OMRON E3FA-RN11 Retro-Reflective Photoelectric Sensor

(Standard suffix: 2M, 2-meter pre-wired cable)

Type: M18 Cylindrical Retro-Reflective Photoelectric Sensor with MSR Mirror Surface Reflection Suppression & Polarized Red Light

MSR Function: Eliminates false triggering caused by mirror reflection from shiny metal workpieces.

✅ Core Specifications

Sensing Distance: 100 mm ~ 4,000 mm (0.1–4 m); Requires reflector E39-R1S (sold separately)

Light Source: Polarized red LED, wavelength 624 nm

Output: NPN, single output

Power Supply: DC 10–30 V (UL rating: 10–26.4 V)

Response Time: 0.5 ms

Operation Mode: Light-ON / Dark-ON switchable; one-turn potentiometer for sensitivity adjustment + mode selection

Wiring Style: 2 m pre-wired cable (E3FA-RN21 = M12 connector version)

Protection Class: IP67 / IP69K, resistant to high-pressure hot water washing (widely used in food production lines)

Housing: ABS plastic; M18 mounting thread, 2 lock nuts included

Ambient Temperature: Operating -25 ~ +55 ℃; Storage -40 ~ +70 ℃ (no icing or condensation)

Ambient Light Immunity: Max. 3,000 lx incandescent light; Max. 10,000 lx sunlight

📌 Wiring Pinout (Brown / Blue / Black)

Brown: DC+

Blue: DC 0 V

Black: NPN signal output

📋 Model Number Decoding

E3FA: Axial straight light emission, M18 photoelectric sensor series

R: Retro-reflective type

N: NPN output

11: Pre-wired cable type (11=NPN; 12=PNP; 21=M12 connector NPN)

🛠️ Typical Applications

Conveyor line part detection, packaging machinery, in-position detection, metal part inspection, food washing lines, warehouse sorting.

Not suitable for transparent objects (select BN series for transparent material detection).

⚠️ Cross-Model & Alternative Selection

E3FA-RN12: Same specs, PNP output, 2 m cable

E3FA-RN21: Same parameters, M12 4-pin connector, no long cable

E3FB-RN11: Brass threaded housing, higher IP rating, resistant to cutting fluid

Application Scenarios of E3FA-RN11 (Polarized Retro-Reflective with MSR, M18, NPN, 0.1–4 m)

Key Advantages Summary

Polarized red light + MSR anti-mirror reflection; IP67/IP69K washdown resistant; longer sensing range than standard diffuse sensors; wiring only on one side, reflector E39-R1S installed on the opposite side.

Limitation: For opaque objects only. Not applicable to transparent films, glass bottles or clear PET containers.

1. Material Handling & Sorting Conveyors (Most Common Use)

Presence detection, part counting, and in-position monitoring for cartons, tote bins and pallets

Blocking & occupancy detection on roller, belt and chain conveyors

Sorting chute detection: verify carton arrival and missing-part alarm

Pallet & skid detection (4 m long range ideal for wide aisles)

2. Packaging Machinery

Product passing detection & counting on vertical form-fill-seal machines and horizontal flow wrappers

Carton position triggering for case sealers & strapping machines

Workpiece positioning for gift box & carton packaging lines

3. Food & Beverage Production Lines (IP69K Washdown Compliant)

Conveyor detection for cans, opaque plastic bottles and food trays

Post-wash & post-cook conveyor sections, resistant to splashing and high-pressure rinsing

Position confirmation & no-product alarm for meat & pastry packaging lines

Note: Do not use RN11 for transparent PET bottles or clear films; choose dedicated transparent-detection BN series instead.

4. Metalworking, Sheet Metal, Stamping & Machining Lines (Core MSR Application)

Detection of sheet metal, aluminum & stainless steel parts (MSR suppresses mirror reflection to avoid false signals)

Blank presence & positioning confirmation for stamping blanking and robot loading/unloading

Part-in-place verification for connector assembly

Full E3FA Series Model List

(I) Retro-Reflective Type (R) with MSR Anti-Reflection

1) Long Range: 0.1–4 m (with E39-R1S)

Pre-wired (2M cable)

NPN: E3FA-RN11 2M

PNP: E3FA-RP11 2M

M12 Connector

NPN: E3FA-RN21

PNP: E3FA-RP21

2) Coaxial Short Range: 0–500 mm (with E39-R1S)

Pre-wired (2M cable)

NPN: E3FA-RN12 2M

PNP: E3FA-RP12 2M

M12 Connector

NPN: E3FA-RN22

PNP: E3FA-RP22

(II) Through-Beam Type (T) (Transmitter + Receiver Set)

1) Long Distance: 20 m

Pre-wired set: E3FA-TN11 2M / E3FA-TP11 2M

Separate units: Emitter E3FA-TN11-L 2M; Receiver E3FA-TN11-D 2M

M12 connector set: E3FA-TN21 / E3FA-TP21

Separate units: Emitter (-L); Receiver (-D)

2) Mdium Distance: 15 m

Pre-wired set: E3FA-TN12 2M / E3FA-TP12 2M

M12 connector set: E3FA-TN22 / E3FA-TP22

(III) Diffuse-Reflective Type (D) – 6 Distance Variants

(IV) BGS Background Suppression Type (L) (Immune to background color interference)

100 mm: LN11 2M / LP11 2M; Connector LN21 / LP21

200 mm: LN12 2M / LP12 2M; Connector LN22 / LP22

(V) Limited-Distance Reflective Type (V) (Detect near objects only, block far background)

10–50 mm: VN11 2M / VP11 2M; Connector VN21 / VP21

(VI) Transparent Object Detection Type (B) (Glass & PET bottles, with E39-RP1)

1) Short Range: 100–500 mm

Cable: BN11 2M / BP11 2M

Connector: BN21 / BP21

2) Medium Range: 0.1–2 m

Cable: BN12 2M / BP12 2M

Connector: BN22 / BP22

III. Alternative Models for E3FA-RN11 (R Series Only)

1. Same output & wiring: E3FA-RN11 2M (original model)
2. Switch to PNP output: E3FA-RP11 2M
3. Switch to M12 plug: E3FA-RN21
4. Short-range coaxial version: E3FA-RN12 2M / RN22
5. Oil-resistant metal housing (same function): E3FB-RN11 2M
6. Compatible Reflector List

R Retro-Reflective (RN11 / RN12): E39-R1S

B Transparent Detection (BN11 / BN12): E39-RP1