A light conductor can consist of a bundle of fibre optics or one resp. multiple plastic fibres. Its function is to conduct the light from one place to another - also through curvatures. This is realised because of the phenomenon of total internal reflection. Total internal reflection always occurs when light that comes from a material with higher refractive index strikes a medium with lower refractive index in a way that the critical angle of the total internal reflection is exceeded. The fibres consist of a core (with higher refractive index) and a coat(with lover refractive index). Because of this, the light inside the core is reflected permanently from one side to another because of total internal reflection and can follow curvatures, too.
Pulsotronic offers a wide range of optical sensors where sender and receiver are situated in one housing. These sensors are called light sensors. The adjustment to a measuring object is not critical but much shorter than for one-way light barriers.
Imaging of the light source's lightening surface on a level that is situated vertically to the optical axis.
The function "light switching" means that the concerning output is interconnected (conducts electricity) when light strikes the receiver which complies with the NO function. If a photo electric device is adjusted to the function "light switching", the switching output is active when light strikes the receiver (for example a relay). This is valid for one way light barriers and reflective light barriers with free light path and for light sensors only if there is any target object available. When the light receiver is illuminated in light switching status, it stands for an interconnection of the amplifier and an attraction of the output relay. If the light path is interrupted, the relay drops out.
The maximum possible range of an optical or ultrasonic system without functional reserve is called limit range. The determined value is a pure laboratory test result.
Linearity is the characteristic of a system to react to the change of one parameter with the proportional change of another one. For sensors, this linearity is given especially for devices with analogue output. Deviations of the perfect linearity can occur in dependence to temperature or switching and are called linearity errors.
The information about resolution, temperature drift and reproducibility specify the linearity error.
The allowed total capacity at the output of a proximity switch (including line capacity) is called load capacity.
see also: Rated Operating Current Ie
By analysing the choosen operating voltage Ub and the specified maximum output current of the proximity switch, the smallest load resistance that is permissible for a proper operation can be calculated. At a voltage of 24V and a maximum output current of 200 mA, the smallest load resistance is 120 Ohm; at 15V it is 75 Ohm.
The transformation of invisible light (UV) into visible light by the use of fluorescent materials is called photoluminescence. These materials are used in applications with invisible markings. Luminescence sensors detect and evaluate these markings by the help of ultraviolet light.