1 m through-beam — what it means for the line
The Omron EE-SPW411 is a through-beam photoelectric sensor with a 1 m sensing distance, NPN open-collector output configured for Light-ON operation, and a 5 VDC supply. It uses an infrared 940 nm emitter and switches in 1 ms. The IP60 rating keeps dust out but offers no water protection — mount it inside a dry control cabinet, not on a washdown station. The adjustable sensitivity helps when the emitter and receiver are slightly misaligned on a conveyor frame.
EE-SPW411 vs EE-SPW311 — the output logic difference
The EE-SPW411 and EE-SPW311 are mechanically identical — same 1 m range, same 5 V supply, same connector, same IP60 enclosure. The difference is output logic: the EE-SPW411 is Light-ON (NPN conducts when the beam is unbroken), while the EE-SPW311 is Dark-ON (NPN conducts when the beam is blocked). Swapping one for the other without rewiring the PLC input inverts the detection logic. If the panel was wired for Dark-ON, the EE-SPW411 will need a logic inversion at the controller or a wiring change.
Temperature and environment limits
Rated for -10°C to 55°C operating temperature. That is narrower than many industrial sensors (the E3T series goes down to -25°C). Keep it in conditioned indoor spaces — unheated warehouses or freezer lines will push the low end. The IP60 enclosure means it is dust-tight but not sealed against hose-down or condensation.
Sourcing and lifecycle
The EE-SPW411 is listed as active in production. No end-of-life notice or successor is on record. For BOM planning, this part is still a standard catalog item.