O6S300 - Photoelectric barrier IFM - Free user manual and instructions
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USER MANUAL O6S300 IFM
Info card
Photoelectric sensors

1 Intended use

This info card is to complement the data sheets.
Further information and contact addresses at www.ifm.com.
Proximity switches are used for the non-contact detection of positions, levels and point levels in industrial applications. The application must remain within the limits specified in the technical data sheet.
While in use the products are exposed to influences which may have an effect on function, life, quality and reliability of the product. Environmental influences exceeding the limits specified in the technical data sheet may impair the function of the device. This applies in particular to applications in hazardous areas and with adverse environmental influence such as pressure, chemicals, temperature fluctuations, moisture and radiation as well as mechanical stress, especially if the products are not installed properly.
It is the customer's responsibility to ensure that the products are suitable for the intended application. Using the products in applications where the safety of people depends on the function of the product is not permitted. If these instructions are not adhered to, death or severe injury may occur.
Unless otherwise specified in the data sheet, the products are designed for operation at altitudes up to 2,000 m above sea level.

Products with protection class II must be regularly checked for damage.
▶ In case of damage, disconnect the device from the power supply and replace it.
For USA and Canada: This product is specified for the direct control of a production process in a dedicated building or factory (industrial area).
1.1 Cybersecurity
Installation
The device is suitable for operation in a secure environment according to IEC 62443-1-1.
The device was designed for operation behind a firewall.
- ▶ Carry out a risk assessment of the system according to IEC 62443-1-1.
▶ Take measures to ensure physical security.
Operation
▶ Observe the security functions described in the product documentation and the recommendations for their use.
Maintenance
- ▶ Back up system configuration and system data in accordance with your company's change management processes.
Decommissioning
▶ Ensure that no sensitive information can fall into unauthorised hands.
▶ Always reset the system settings to the factory settings before decommissioning the device.
2 Function
| Operating principle of a photoelectric sensor | ||
| Through-beam sensor | The transmitter (1) and the receiver (2) are in separate housings. The objects are detected by interruption of the light beam. | ![]() |
| Retro-reflective sensor | The transmitter and receiver are integrated in one housing (3). The light beam is reflected by a reflector (4). The objects are detected by interruption of the light beam. | ![]() |
| Diffuse reflection sensor | The transmitter and receiver are integrated in one housing (3). The light beam is reflected by objects (5). The objects are detected by reflection of the light beam based on the energetic, the triangulation or the time-of-flight principle. Energetic principle The operating distance depends on the energy of the reflected light. The degree to which light is reflected from an object depends on its surface:bright objects -> good reflection -> long operating distancedark objects -> poor reflection -> short operating distance | ![]() |
| Diffuse reflection sensor with background suppression (BGS) | Triangulation principle Evaluates the position where reflected light falls as the distance to an object changes. The range is largely independent of the energy of the reflected light. | |
| Distance sensor with background suppression (BGS) | Time-of-flight (ToF) principle The time of flight to the object is measured. This is proportional to the range. The range is largely independent of the energy of the reflected light. This sensor technology is particularly robust with reflective surfaces. The majority of sensors in this class provide “absolute measurements” (measuring distance is output via IO-Link, for example). | |
1: Transmitter
2: Receiver
3: Transmitter and receiver
4: Reflector
5: Object
3 Installation
3.1 Minimum distances when installing identical devices
Sensors can influence each other when they are installed side by side or on opposite sides. The following installation instructions must be observed:
Through-beam sensor

Retro-reflective sensor

1:Transmitter
2:Receiver
1:Reflector
2: Transmitter and receiver
3:Object
Diffuse sensors

1: Transmitter and receiver
2:Object
Photoelectric sensors with red or infrared light emit a cone-shaped light beam. Depending on the application there are other possible solutions.
3.2 Distance between object and background
Object-background characteristic curve
This characteristic curve is used to determine the minimum distance between object and background.
Example: OGH200 sensor with background suppression, grey object / characteristic curve 2, white background
Object (b) must be detected at a distance of 200 mm from the sensor. The red line intersects the x-axis at 200 mm and the y-axis at approx. 8 mm.
This means that either the background (c) must be at least 8 mm behind the object (b), or the object must be 208 mm away from the sensor (a).

