The DS50-P1112 is a SICK Dx50-series optical distance sensor that uses a red laser to measure range from 200 mm out to 10 m. It's built for applications where you need a non-contact distance reading — think conveyor positioning, crane-trolley location, or level monitoring in a bin — and it reports that distance through two PNP outputs. If your application cycles faster than 100 Hz, you'll want a faster sensor.
You can't mount it flush with the target and expect a reading. Plan for at least 200 mm of standoff. The red laser light source gives a visible spot, which makes alignment easier than with an infrared sensor. You'll see exactly where the beam hits. That's a real time-saver during commissioning on a conveyor line. Operating temperature range is -30 to 140 °C. That 140 °C top end is unusual for a photoelectric sensor — most cap out around 60 or 70 °C. This sensor can sit near a hot bearing housing or a drying oven and keep working. Out here in the grease, that's the kind of margin that keeps a line running.
That's fine for a dry indoor environment or a washdown area where you don't submerge the sensor. If you need submersion or high-pressure spray, look for IP67 or IP69K.
The housing is 36 mm wide, 63 mm tall, and 58 mm deep — a standard rectangular body that fits most mounting brackets. Termination is a male M12 5-pin connector, so you'll need a mating cordset. The 2 x PNP output means both outputs switch positive; verify your PLC input card sinks or sources accordingly. Operating voltage is 10 to 30 VDC, which covers the common 24 VDC control voltage. No special power supply needed — just a standard 24 VDC bus.