What this sensor delivers on the line
The SICK WTB4S-3P1162V is a miniature photoelectric proximity sensor from the W4S-3 family, using background suppression to detect objects at a fixed distance up to 500 mm regardless of target color or reflectivity. That means it reliably sees a matte-black box at the same distance as a white one — no recalibration when product packaging changes. The PinPoint LED visible red light makes alignment visible to the naked eye, which speeds setup on a conveyor or pick-and-place station. Rated IP66, IP67, IP68, and IP69K, the housing and optics survive high-pressure washdown and temporary submersion — a fit for food-and-beverage lines or outdoor material handling where hosing down the sensor is part of the sanitation cycle.
The minimum sensing distance of 4 mm means it can detect objects close to the lens without a blind zone — useful for small-part detection on a vibratory feeder. PNP output (sourcing) at 100 mA load current drives standard PLC inputs directly. The 500 µs response time handles fast-moving targets on a packaging line running at several hundred parts per minute. Light/Dark ON switching via the teach-in gives flexibility to detect either the presence or absence of an object with the same mounting. Operates on 10–30 VDC over a -30 °C to +70 °C temperature range, so it works in refrigerated warehouses and near ovens without a separate temperature-rated enclosure.
Panel and machine integration
The 15.25 mm wide housing fits into tight machine frames or multi-sensor arrays on a conveyor rail. The 2 m integral cable terminates directly into a control cabinet or junction box — no separate connector to source or seal. For washdown zones, the IP69K-rated optics and cable entry eliminate the need for a secondary protective shroud.