Pepperl+Fuchs NCN100-F23-E2-V1 Square Inductive Proximity Sensor

Product: F23 Series Square Inductive Proximity Sensor | Item No.: 033499

✅ Model Code Definition

N: Inductive sensor

CN: Non-flush mounting

100: Rated sensing distance 100 mm

F23: Large square housing series

E2: 3-wire DC PNP normally open (NO)

V1: M12 4-pin connector

📋 Core Electrical Specifications

Metal Reduction Factors (Critical for Selection)

304 stainless steel: 1.0 (no reduction)

Brass: 0.47

Aluminum: 0.37

Copper: 0.35

The effective sensing distance will decrease significantly for aluminum/copper targets. Factor calculation is mandatory during selection.

🧱 Mechanical & Environmental Data

Housing: ABS plastic, aluminum base

Shape: Square large housing, fixed by mounting holes

Connection: M12×1 male 4-pin connector

1: BN Brown DC+

2: WH White

3: BU Blue DC-

4: BK Black Signal output

Operating temperature: -25 ~ +70 ℃

Storage temperature: -40 ~ +85 ℃

Certifications: cULus, CE

⚙️ Typical Applications

Long-range metal detection for:

Position limit of overhead cranes

Large material presence detection

Trolley positioning in warehousing logistics

Metal target detection for heavy machinery

Note: Switching frequency only 10Hz, not suitable for high-speed moving targets.

🛠️ Installation Guidelines

1. Non-flush mounting. Sensing face shall NOT be embedded in metal; sufficient metal clearance must be reserved around the sensing surface.
2. Stainless steel target plate is recommended. For aluminum/copper targets, use larger target size or reduce installation distance.
3. Power-up initialization delay up to 90ms. PLC program shall account for this to avoid false triggering at startup.
4. Use matched M12 connector. Shielded cable is recommended to reduce interference from frequency converters.

🔁 Replacement & Spare Parts

Same series: NCN100-F23-E0-V1 (NPN NO version)

Domestic replacement guideline: Square long-range inductive sensor, PNP NO, 100mm non-flush, M12 connector. Note: Reduction factors vary widely for domestic long-distance sensors, on-site testing required.

📌 Customs HS Code

85365019 (Other switching devices)

⚠️ Troubleshooting Checklist

1. Green LED off: No power supply or reversed polarity
2. Green LED on, yellow LED never triggers: Target too far / aluminum/copper target with heavy reduction / insufficient target area
3. Yellow LED flickering: Short circuit, overload or cable insulation damage
4. False triggering: Large nearby metal mass or electromagnetic interference (VFDs)

Typical Application Cases of Pepperl+Fuchs NCN100-F23-E2-V1

Core selection premise: 100mm ultra-long sensing distance, non-flush, PNP NO, switching frequency only 10Hz. Suitable for low-speed position limit / presence detection, not for high-speed counting. IP67 rated, -25~70℃, suitable for dusty, humid heavy-duty environments.

Case 1: End Limit for Bridge Crane / Overhead Crane Trolley (Most Common)

Industry: Metallurgy, steel warehouse, heavy-duty workshop cranes

Solution:

The sensor is mounted on the side of the crane rail. A stainless steel target plate is fitted at the end of the trolley. When the trolley approaches the rail end within the 81mm reliable operating distance, the sensor sends a PNP signal to PLC to trigger deceleration and emergency stop protection, preventing rail overtravel.

Advantages: Long sensing distance allows flexible installation space. M12 connector enables quick replacement under heavy vibration; IP67 withstands dust and cooling water splashes.

Notes:

1. Low trolley travel speed matches 10Hz switching frequency.
2. Stainless steel target plate preferred. For aluminum targets, calculate distance using reduction factor.
3. Keep large steel structures away from the sensing face to prevent false triggering.

Case 2: Horizontal Rough Positioning for AS/RS Stacker Cranes in Automated Warehouses

Industry: Intelligent warehousing, cold storage

Solution:

NCN100-F23-E2-V1 sensors are installed in segments along the stacker travel rail. When the stacker’s metal baffle passes the sensor, it provides a rough position presence signal, working together with encoders for position calibration.

Function: Confirm the stacker arrives at the storage location and trigger deceleration. Avoid failure of photoelectric sensors caused by dust and moisture.

Limitation: Only rough positioning, not high-precision positioning; provides digital presence signal only, no distance measurement.

Case 3: Station Presence Detection for Heavy-Duty AGVs

Industry: Factory heavy-load AGVs, mining material transfer vehicles

Solution:

Sensors are mounted at ground stations, and metal target blocks are fitted on AGV side panels. When AGV enters the station and the target enters sensing range, the sensor outputs a presence signal for PLC to lock wheels and start loading/unloading.

Advantages: Long sensing distance permits larger docking tolerance and lowers navigation accuracy requirements. Resists workshop dust and oil contamination, more stable than photoelectric sensors.

Restriction: Not for high-speed AGVs. 10Hz switching frequency may cause missed detection for fast-moving targets.