x: Distance sensor / object [mm]
y: Min. distance object / background [mm]
a: Sensor
b: Object
c: Background

1: Black object (6% remission), background x: Distance sensor / object [mm] (white – 90% remission)
2: Grey object (18% remission), background y: Min. distance object / background [mm] (white – 90% remission)
3: White object (90% remission), background (white – 90% remission)
3.3 Installation instructions for prismatic reflectors
When installing the reflectors, the existing orientation markings (arrow, marking) should be observed.
3.4 Installation instructions for diffuse reflection sensors with background suppression
For diffuse reflection sensors based on the time-of-flight principle (ToF), the effective background suppression range is finite. The range is specified in the data sheet.
It is recommended that the light beam is terminated within the effective background suppression range, rather than radiating “infinitely” far.
4 Electrical connection

The device must be connected by a qualified electrician.
▶ Observe the national and international regulations for the installation of electrical equipment.
▶ Geräte mit Schutzklasse III ausschließlich nach SELV / PELV mit Spannung versorgen.
▶ Disconnect power.
▶ Gerät nach Angaben auf dem Datenblatt/Typenschild anschließen.
4.1 Connection systems
2-wire technology

3-wire technology

4-wire technology

1: Miniature fuse according to data sheet, if specified. Check the safe functioning of the device after a short circuit.
2: Negative switching
3: Positive switching
4.2 Configuration of cables and connectors
Standard configuration for three-wire devices DC
| Cable 1 | Terminal chamber | US-100 connector 1 | ||
| L+ | BN | 1 / 3 | PIN 1 / BN | |
| L- | BU | 2 / 4 | PIN 3 / BU | |
| Output | Normally closed Normally open | BK | x | PIN 2 / WHPIN 4 / BK |
1 BK: schwarz, BN: braun, BU: blau, WH: White
Pin configuration for US-100 connectors
| View of the connector on the device | Pin | US-100 connector1 |
| 1 | BN | |
| 2 | WH | |
| 3 | BU | |
| 4 | BK |
1 BK: schwarz, BN: braun, BU: blau, WH: White

Cable and connector configuration as well as device data of special device versions ➕ Data sheet.
4.3 Parallel connection (Or)
The current consumption of all non-switched devices adds up. The devices can be used in combination with mechanical switches.
Parallel connection 3-wire

