Tech Tip: UK Series Ultrasonic Sensors from AutomationDirect

I'm using this sensor which is a short-range up to 900-millimeter sensor with an analog 0 to 10-volt output and an NPN output with a quick disconnect for the cable. This is a 100 to 900 millimeter sensor so we can set the detection range anywhere in here. That determines when the discrete output turns on and where the analog output starts and stops, let's try it. First place an object at the max distance you want to cover and then hold the button down for one second the sensor LED turns on. Now move the object to the nearest distance you want to detect press the button for one second, the LED turns off blinks five times and then turns back on. That's it, I have one of these cables with the LEDs built-in so I can monitor the outputs and you can see that as I move the object farther away the LED, on the analog pin gets brighter that corresponds to the analog voltage increasing but when I exceed the maximum distance I set the LED on the discrete output pin goes off, perfect. This sensor ships with the output normally open so it closes when a target is found what if you want to invert that well that's easy just hold the button down for eight seconds until the LED starts to blink fast. release the button the LED blinks slowly when a LED stops blinking the polarity inverts you can see that here. This LED indicator is connected to the discreet output is off when a target is in range. Note that this also inverts the analog output the LED connected to the analog output gets brighter as I move closer to this sensor. that's the opposite of what we had before right. So now the voltage looks like this on our chart when we invert the output. Suppose you just want to detect all the objects from the minimum possible range to some fixed point, well that's easy, just cover the sensor when you set the min range it will default to the min; Now that doesn't work for the max range don't set the sensor distance past the max rating for the sensor in this case 900 millimeters it may give you unpredictable and unrepeatable results so be careful with that. A few notes, these settings are preserved even if the sensor is powered down make sure, you mount the sensor with the provided rubber gaskets they help provide vibration isolation. Also make sure you leave about five millimeters of the housing exposed below the face of the sensor so, don't mount the sensor flush to the panel. Make sure the power supply meets the specs in the datasheet, the cable extensions are kept below 100 meters, and if the cables are shielded and grounded to help prevent electrical noise issues. To clean the sensor just use a rag that's been dampened with water to wipe it down and then dry it off. Don't use solvents acids or even hot water or steam to clean the sensor. Well that should be enough to get you up running with these sensors check out the how-to videos that show you exactly how to wire them to a PLC and how to program that PLC to use them.