Details
Balluff photoelectric distance sensors
Optical distance sensors
Photoelectric distance sensors from Balluff support reliable positioning, material flow control, and level detection— across applications such as automotive, factory automation, logistics, and steel/construction environments. With precise distance measurement, you can increase productivity and reduce faults in a targeted manner.
Choose from semi-adjustable measurement ranges from 20 mm to 20 m, including variants with or without background suppression. Balluff optical distance sensors operate using triangulation or time-of-flight (TOF) technology with red light or laser. Housings are available in durable plastic or metal, with protection ratings up to IP65/67 and IP69K for harsh environments.
What special features are available for Balluff photoelectric distance sensors?
Balluff distance sensors combine robust design with flexible outputs and intuitive setup for fast commissioning and stable measurement.
The special features of our distance sensors
- Ideal for distance measurements and distance monitoring for short, medium, and long ranges
- Additional switching outputs with adjustable switchpoints available for almost all products
- Teach-in directly on the sensor via teach-in input or button
- Optional IO-Link interface for easy parameterization and additional functions
Technology & ruggedness options
- Triangulation or time-of-flight (TOF) principles
- Red light or laser light types
- Plastic or metal housings
- Protection ratings up to IP65/67 and IP69K (washdown-capable variants)
- Analog current/voltage plus digital serial or IO-Link interfaces (depending on series)
Which series are available (and how do I compare them)?
Below is a practical overview of Balluff photoelectric distance sensor series, including maximum range, light type, connection, interface, and optical principle.
| Series | Range max. | Light type | Connection | Interface | Optical principle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S-BOD 21M
Metal housing • Laser red light • Glass sensing surface
|
500 mm | Laser red light | Connector M12x1 |
IO-Link, analog V, analog mA, PNP/NPN | Triangulation |
| S-BOD 23K
Plastic housing • Laser red light • Washdown variant
|
5000 mm | Laser red light | Connector M12x1 |
IO-Link, analog V, analog mA, PNP/NPN/Auto-Detect | Time-of-flight |
| S-BOD 24K
Plastic housing • Laser red light • Glass sensing surface
|
650 mm | Laser red light | Connector M12x1 |
Analog V / analog mA selectable, IO-Link, PNP/NPN | Triangulation |
| S-BOD 26K
Plastic housing • Laser red light • PMMA sensing surface
|
300 mm | Laser red light | Cable or connector M12x1 |
Analog V, analog mA, RS485, PNP | Triangulation |
| S-BOD 37M
Metal housing • Laser red light • PMMA sensing surface
|
20000 mm | Laser red light | Connector M12x1 |
PNP/NPN/push-pull, analog V, analog mA, RS485 | Time-of-flight |
| S-BOD 66M
Metal housing • Multiple light variants
|
2000 mm | Laser red light, LED, red light | Connector M12x1 |
Analog V, analog mA, PNP/NPN | Triangulation |
| S-BOD 6K
Narrow design • Plastic housing • Washdown variant
|
1500 mm | Laser red light, LED, red light | Cable or connector M8x1 |
IO-Link device, analog V, PNP/NPN/Auto-Detect, PNP | Triangulation / TOF |
Selection guidance: start with range and optical principle, then confirm light type, interface (analog/IO-Link/serial), and housing/IP rating for your environment.
Where are photoelectric distance sensors used?
Photoelectric distance sensors are used wherever reliable, non-contact distance measurement improves quality, speed, and availability—especially for positioning, monitoring, and level tasks.
Typical applications
- Positioning and distance monitoring in factory automation
- Material flow control and object spacing in conveyors and intralogistics
- Level detection for bins, tanks, and process containers
- Use in automotive, logistics, and construction/steelwork environments
Why teams standardize on Balluff distance sensors
- Broad measurement range portfolio from 20 mm to 20 m
- Flexible outputs (analog V/mA, switching, serial, IO-Link)
- Fast commissioning via teach-in input or button
- Rugged options with IP65/67 and IP69K variants
FAQ: Balluff photoelectric distance sensors
Clear answers that help engineers and maintenance teams choose the right optical distance sensor configuration.
View more about Balluff Photoelectric Distance Sensors on main site
