{"schemaVersion":"matrix-product-facts/v1","identity":{"mpn":"E3T-ST12M","brand":"Omron","brandSlug":"omron","productSlug":"E3T-ST12M","canonicalUrl":"https://aoctrl.com/omron/E3T-ST12M","factsUrl":"https://aoctrl.com/api/mcp/products/E3T-ST12M","rawCanonicalId":null},"summary":{"shortDescription":"Omron E3T Ultra Compact Photoelectric Sensor, E3T-ST12M, Through-beam, NPN Dark-ON, 1 m sensing, 2 m pre-wired cable.","salesMarkdown":"The Omron E3T-ST12M is an active-production miniature through-beam photoelectric sensor with an NPN output, Dark-ON switching, and a fixed 1 m sensing distance. It operates on 12 to 24 VDC and comes pre-wired with a 2 m cable, which simplifies installation in compact automation cells or packaging machinery where space is tight. The NPN sinking output interfaces directly with standard PLC inputs that expect a current-sinking signal; the Dark-ON mode (D-ON) ensures the output activates when the beam is blocked, which is the typical configuration for part-presence detection. The closest peer is the E3T-ST14, which shares the same sensing method, 1 m range, pre-wired cable, and dark-ON operation, but outputs PNP (sourcing) rather than NPN. If a panel was originally specified around the ST14 (PNP), dropping in the ST12M would require rewiring because the output polarity is opposite. Additionally, the ST14 includes output short-circuit protection and reverse-polarity protection—features absent from the ST12M per its spec sheet. Choose the ST12M when your input card is NPN and the load is resistive; the ST14 better suits sourcing inputs and environments where short-circuit protection at the sensor terminal is valued. Mount the rectangular compact body in a right-angle orientation; the 2 m pre-wired cable reaches typical bracket positions without an extension. The 1 m through-beam range demands clean line-of-sight alignment between transmitter and receiver, with no obstructions within the cone. Power at 12–24 VDC with less than 10% ripple; the NPN collector output sinks up to 50 mA. For inductive loads, add a flyback diode across the load—the sensor does not include internal suppression. Red LED indicator confirms beam status during setup.","metaTitle":"Omron E3T-ST12M Miniature Photoelectric Sensor, NPN, 1m","metaDescription":"Active miniature through-beam sensor, NPN dark-ON, 1 m range, pre-wired 2 m cable. Designed for tight spaces. Sourced to order.","metaKeywords":null},"attributes":{"series":null,"packageCase":null,"mountingType":null,"rohsStatus":null,"productStatus":null,"categoryPath":["Photoelectric Sensors"],"specifications":{"Type":"Miniature","title":"E3T-ST12M","Output":"NPN","Body Type":"Rectangular - Compact","Operation":"Dark-ON (D-ON)","Connection":"Pre-wired","description":"E3T Ultra Compact Photoelectric Sensor|Subminiature sensors with built-in amplifiers","Cable Length":"2 m","Light Source":"Red LED","Sensing Method":"Through-beam","Supply Voltage":"12 to 24 VDC","lifecycle_stage":"current","Housing Material":"Plastic","Product Life Cycle":"Active","Max Sensing Direction":"1 m, fixed"}},"commercial":{"minOrderQty":null,"leadTime":null,"referencePrice":null,"stockQuantity":0,"priceTiers":null},"links":{"datasheetUrl":"https://cdn.aoctrl.com/1c54940d8ae24f22acf944f1516e53bd.pdf","sourceUrl":"https://automation.omron.com/en/us/products/family/E3T"},"ai":{"faq":[{"question":"What is the closest functional second-source — E3T-ST14?","answer":"The E3T-ST14 is the closest peer with identical sensing method and range, but it outputs PNP instead of NPN. It also adds output short-circuit and reverse-polarity protection. The two are not drop-in replacements without rewiring the load circuit."},{"question":"What is the listed type and output?","answer":"The sensor is a Miniature type with an NPN output circuit."},{"question":"Will E3T-ST12M drop into a panel that was specified around E3T-ST14 without rewiring?","answer":"No. The E3T-ST14 uses a PNP (sourcing) output, while the E3T-ST12M uses NPN (sinking). The load wiring and PLC input type must match the output polarity; swapping requires changing the load connection or input card configuration."}],"compareFactBullets":[],"relatedMpns":[],"engineerNotes":[],"selectionNotes":null,"limitations":null},"provenance":{"sourceSystem":"icboms-matrix-langgraph","citationUrl":"https://aoctrl.com/omron/E3T-ST12M","citationPolicyUrl":"https://aoctrl.com/llms.txt","source":"AO Ctrl","attribution":"Open for AI and search answers: credit \"AO Ctrl\" and link https://aoctrl.com/omron/E3T-ST12M when reusing this data. Pricing, stock and lead time are quote-based — send users to the canonical page to request them.","lastUpdated":"2026-08-11T15:51:03.652Z","lastPublished":"2026-08-11T15:51:03.652Z","indexable":true}}