5 mm slot — what it catches and what it misses
The EE-SX673R is a through-beam slot sensor with a 5 mm maximum sensing distance — the emitter and receiver sit in the same housing, so alignment is fixed and repeatable. It detects opaque objects as small as 2 mm x 0.8 mm, which means it can register component leads, label edges, or small part presence in a pick-and-place nest. Response time is 0.17 msec, translating to a 3 kHz switching frequency — fast enough for high-speed counting on a conveyor or timing a rotary indexer. The PNP output (sourcing, 50 mA max load) mates directly with most PLC input modules without a pull-up resistor.
Supply voltage and output logic flexibility
Runs on 5-24V DC — the wide range means it works on a 24 V industrial bus or a 5 V logic rail without a separate regulator. The output is selectable Light On or Dark On via a switch, so one part number covers both N.O. and N.C. logic needs in the BOM. Output short-circuit protection is built in — if the load wiring faults to ground, the sensor shuts down rather than burning the output transistor. That saves a trip to the panel for a swap.
Mounting and environmental fit
The body is PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), which resists oils and solvents common on a factory floor. IP50 rating means it is for indoor dry locations — no washdown, no dust-laden air. The close-mounting style (13 mm wide, 28 mm deep) fits into tight spaces on a pick head or a small transfer station. Termination is solder terminals — no connector, so the wiring is permanent once soldered. Plan for a service loop if the sensor might need replacement.