H Series M3-M6 Micro Diffuse Photoelectric Switch
When the mounting hole is M3 and the target is 150 mm away, ordinary sensors are out of the game. The H series puts photoelectric reach into a proximity-switch footprint — light enough for a gripper fingertip.
- M3 / M4 / M5 / M6 stainless threaded barrels
- Adjustable ranges from 5-30 mm up to 20-200 mm
- 32 models: NPN/PNP x NO/NC on every range band
- 940 nm invisible IR — no ambient-light false trips
- IP65, 10-30 VDC, single-hole two-nut mounting
Designed Around the Space You Don't Have
Gripper jaws, fixture walls, feeder rails and 3C equipment enclosures share one constraint: there is a threaded hole, and nothing else. The H series (H03/H04/H05/H06) accepts that constraint — a stainless-steel barrel from M3 x 0.5 up to M6, mounted through a single drilled hole with two lock nuts, no bracket — and still delivers diffuse photoelectric sensing out to 200 mm.
That range is the point. An inductive switch in the same hole reaches 1-2 mm and only sees metal; the H series sees any light-reflecting part across a gap of 5 to 200 mm depending on model, with sensitivity trimming inside each band. On lightweight robotic end-of-arm tooling this replaces bracketed block sensors that add mass and snag cables; inside jigs it puts the seat-check exactly where the part sits. The 940 nm infrared emitter is invisible — immune to shop lighting and invisible to nearby vision stations — and the whole series runs on 10-30 VDC with a 5 ms response.
Note: general-purpose presence detection only. The H series is not an IEC 61496-certified safety component and must not be used on its own for personnel protection.
Sensing-Range Bands by Thread Size
Original chart drawn from the factory selection data: two adjustable bands per thread size. Pick the band that brackets your working gap, then trim sensitivity on the unit.
M6 Barrel — Longest-Reach Size
M6 x 0.5 thread, 20 mm threaded length, 22 mm body, 3.8 mm cable — the size that carries the 20-150 mm and 20-200 mm bands.
Technical Specifications
| Sensing mode | Diffuse-reflective, sensitivity adjustable within band |
|---|---|
| Thread sizes | M3 / M4 / M5 / M6 (x 0.5 pitch), single-hole + two lock nuts |
| Range bands | M3: 5-30 / 5-40 mm; M4: 10-50 / 10-70 mm; M5: 15-100 / 15-130 mm; M6: 20-150 / 20-200 mm |
| Light source | 940 nm infrared |
| Housing | Stainless steel, IP65 |
| Supply voltage | 10-30 VDC |
| Load current | 120 mA |
| Response time / frequency | 5 ms / 100 Hz |
| Output codes | N1 = NPN NO; P1 = PNP NO; N2 = NPN NC; P2 = PNP NC |
| Operating temperature | Contact factory |
| Certifications | Contact factory (documents on request) |
Selection Table — 32 Models
| Thread | Range band | NPN NO | PNP NO | NPN NC | PNP NC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M3 x 0.5 | 5-30 mm | H0330N1 | H0330P1 | H0330N2 | H0330P2 |
| M3 x 0.5 | 5-40 mm | H0340N1 | H0340P1 | H0340N2 | H0340P2 |
| M4 x 0.5 | 10-50 mm | H0450N1 | H0450P1 | H0450N2 | H0450P2 |
| M4 x 0.5 | 10-70 mm | H0470N1 | H0470P1 | H0470N2 | H0470P2 |
| M5 x 0.5 | 15-100 mm | H05100N1 | H05100P1 | H05100N2 | H05100P2 |
| M5 x 0.5 | 15-130 mm | H05130N1 | H05130P1 | H05130N2 | H05130P2 |
| M6 x 0.5 | 20-150 mm | H06150N1 | H06150P1 | H06150N2 | H06150P2 |
| M6 x 0.5 | 20-200 mm | H06200N1 | H06200P1 | H06200N2 | H06200P2 |
Model-code example: H0330P1 = M3 thread, 5-30 mm band, PNP, normally open. All models share 10-30 VDC, IP65 and the 940 nm IR source, so selection reduces to thread, band and output logic.
Typical Applications
Lightweight Robot End-of-Arm Tooling
A few grams on an M3/M4 thread instead of a bracketed block sensor — part-presence confirmation rides on the gripper jaw itself without slowing a fast pick cycle.
Inside Jigs and Precision Fixtures
Drill one hole, add two lock nuts: seat-check sensing fits into fixture walls where no bracket could, with range adjustable to the actual seating gap.
3C / Semiconductor Equipment Interiors
Where every millimetre of enclosure space is spoken for, the M3 barrel adds photoelectric detection without redesigning the mechanism.
Non-Metal Parts Where Inductive Fails
Same mounting hole as a micro inductive switch, but it sees plastic, rubber and ceramic parts — and reaches 5-200 mm instead of 1-2 mm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why use an M3-M6 photoelectric switch instead of a micro inductive proximity switch?
Two reasons: reach and material. A micro inductive switch of the same barrel size typically senses only 1-2 mm and only metal. The H series detects any reflective target — plastic, rubber, ceramic, metal — at 5 mm to 200 mm depending on model, from the same single-hole threaded mounting. If your existing hole is M3-M6, it is close to a drop-in upgrade.
How small is the M3 version really?
The H03 barrel is an M3 x 0.5 thread with a 12 mm threaded section and roughly 20 mm total metal body ahead of the cable transition (see the dimension drawing), on a 3.8 mm cable. It mounts through a single drilled hole with two lock nuts — small and light enough for gripper fingers and slide plates.
Is the sensing distance adjustable?
Yes. Every model has an adjustable band: M3 = 5-30 or 5-40 mm, M4 = 10-50 or 10-70 mm, M5 = 15-100 or 15-130 mm, M6 = 20-150 or 20-200 mm. Choose the band that brackets your working gap, then trim sensitivity so background objects stay outside the switching point.
Will factory lighting or a nearby vision system interfere with it?
The emitter is 940 nm infrared — invisible light well away from ambient lighting spectra, and it projects no visible spot that could disturb an adjacent vision inspection station.
Can it survive on a vibrating feeder or a moving arm?
The housing is stainless steel rated IP65 (dust-tight, water-jet protected), and threaded-barrel mounting with two lock nuts holds position under vibration. It is regularly mounted directly on vibratory bowl feeder tracks and robot arms.
How accurate is detection on dark or angled targets?
As with any diffuse sensor, low-reflectivity or steeply angled surfaces return less light and trigger at a shorter distance than the rated band. Keep margin, or use a through-beam pair for colour-independent switching.
Is this a safety component, and how do I order samples?
It is a general-purpose presence sensor — not an IEC 61496-certified safety component and never a substitute for a safety light curtain. For ordering, quote the model code (e.g. H0330P1 = M3, 5-30 mm band, PNP, NO). Samples for design-in and current MOQ/lead time: contact the factory.
Specs reviewed by Engineer Cai, Senior Application Engineer. See certificates.
Safety Light Curtain — Customer Cases
Real installations from DAIDISIKE clients. Click any case to view in full. Filter by scenario to quickly find a similar setup.