Inductive and photoelectric sensors as well as rotary encoders for direct connection to AS-Interface are available in various designs. Sensors with the embedded AS-Interface chip offer significant advantages like self monitoring, improved diagnostics (for example failure warning) or the option of assigning parameters to the sensor (for example N.O. / N.C. mode of operation). Sensors built according to Specification V2.1 allow connecting up to 62 sensors per network.

Inductive AS-Interface sensors are available in various designs:

• Cylinder-shaped M12 and M30 sensors, flush and non-flush mountable
• VariKont L

This design offers installation without the need for additional tools. The four “corner cube” LEDs clearly show switching state and supply power from virtually any angle and direction.

• VariKont L

This design offers installation with no tools and has 4 LED displays positioned on the corners for switching status and operating voltage. The LEDs are clearly visible from all directions.

Due to the following advantages, many of today’s sensing applications are implemented using photoelectric sensors:

• Integrated diagnostic functions such as test inputs and pre-fault indication
• Long operating ranges achievable
• Different operating principles: Diffuse, Retro-Reflective and Through-Beam mode, including the possibility for background suppression

The RL28 series

... is a universally applicable photoelectric sensor family in IP67 with a large model selection. Standard functions like light-on/dark-on and sensitivity adjustment simplify solving even tough applications. LEDs are visible from nearly any angle and directions and offer power, weak signal and switching status indication, thus simplifying installation and operation.

The 28 series photoelectric sensors is ideally suited for positioning and monitoring applications and in situations where moving parts must be detected. Sensors of this family also offer a high ambient light resistance, automatic cross-talk protection and very low operating temperature (-400C.) Based on AS-Interface Specification 2.1, up to 62 of these photoelectric sensors can be used on a AS-Interface network.

Absolute rotary encoders are used in many positioning applications. The high-speed, multi-slave solution with 4 AS-Interface chips can update a 16-bit position values during a single network cycle and transmit the position value to the upper level network or PLC scanner card.