Photoelectric Fork Sensor Panasonic PM-R25-P, R-type, 5–24 V DC, light-ON/dark-ON

Panasonic PM-R25-P is a fork-type photoelectric sensor designed for reliable object detection in automation and production environments. The R-type housing forms a U-shaped sensing gap that allows components to pass through while the sensor monitors interruptions of the infrared beam. The sensor supports a wide supply range of 5–24 V DC and offers selectable light-ON or dark-ON switching modes for flexible integration with control systems. This single-piece unit simplifies mechanical mounting and electrical connection for alignment, presence/absence verification and small-part counting tasks.

Advantages

The fork design provides stable, repeatable detection of thin or small objects that pass through the sensing gap. Selectable light-ON and dark-ON modes enable compatibility with different control logic and wiring schemes. The wide 5–24 V DC supply range allows use with common industrial power supplies. Compact, single-piece construction reduces installation complexity and helps maintain alignment over time.

Suitable for

• Presence and absence checks on assembly lines
• Counting small parts or components
• Edge or position detection of thin items such as labels, tapes or plates
• Alignment verification where a fork-style sensor is preferred

Key specifications

• Sensing type: fork (U-shaped gap) photoelectric detection
• Supply voltage: 5–24 V DC
• Switching modes: selectable light-ON (bright) and dark-ON (dark)
• Output: transistor-style switching compatible with DC control inputs
• Mounting: single-piece housing for mechanical stability and straightforward installation

How to use

Install the sensor so the moving parts or items to be detected pass through the fork gap perpendicular to the emitter-receiver axis. Connect the power supply within the 5–24 V DC range and wire the switching output to the machine controller or PLC input following the control system polarity requirements. Select the light-ON or dark-ON mode according to whether the control logic should energize on beam presence or beam interruption. Adjust mechanical alignment to center the target within the sensing gap for consistent detection; no additional tuning of sensitivity is required for standard opaque objects.

Recommendations

Use the PM-R25-P in environments free from excessive dust or substances that may deposit on optical surfaces; periodic cleaning of the emitter/receiver faces maintains reliable operation. When detecting transparent or highly reflective objects, verify detection performance in the actual application and consider using contrast or background masking as needed.