4: Device 1
5: Device x
5 Glossary
| Term | Explanation |
| Active zone | Area in which the device reacts to the approach of the target. |
| Output function | Light-on mode (light on):The switching output of the sensor switches on as soon as light is detected at the receiver of the sensor. E.g.:The switching output of a diffuse reflection sensor switches on as soon as an object is in the sensing range. The factory setting for programmable diffuse reflection sensors and devices with background suppression is light-on mode. |
| Dark-on mode (dark on):The switching output of the sensor switches off as soon as light is detected at the receiver of the sensor. E.g.:The switching output of a retro-reflective sensor switches on as soon as the light beam between the prismatic reflector and the sensor is interrupted by an object. The factory setting for programmable through-beam and retro-reflective sensors is dark-on mode. | |
| Switch-off delay | Time delay between the target leaving the active zone of the device and the switching of the output stage, determined using a mechanical measurement method. |
| Rated frequency of the supply network | 50 Hz, 60 Hz or direct voltage |
| Rated insulation voltage | AC and DC devices with protection class II: 250 V ACDC devices with protection class III: 60 V DC |
| Rated short-circuit current | For short-circuit-proof devices: 100 A. For AC devices without short-circuit protection: Required fuse ➞ Data sheet. |
A parallel connection of 2-wire devices is not possible.
| Term | Explanation |
| Rated impulse withstand voltage | AC devices depending on UB: 140 V AC = 2.5 kV or 250 V AC = 4 kV (△ overvoltage category III). DC devices with protection class II: 4 kV (△ overvoltage category III). DC devices with protection class III: 60 V DC: 0.8 kV (△ overvoltage category II). |
| Power-on delay time | The time the device needs to be ready for operation after application of the operating voltage. |
| Operating voltage▶ Start-up behaviour | Voltage range in which the device operates reliably. A stabilised and smoothed direct voltage should be used. Once the operating voltage has reached its minimum value for the first time, the final operating voltage should be reached within one second at the latest. Start-up should be continuous and monotonic. |
| Switch-on delay | Time delay between the target entering the active zone of the device and the switching of the output stage, determined using a mechanical measurement method. |
| Recommended direction of approach | The objects to be detected should move laterally into the active zone. The distance between the sensing face and the object should be approximately equal to half the operating distance. |
| Sensing range | Retro-reflective sensor / through-beam system RangeThe range defines the distance between the sensor and the specified prismatic reflector, or between the transmitter and the corresponding receiver at which the proximity sensor can be used. E.g.:50...5,000 mm; E20005 Diffuse reflection sensor & background suppressor RangeThe range defines the distance between the sensor and the object (90 %, 18 %, 6 % remission) at which the proximity sensor can be used. E.g.:white 90 % = 15-300grey 18 % = 15-290black 6 % = 15-190 Measuring / setting range The measuring/setting range describes the range in which measurements can be taken and switch points can be set. E.g.:0.2...10 m; white paper 200 x 200 mm, 90 % remission |
| Excess gain | Ratio between the received amount of light and the light amount required for switching. |
| Utilisation category | AC devices: AC-140 (control of small electromagnetic loads with holding currents < 200 mA). DC devices: DC-13 (control of solenoids). |
| Background suppression | Diffuse reflection sensors with background suppression limit the operating distance to an adjustable, geometrically defined region. This makes it possible to suppress interfering elements (e.g. a conveyor belt, machine parts) that are located behind the object. Objects within the sensing range are detected regardless of their reflection properties. |
| Hysteresis | Difference between switch-on and switch-off point. |
| Short-circuit protection | Pulsed short-circuit for short-circuit-proof devices. If applicable, observe the fuse specifications given in the datasheet. In devices with pulsed short-circuit, the short-circuit protection may activate in the case of incandescent lamps, electronic relays, capacitive loads or low-resistance loads. |
| No-load current | Current consumption without load current for the internal supply of 3-wire devices. |
| Minimum operating current Minimum load current | Smallest operating current required for maintaining conductivity of the switching element in 2-wire devices. |
| Polarisation filter | A polarisation filter is a filter that allows light waves from a certain plane to pass through while absorbing light waves from another plane. |
| Product standard | Proximity switches: IEC 60947-5-2 |
| Leakage current | Current for the internal supply of 2-wire devices, also flows through the load when the output is blocked. |
| Switching frequency | The switching frequency f is defined by the following equation: f = 1 / (ton + toff) ton is the switch-on delay and toff is the switch-off delay. |
| Protection rating | IPxy according to IEC 60529IP68 test condition: 1 m water depth for 7 daysIPx9K according to ISO 20653 |
| Voltage drop | Voltage at the output switching element in the conductive state. |
| Reflective objects | With reflective objects or reflective backgrounds, it may be useful to align the sensor at an angle of approx. 5° - 10° to the object. |
| Standard target | Object with standardised dimensions and materials that causes a change in the switching state when moved into the active zone. |
| Radiation power | Classification of the radiation power:Laser classes according to EN60825-1:2014-05LED devices according to DIN EN62471:2009, risk group 0 |
| Transport and storage temperature Ambient temperature | The transport and storage temperature corresponds to the ambient temperature specified in the data sheet.► With cable devices, do not move the cable below -25 °C. |
| Pollution degree | The products are designed for pollution degree 3 according to IEC 60947-1. |
| Term | Explanation |
| Maintenance, repair and disposal | When used correctly and in accordance with the intended use, no further maintenance and repair measures are necessary. ➕ 1▶ After use dispose of the device in an environmentally friendly way in accordance with the applicable national regulations. |
| Repeatability | Unless otherwise specified in the data sheet, the difference between any two measurements within the measuring range must not exceed 10 %. |


