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Cylindrical metal sensor, nickel-plated brass, M18 thread, 60.6 mm long, 2 m PVC cable

Sick

Sick VL18-4P3312 Photoelectric retro-reflective sensor PNP

SKU CH-BT3C-81CDW

A photoelectric retro-reflective sensor with PNP output and 2 m cable for object detection up to 3.7 m

  • Retro-reflective sensing up to 3.7 m range
  • Visible red LED spot Ø 150 mm at 3 m
  • Selectable light/dark switching via control cable
  • IP67 metal housing withstands –25 °C to +70 °C
  • 2 m PVC cable, 10–30 V DC supply

Sick VL18-4P3312 retro-reflective sensor

The Sick VL18-4P3312 is a cylindrical photoelectric retro-reflective sensor with an M18 x 1 thread and a 60.6 mm housing length. It emits visible red LED light along a radial optical axis and provides a PNP switching output with selectable light/dark switching via an L/D control cable. The unit suits automation tasks that require non-contact object detection within a 0.05 m to 3.7 m maximum sensing range.

Check supply voltage and cable routing

Verify that your control system delivers a stable 10 V DC to 30 V DC supply with ripple below 10 % and can accept a PNP output rated at 100 mA maximum. The sensor ships with a fixed 2 m, 4-wire PVC cable of 0.14 mm² cross-section and 5 mm diameter, so plan the cable path and termination accordingly. Ensure the mounting location accommodates the M18 thread and the 60.6 mm body length without mechanical interference.

IP67 housing and polarisation filter extend

The nickel-plated brass housing with PMMA optics meets IP67 enclosure rating, allowing operation in wet or dusty environments from –25 °C to +70 °C. A built-in polarisation filter helps suppress false triggers from shiny surfaces, while the 2.8° angle of dispersion produces a 150 mm light spot at 3 m distance. UL file NMFT2.E175606 confirms component recognition for North American installations.

How it compares

Measured against everything we stock in Electrical Trade Tools & Kits, at today’s prices. Recalculated every night.

Price $75.99
Cheaper than about 65% of the 5,006 comparable items (median $95.99).

Specifications

Product
Brand nameSICK
Model nameSICK VL18-4P3312

Questions about this item

Does the VL18-4P3312 sensor come with a reflector or mounting bracket, or do I need to buy those separately?

The unit ships with a 2 m PVC cable and a nickel-plated brass M18 housing. A corner-cube reflector and any mounting bracket are not included and must be sourced separately.

The specs list two sensing-range figures — 0.05 m … 3 m and 0.05 m … 3.7 m — which one should I design around?

Use the 0.05 m … 3 m value for reliable detection with standard reflectors; the 3.7 m figure is the absolute maximum under ideal conditions only.

What does the 250 Hz switching frequency mean when the sensor is controlling a PLC input on a conveyor line?

The sensor can change state up to 250 times per second with a 2 ms response time, fast enough to detect objects spaced a few millimetres apart at typical conveyor speeds.

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