The Siemens 3RG7212-3EK42 is a SIMATIC PXO630 K80 thru-beam sensor receiver, built for a 50-meter sensing range in industrial presence detection. It runs on 10-36V DC, outputs NPN with light/dark-on programmable logic, and handles up to 200mA load. The M12 4-pole connector and IP67 enclosure make it suited for washdown or dusty environments.
The 50-meter range is the maximum clear-air distance between emitter and receiver; real-world reach drops with dust, fog, or misalignment. The 10-36V DC supply covers standard 24V control systems with headroom for voltage drop on long cable runs. NPN output with light/dark-on programmability means the same part can be set to switch on beam break (dark-on) or beam make (light-on), selected via the onboard programming. The built-in timer, adjustable 0.1 to 10 seconds, delays the output change — useful for ignoring brief interruptions like passing forklift tines. IP67 allows direct washdown but not submersion beyond 1 meter.