Balluff BES-516-211-E5-E-S21 Inductive Proximity Sensor

The Balluff BES-516-211-E5-E-S21 is a cylindrical inductive proximity sensor in an M18 housing designed for metal target detection with a nominal sensing distance of 5 mm. This shielded sensor measures about 70.5 mm long and features a nickel-plated brass body with a PA12 sensing face for rugged industrial environments. It operates in a two-wire, normally-open configuration and is suitable for AC or DC supply across a broad range (20–250 VAC/DC), with a rated operating distance Sn of 5 mm and an assured operating distance Sa of 0–4.0 mm. Electrical characteristics support a maximum switching frequency of 400 Hz, a minimum operational current of 5 mA, and an off-state current of around 1.7 mA, with a voltage drop typically between 7.5 and 11 V under load. The device is rated IP67 for dust and water ingress resistance and is designed for mounting in steel or shielded installations, with ambient operation from -25 °C to +70 °C and a 10 ms delay before availability. Balluff specifies a repeatability around 5% and hysteresis around 15%, making this sensor reliable for precise position sensing in automation lines, conveyors, and machine tooling where metal-target detection is required. This BES-series sensor provides a direct NO output and harmonizes with Balluff’s BES ecosystem for straightforward integration into industrial control systems.