Q10 Low-Profile Side-Sensing Inductive Proximity Switch
A metal-detection point only 6 mm thick — made for pallet stops, cam timing and the flat spaces under conveyor tracks.
- 6 mm (Q102.5) / 6.5 mm (Q104) body thickness
- Side-sensing face — no bracket gymnastics
- 2.5 mm or 4 mm rated sensing distance
- 10–30 V DC, NPN/PNP, NO/NC, LED indicator
- IP67, −25 to +70 °C, short-circuit protected
Positioning feedback for spaces measured in millimetres
Conveyor lines rarely leave room for sensing hardware where the detection actually needs to happen. Under the pallet track there may be a finger's width of clearance; beside an indexing cam, even less. The Q10 was drawn around that reality: a wafer-thin body that bolts flat to the frame, a sensing face on its flank instead of its nose, and a cable that exits along the mounting surface rather than sticking out of it.
Electrically it is a complete industrial sensor, not a fragile miniature. The 10–30 V DC supply window covers every common control rail, all four output configurations (NPN/PNP × NO/NC) are stocked as separate part numbers, and the output stage carries genuine short-circuit protection with a 180 mA trip — so a miswired test lead costs you a red face, not a sensor. An LED on the body confirms switching during setup, which matters when the sensor disappears under a track after commissioning.
Under-Track Pallet Detection, Side-On
The flat body hides in the clearance under the track and reads each passing pallet plate through its side face — no bracket, no protrusion into the product path.
Model Selection Table
| Model | Sensing distance | Output | Housing | Footprint |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q102.5N1 | 2.5 mm | NPN, NO | 6 mm thick, ABS | ≈10 × 30 mm |
| Q102.5P1 | 2.5 mm | PNP, NO | 6 mm thick, ABS | ≈10 × 30 mm |
| Q102.5N2 | 2.5 mm | NPN, NC | 6 mm thick, ABS | ≈10 × 30 mm |
| Q102.5P2 | 2.5 mm | PNP, NC | 6 mm thick, ABS | ≈10 × 30 mm |
| Q104N1 | 4 mm | NPN, NO | 6.5 mm thick, PBT | ≈10 × 30 mm |
| Q104P1 | 4 mm | PNP, NO | 6.5 mm thick, PBT | ≈10 × 30 mm |
| Q104N2 | 4 mm | NPN, NC | 6.5 mm thick, PBT | ≈10 × 30 mm |
| Q104P2 | 4 mm | PNP, NC | 6.5 mm thick, PBT | ≈10 × 30 mm |
Naming rule: Q10 + sensing distance (2.5/4) + N/P (NPN/PNP) + 1/2 (NO/NC). Example: Q104P2 = 4 mm, PNP, normally closed.
Technical Specifications
| Sensing method | Inductive, side (lateral) face |
|---|---|
| Sensing distance | 2.5 mm (Q102.5) / 4 mm (Q104) |
| Supply voltage | 10–30 V DC, 3-wire (BN +, BK signal, BU −) |
| No-load current | < 10 mA |
| Max load current | 150 mA (overload trip 180 mA, short-circuit protected) |
| Output options | NPN / PNP × NO / NC (4 configurations) |
| Housing | ABS (Q102.5) / PBT (Q104), ≈10 × 27–30 mm footprint |
| Protection rating | IP67 |
| Operating temperature | −25 °C to +70 °C |
| Indicator | LED switching-state indicator |
| Switching frequency / cable length | Contact factory (not published for this series) |
Typical Applications
Pallet & Fixture Positioning
Confirms a metal pallet has reached its stop under the conveyor track before the next station cycles.
Cam & Shaft Timing
Reads cam lobes or shaft flats side-on for cycle timing on rotating machinery.
Indexing Table Stations
Detects the metal dog at each dial position to verify the table stopped on station.
Flat-Bracket Retrofits
Adds a detection point to existing machines with two screws and 6 mm of clearance — no machining.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the Q10 different from other square proximity switches?
Thickness. The whole switch is a flat wafer only 6 mm (Q102.5) or 6.5 mm (Q104) thick, with the sensing coil aimed out of the side face. It slides into the gap under a conveyor rail or beside a cam where neither a barrel sensor nor a cube-style square sensor will fit, and it screws flat to the machine frame.
Which sensing distance should I choose — Q102.5 or Q104?
Q102.5 is rated 2.5 mm in an ABS housing; Q104 is rated 4 mm in a PBT housing, at the cost of 0.5 mm extra thickness. If your target gap tolerance is loose — pallets that wander, cams with runout — the 4 mm Q104 gives more working margin. For tightly guided targets the 2.5 mm version keeps the response crisp.
What are the full electrical ratings?
10–30 V DC supply on a 3-wire cable (brown +, black signal, blue −), no-load current under 10 mA, maximum load 150 mA, with built-in short-circuit protection and an overload trip at 180 mA. NPN and PNP outputs are available in NO or NC logic, plus an LED that shows switching state.
Can it survive coolant, dust and washdown?
The Q10 series is rated IP67 with an operating range of −25 °C to +70 °C, so splashing coolant, dust and factory washdown at the conveyor line are within its design envelope. Route the cable with a drip loop and it will run unattended for years.
How does side-sensing help under a conveyor?
Mounted flat under the track, the Q10 looks sideways/upward at passing metal pallets or fixture plates without protruding into the product path. A front-sensing barrel would need an L-bracket and vertical clearance that low-profile conveyors simply do not have.
Can the Q10 switch my solenoid valve or relay directly?
Only loads up to 150 mA. Small PLC inputs and interface relays are fine; larger solenoids should be driven through an interposing relay so the 180 mA protection never trips in normal service.
What about samples, MOQ and delivery for export orders?
Standard Q10 variants are factory items with flexible trial quantities for export customers. Send the model codes (e.g. Q104P1) or your application details via the contact page and sales will confirm MOQ, pricing, certification paperwork available on request, and lead time to your port.