Case 4: Presence Detection for Heavy Transfer Trolleys in Steel & Cement Plants

Industry: Metallurgy, cement, sintering plants

Solution:

Sensors are mounted rail-side for sintering trolleys and steel billet transfer trolleys. The sensor detects when the trolley metal baffle arrives at unloading / loading station.

Operating conditions: High radiant heat, heavy dust and strong vibration. Sensor operating temperature -25~70℃ meets requirements. Large metal targets ensure stable detection.

Commissioning tip: Mass steel structures exist on site, metal clearance must be reserved to avoid constant false triggering by background metal.

Case 5: Position Monitoring for Large Hydraulic/Pneumatic Heavy-Duty Gates & Flaps

Industry: Wastewater treatment, mining silo gates

Solution:

One NCN100-F23-E2-V1 is fitted at fully-open and fully-closed positions of silo discharge gates respectively, to detect arrival of the metal actuator baffle. Position feedback is sent to PLC to confirm gate status and interlock upstream/downstream belt conveyors.

Features: Slow gate movement perfectly matches low switching frequency. Remote sensor installation keeps it away from sediment and material impact.

Case 6: Trolley Limit Protection for Gantry Cranes in Container & Steel Yards

Industry: Ports, steel logistics yards

Solution: Sensor used for travel limit protection of gantry crane trolley. Detects trolley approaching metal end stop to trigger pre-deceleration as secondary safety limit.

Remark: It is only a position switch, NOT a SIL safety rated sensor. Cannot be used as sole safety protection; mechanical limit switch is recommended as backup.

📌 General Application Notes (Applicable to All Cases)

1. Target material reduction: Stainless steel target factor =1.0; aluminum =0.37. Effective distance drops greatly for aluminum targets, must be calculated in selection.
2. Movement speed constraint: Max switching frequency 10Hz. Only for limit and presence confirmation; strictly prohibited for high-speed counting.
3. Installation: Non-flush mounting. Sensing face cannot be embedded into metal. Adequate metal clearance around sensor.
4. Power-up delay: Up to 90ms initialization time. PLC logic needs power-up delay to prevent false signals on startup.
5. Target plate size: Target area cannot be too small. Target must fully cover the sensor sensing face, otherwise unstable detection occurs.

🔎 Application Quick Selection Table

Working Principle of Inductive Proximity Sensors

Core Principle: Alternating Magnetic Field + Eddy Current Effect in Metal Conductors

Inductive proximity sensors detect metal objects only. Non-metals (plastic, wood, glass, rubber) cannot be sensed.

Internal Components

1. LC Oscillator Circuit (Coil + Capacitor): Generates high-frequency alternating electromagnetic field radiating outward from the sensing face after power-on.
2. Demodulation & Comparator Circuit: Monitors oscillation amplitude variation
3. Output Driver Circuit: Transistor output (NPN / PNP)
4. Power supply, indicator LEDs

Complete Operating Sequence

1. After sensor power-up, the LC circuit starts oscillation. The coil emits high-frequency alternating magnetic field.
2. No metal target present: Little energy loss in magnetic field, oscillation is maintained. Circuit judges no target, output stays in original state.
3. Metal target enters magnetic sensing zone: Alternating magnetic field penetrates metal surface and induces eddy current inside metal via electromagnetic induction.
4. Eddy current generates reverse magnetic field counteracting the original coil field → energy of oscillator circuit is consumed and oscillation amplitude attenuates.
5. The detection circuit detects amplitude drop below threshold, confirms metal presence and toggles transistor output (NO contact closes / NC contact opens), meanwhile the switching LED lights up.
6. Metal moves out of sensing zone: Eddy current disappears, magnetic field recovers and oscillation resumes, sensor output resets.

One-sentence summary: Coil generates alternating magnetic field; metal creates eddy current to consume magnetic energy; circuit identifies energy change and outputs switch signal.

Key Characteristics (Referencing NCN100-F23-E2-V1)

1. Sensing Distance & Material Reduction

Eddy current strength depends on metal conductivity and permeability:

Ferromagnetic metals (steel, stainless steel): Strong eddy current, long sensing distance (reduction factor≈1)

Aluminum, copper: Non-ferromagnetic, weaker eddy current, effective sensing distance greatly reduced (Al:0.37, Cu:0.35, matching previous parameters)

2. Flush / Non-Flush Mounting

Flush: Can be embedded into metal base; magnetic field concentrated on front face; shorter sensing range

Non-flush (NCN100 is this type): Cannot be embedded in metal; magnetic field diverges wider, longer sensing distance, but side metal may cause false triggering

3. Switching Frequency

Time is required for magnetic field build-up and eddy current decay, hence maximum response frequency. NCN100 only 10Hz, not for fast-moving workpieces.

4. Hysteresis

Trigger distance on approach is larger than reset distance on departure. Purpose: prevent signal chattering caused by mechanical vibration.

Simple Comparison vs Photoelectric Sensors

Inductive: Metal-only detection. Immune to dust, moisture and oil. Long-range models cost higher and subject to material reduction.

Photoelectric: Detects metal and non-metal. Prone to failure when lens contaminated by dust or water mist.

Supplement

⚠️ Inductive proximity sensors are NOT distance measuring sensors. They only provide a binary signal indicating whether metal enters the threshold distance, no numerical distance output.