Capacitive Proximity Sensors

Introduction
Detects

the presence of Conductive and Non-conductive targets. Or Detects Metallic or Non-metallic materials

Principles Block Diagram

Basic Principles of Capacitance

Capacitance is a function of effective area of the conductors, the separation between the conductors and the dielectric strength of the material. C= A d

continue

A change in capacitance can be brought about by varying any one of the three parameters.
Changing the distance between the two parallel electrodes, d Changing the dielectric constant, permittivity of medium Changing the area of electrodes, A

Basic Construction

Principle of Operation

Basic Construction

Principle Operation

If non-conductive object in the field of capacitor, the capacitance increases because the objects dielectric constant is greater than air. If conductive object in the field of capacitor, the objects becomes another electrode and form two capacitors. The extra electrode causes the distance between the plates to reduce, the total capacitance increases.

Non-Metal (Non-conductive Material)

The switching distance depends on the relative permitivity r (reduction factor)

air r = 1
r > 1 r > 1

Metal (Conductive Material)

Conductive, earthed target Conductive, insulated target

Detection of Printing Boards

Position Detection