DX-15 / DX-30 Ultra-thin Photoelectric Switch
When the mounting gap is the real constraint: a flat-pack photoelectric switch that slides into rail channels and panel gaps, sees 1 mm objects, and answers in 0.5 ms.
- 150 mm (DX-15) / 300 mm (DX-30); family up to 800 mm
- Detects objects down to 1 mm
- 0.5 ms response for high-speed lines
- Front-sensing or 90° side-sensing (E) optics
- IP67 sealed, 12–24 VDC, NPN Light-ON / Dark-ON
Product Overview
The DX-15 / DX-30 series exists for one reason: most photoelectric switches are chosen by range and output, but on crowded machines the deciding spec is often how little space the sensor body needs. The DX family packs a self-contained amplifier into an ultra-thin housing that mounts inside guide-rail channels, between adjacent panels and in depth-limited mechanism bays.
Despite the thin profile, the sensing numbers are sharp: 1 mm minimum detectable object, 0.5 ms response and a 680 nm light source. Choose front-sensing models when the optical axis should face out of the housing front, or side-sensing (E) models whose axis turns 90° so the flat of the body lies along the rail. Output is NPN with A = Light-ON or B = Dark-ON logic, and matching emitter/receiver units (ET/T + ES/S) build a through-beam pair from the same family when a longer, reflectivity- independent axis is required.
The whole family runs on 12–24 VDC and is sealed to IP67 — unusual for this housing class, and the reason it survives oil mist and coolant splash inside machine tools.
Front-Sensing vs 90° Side-Sensing
Example order code: DX-30EBN = 300 mm range, side-sensing housing, Dark-ON, NPN.
Model Selection Table
| Group | Models | Sensing Distance | Output Logic (NPN) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front-sensing, 150 mm | DX-15AN / DX-15BN | 150 mm | A = Light-ON, B = Dark-ON |
| Front-sensing, 300 mm | DX-30AN / DX-30BN | 300 mm | A = Light-ON, B = Dark-ON |
| Side-sensing, 150 mm | DX-15EAN / DX-15EBN | 150 mm | A = Light-ON, B = Dark-ON |
| Side-sensing, 300 mm | DX-30EAN / DX-30EBN | 300 mm | Confirm DX-30EAN logic with factory* |
| Extended range | DX-50 (front) / DX-80 (side) | 500 mm / 800 mm | Contact factory |
| Through-beam pairing units | DX-15ET/30ET/15T/30T (emit) + DX-15ES/30ES/15S/30S (receive) | Per pairing | Paired emitter / receiver |
* The catalog print for DX-30EAN shows Dark-ON, which conflicts with the A-suffix convention — confirm the actual logic with the factory before ordering that model.
Technical Specifications
| Series | DX-15 / DX-30 / DX-50 / DX-80 (+ emitter/receiver units) |
|---|---|
| Housing | Ultra-thin, amplifier built in; front- or side-sensing optics |
| Sensing distance | DX-15: 150 mm; DX-30: 300 mm; DX-50: 500 mm; DX-80: 800 mm |
| Minimum detectable object | 1 mm |
| Response time | 0.5 ms |
| Light source | 680 nm |
| Output | NPN; A = Light-ON (NO), B = Dark-ON (NC) |
| Supply voltage | 12 – 24 VDC |
| Protection rating | IP67 |
| Operating temperature / cable spec | Contact factory |
General-purpose sensing component — not an IEC 61496-certified safety component; never use it alone for personnel protection.
Typical Applications
Narrow-Slot Retrofits
The ultra-thin body drops into guide-rail gaps and between packed panels where standard housings simply do not fit.
Electronics & Semiconductor Stations
1 mm minimum target catches pins, leads and thin substrate edges inside compact feeders and handlers.
High-Speed Sorting & Labeling
0.5 ms response keeps count integrity on fast-cycle pass detection of thin sheet products.
Coolant / Oil-Mist Stations
IP67 sealing tolerates oil mist, splash and temporary immersion at machining and washdown-adjacent stations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How thin is the DX-15/30, and when do I actually need an ultra-thin sensor?
The DX housing is a thin flat-pack design (see the dimensional drawing on this page — body sections in the 5 mm and 10 x 20 mm class). You need it when the mounting gap, not the sensing task, is the constraint: guide-rail channels, gaps between adjacent panels, and depth-limited mechanism bays where a standard rectangular photoelectric body cannot physically enter.
What ranges are available in the family?
DX-15 covers 150 mm and DX-30 covers 300 mm. The extended family adds DX-50 (500 mm, front-sensing) and DX-80 (800 mm, side-sensing). Matching emitter units (DX-15ET/30ET/15T/30T) and receiver units (DX-15ES/30ES/15S/30S) let you build a through-beam pair from the same family when you need a longer or more stable detection axis.
What does the E in DX-15EAN mean?
E marks the side-sensing (right-angle) housing: the optical axis exits at 90 degrees to the body, so the sensor lies flat along a rail or panel while looking sideways. Models without E are front-sensing, with the axis in line with the housing face.
How do A and B suffixes differ?
A = Light-ON (output on when light is received — normally-open behavior); B = Dark-ON (output on when the beam is blocked — normally-closed behavior). All standard models are NPN. One caution from the factory catalog: the printed logic for DX-30EAN conflicts with the naming convention, so confirm that specific model's output logic with the factory before ordering.
How small an object can it detect, and how fast?
The published minimum detectable object is 1 mm with a 0.5 ms response time — an order of magnitude finer and faster than typical general-purpose photoelectric switches, which is exactly what thin-edge and small-part detection on fast lines needs.
Is the DX series waterproof?
It carries an IP67 rating: dust-tight and protected against temporary immersion. That covers oil mist, coolant splash and wet in-machine stations. Operating temperature range and cable specification are not published on this page — confirm with the factory for extreme environments.
Can the DX-15/30 be used for operator guarding?
No. It is a general-purpose detection sensor, not an IEC 61496-certified safety component, and must not be used alone for personnel protection. For guarding use a certified safety light curtain such as the DQC series.
What about MOQ, lead time and OEM terms for export buyers?
Trial orders in small quantities are normally accepted, and we quote MOQ, lead time and packing per model at enquiry. As a factory in Foshan we support OEM projects — send your model list (e.g. DX-15AN x qty, DX-30EBN x qty) and destination for a same-week quotation.
Specs reviewed by Engineer Cai, Senior Application Engineer. See certificates.