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  4. Knowledge Bases for Industrial Sensors
  5. Knowledge Base for Capacitive Sensors
  6. Sensor Versions
  7. Connection Methods

Connection Methods

Capacitive sensors can be electrically integrated into systems in various ways. The various versions of sensors with fixed cables with or without plugs or with connector plugs are available as standard in various designs.


Terminal Compartment

Sensors of this type have a designated area in the sensor housing for electrically interconnecting the sensor to the plant. The terminal compartment allows users to freely select the connection cable. This is of particular benefit in applications involving UV resistance or resistance to chemical agents. In addition, users are not tied to fixed cable lengths, and the terminal compartment offers increased tamper protection compared to versions with connectors.

Pepperl+Fuchs capacitive sensors with terminal compartments may contain the type designation "KK" in the second position of the type code.

Fixed Cable with or without Connector

Sensors of this type have a fixed cable that can be preassembled or a fixed cable with a typical connector for industrial automation. Sensors with fixed cable are affordable options, since they do not require an additional single-ended female cordset and keep the number of connection points to a minimum. Connection to special connectors is possible depending on the application requirement (e.g., automotive industry).

Sensors with fixed cables and a connector have information on the cable length and the type of connector included at the end of their type code, e.g.: CBN10-F46-E2-0,1M-V1, CBN10-F64-E2-0,3M-V1, etc.

Electrical Versions and Typical Switching Examples

The following table provides an overview of common capacitive sensors with regard to the electrical version, sensor type, switching examples, and typical data.


Basic Series 10 V … 30 V, 100 mA
Standard series 10 V … 60 V, 200 mA
Sensor type· 3-wire · E/E0, E1, E2, E3, E5, E8
· Short-circuit proof
· Reverse polarity protection
Wiring diagram according to EN 60947-5-2NC contact and NO contact

Example: NO contact E/E0
Basic circuit diagram
Typical data· Voltage drop 2.5 V · Residual current 0.3 mA (usually only a few µA)
· Operating current, 0 mA ... 200 mA
· No-load current 20 mA
Sensor type· 4-wire · A, A2
· Short-circuit proof
· Reverse polarity protection
Wiring diagram according to EN 60947-5-2NC contact and NO contact

Example: NC contact and NO contact A2
Typical data· Voltage drop 2.5 V · Residual current 0.3 mA (usually only a few µA)
· Operating current, 0 mA ... 200 mA
· No-load current 20 mA

Alternating-Current Voltage, 20 V ... 250 V
Sensor typeWS, WÖ, W, W4
Wiring diagram according to EN 60947-5-2NC contact and NO contact

Example: NC contact WÖ/UÖ
Typical data
  • Voltage drop "ON": 6 V
  • Residual current 1 mA
  • Operating current, 5 mA ... 500 mA

Direct Current Voltage, 8 V DC
Sensor type
  • NAMUR, N, 1N, SN, S1N
  • EN 60947-5-6
Wiring diagram according to EN 60947-5-2NC contact or NO contact

Example: NC contact N/N0 or SN
Typical data
  • Rated voltage 8 V
  • Output current:
    < 1 mA actuated
    > 3 mA unactuated

Sensor Types: Wire Colors and Plug Assignment According to EN 60947-5-2

Below you find an overview of the pin assignment and wire colors of the capacitive sensors.

The pinout numbers correspond to the numbering of the pins on the connector plugs. This does not apply to proximity sensors for AC and those with three-pin 8 mm plugs.

Switches without protective insulation require a protective conductor terminal for voltages above 50 V AC and 120 V DC.

3 DC Connections—Observe Polarity
FunctionNO contact
Connection/wire colors+ | - | output
Brown (BN) | Blue (BU) | Black (BK)
Pinout1 | 3 | 4
V1 connector plug

FunctionNC contact
Connection/wire colors+ | - | output
Brown (BN) | Blue (BU) | Black (BK)
Pinout1 | 3 | 2
V1 connector plug
V3 connector plug

4 DC Connections—Observe Polarity
FunctionChange-over contact (open/close)
Connection/wire colors+ | - | NO contact output | NC contact output
Brown (BN) | Blue (BU) | Black (BK) | White (WH)
Pinout1 | 3 | 4 | 2
V1 connector plug

2 DC and NAMUR Connections—Observe Polarity
FunctionNO contact and NC contact
Connection/wire colorsChannel 1+ | Channel 1- | Channel 2+ | Channel 2- | Valve + | Valve -
Brown (BN) | Blue (BU) | White (WH) | Black (BK) | Red (RD) | Yellow (YE)
Pinout1 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 6
V1 connector plug

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