SN04 / TL-W5 Square Inductive Proximity Switch
The two compact formats every machine shop already has brackets for — a 4 mm cube and a 5/7 mm flat plate, built on one electrical platform.
- SN04: 18 × 18 × 34 mm cube, 4 mm sensing
- TL-W5: 42 × 25 × 10 mm plate, 5 mm (E) or 7 mm (F)
- DC 12–24 V, NPN / PNP, NO / NC
- ABS housing, LED indicator, −25 to +55 °C
- Two Ø3.5 mm through-holes on the TL-W5 plate
Two shapes the industry standardized long ago
Some sensor outlines became de facto standards decades ago, and machinery builders still design around them. The small cube with its cable leaving the back corner, and the thin plate that screws flat under a slide with two M3 screws — if you maintain imported packaging or woodworking equipment, both shapes are probably on your machine right now. This family keeps those exact mounting geometries so a failed unit swaps out without drilling a single new hole.
The plate format deserves a special word: at only 10 mm thick, the TL-W5 disappears under tables and slides where nothing cylindrical could be aimed, and its two through-holes make the installation self-aligning — the screws define the position, so a replacement lands in exactly the calibrated spot of the old unit. The F type stretches the rated distance to 7 mm for targets with more play.
TL-W5E1 flat body: 42 × 25 × 10 mm, two Ø3.5 mm holes, LED indicator, 50 mm output lead per the factory drawing.
Cube or Plate — Matching the Format to the Machine
Same electronics, two geometries: the cube aims forward from a bracket; the plate hides under the motion and looks up.
Model Selection Table
| Model | Format | Sensing distance | Output | Body size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SN04N1 / SN04P1 | SN04 cube | 4 mm | NPN NO / PNP NO | 18 × 18 × 34 mm |
| SN04N2 / SN04P2 | SN04 cube | 4 mm | NPN NC / PNP NC | 18 × 18 × 34 mm |
| TL-W5E1 | TL-W5 flat | 5 mm | NO (suffix 1) | 42 × 25 × 10 mm |
| TL-W5E2 | TL-W5 flat | 5 mm | NC (suffix 2) | 42 × 25 × 10 mm |
| TL-W5F1 | TL-W5 flat | 7 mm | NO (suffix 1) | 42 × 25 × 10 mm |
| TL-W5F2 | TL-W5 flat | 7 mm | NC (suffix 2) | 42 × 25 × 10 mm |
TL-W5 models: E = 5 mm, F = 7 mm; suffix 1 = NO, 2 = NC; NPN and PNP variants available across the family. IP rating and switching frequency are not published for this series — contact the factory. 4-wire NO+NC dual-output availability must be confirmed before quoting.
Technical Specifications
| Detection method | Inductive (metal targets only) |
|---|---|
| Working voltage | DC 12–24 V |
| Output | NPN / PNP; NO (1) / NC (2) |
| Wiring | 3-wire: BN +, BU −, BK signal; documented 4-wire NO+NC adds WH |
| Working temperature | −25 °C to +55 °C |
| Housing | ABS, with built-in LED indicator |
| SN04 dimensions | 18 × 18 × 34 mm, Ø18 round sensing face |
| TL-W5 dimensions | 42 × 25 × 10 mm, 2 × Ø3.5 mm holes, 50 mm lead |
| IP rating / frequency / cable length | Contact factory (not published for this series) |
Typical Applications
Packaging Machinery Spares
Pattern-compatible swap-ins for the cube and flat sensors fitted to imported packaging lines.
Slide & Cylinder End Positions
The 10 mm plate mounts under moving tables and reads a metal flag from below.
Indexing & Counting Points
Non-contact confirmation of parts and carriers on light assembly and woodworking equipment.
Panel-Built Automation
DC 12–24 V rating matches the common 24 V control rail in small machine panels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do the SN04 and TL-W5 share one page?
They are the two compact square formats that generations of machine designers already know: a small cube with a rounded sensing face (SN04 style) and a thin flat plate with two screw holes (TL-W5 style). We build both in one family with the same DC 12–24 V electronics and NPN/PNP, NO/NC options, so you pick purely by the mounting geometry your machine already has.
What sensing distances are available?
The SN04 cube is rated 4 mm. The TL-W5 plate comes as the E type at 5 mm (TL-W5E1/E2) or the F type at 7 mm (TL-W5F1/F2), all on standard steel targets per the factory selection table.
Are these compatible replacements for existing SN04-N or TL-W5 style sensors on my machine?
The body dimensions and mounting arrangements follow the widely used industry formats — 18 × 18 × 34 mm for the cube and 42 × 25 × 10 mm with two Ø3.5 mm holes for the plate — so they normally install in the same location and bracket as sensors of the same pattern from imported brands. Always match the sensing distance, output polarity (NPN/PNP) and logic (NO/NC) to the unit being replaced before ordering.
What are the electrical ratings?
Working voltage is DC 12–24 V on a 3-wire connection: brown +, blue −, black signal. Each model is available in NPN or PNP with NO (suffix 1) or NC (suffix 2) logic, and the factory wiring diagram also documents a 4-wire NO+NC dual-output scheme using a white wire — confirm dual-output part numbers with the factory before quoting.
What environment can they work in?
The published range is −25 °C to +55 °C in an ABS housing with a built-in LED indicator. An IP rating is not published for this series, so for washdown or outdoor duty confirm sealing with our engineers or step up to the IP67-rated Q25/Q30/Q40 family.
Can they be used in safety circuits?
Only as ordinary position inputs. They are standard sensors, not IEC 61496-certified safety components, and must not serve as the protective device for personnel. Use certified safety switches or light curtains for guarding functions.
How do I order — and what about MOQ and lead time for export?
List the models you need (e.g. SN04P1, TL-W5F2) or send a photo of the sensor being replaced via the contact page. Export sales will confirm stock, MOQ, sample terms and shipping lead time; certification documents are available on request.