gets to physical reality. Inductive proximity sensors detect ferrous metal at a few mm range, ideal for end-of-stroke and shaft-rotation pickup. Capacitive sensors detect any material including non-metals. Photoelectric sensors (through-beam, retro-reflective, diffuse) cover longer ranges and can detect transparent or coloured objects with the right model. Pressure transmitters convert hydraulic or pneumatic pressure to a 4–20 mA or 0–10 V signal the PLC can read directly.

Encoders are the position-feedback workhorse — incremental encoders produce two quadrature pulse trains for direction-aware counting, while absolute encoders report a unique position word over SSI, BiSS, or EtherCAT. Single-turn devices give shaft position within one revolution; multi-turn devices accumulate revolutions across power cycles via either a battery-backed counter or a gear-and-Hall arrangement. Servo motors typically come with their feedback device pre-mounted, but stand-alone encoders are common on conveyors, machine-tool axes, and printing presses.

We stock proximity, photoelectric, position and pressure sensors plus encoders across the major brands. For replacement orders, the sensing distance, output type (NPN/PNP/relay/IO-Link/analog) and connector style are the make-or-break details — send those along with the original part number and we'll quote a like-for-like.