IJSTE - International Journal of Science Technology & Engineering | Volume 2 | Issue 09 | March 2016

ISSN (online): 2349-784X

Inductive Proximity Sensor Interfaced with

Arduino
Anish A. Naik
UG Student
Department of Electronics and Telecommunication
Don Bosco College of Engineering

Deeksha A. Naik
UG Student
Department of Electronics and Telecommunication
Don Bosco College of Engineering

Shruti S. Naik
UG Student
Department of Electronics and Telecommunication
Don Bosco College of Engineering

Shubham D. Naik
UG Student
Department of Electronics and Telecommunication
Don Bosco College of Engineering

Rolan G. Pereira
UG Student
Department of Electronics and Telecommunication
Don Bosco College of Engineering

Abstract
The present paper describes the analysis of an accurate Inductive Proximity Sensor that is interfaced to the Arduino and is used to
detect metal. A graph of Distance v/s Current is plotted for different metallic materials. The Detection of various metallic materials
can be done by using an accurate Inductive Proximity Sensor like the M18DPO. The Arduino interacts with software developed
in the PC end through USB architecture and an attractive Graphical User Interface (GUI) based system is developed in the PC end
to provide the user with real time, online display of the Inductive Sensor Output.
Keywords: Inductive Proximity Sensor, Arduino, USB Architecture, Graphical User Interface
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I.

INTRODUCTION

The Inductive Proximity Sensor (IPS) is a solid state device that generates an output signal when metal objects are either
inside or entering into its sensing area from any direction. IPSs work best with ferrous metals, however, they also work well
with non - ferrous metals(Aluminium, Brass, copper, etc.) at reduced sensing distances. Initially, IPSs were made with housing
similar in size & dimension to the limit switch, but had short sensing distances. Following very good results with these new
devices, market pressure led to the development of large sensors with increased sensing distances. Inductive Proximity Sensors
have no moving parts, operate very fast, are extremely reliable, require no maintenance & operate under extreme
environmental conditions. They typically interface with PLC (programmable Logic Controllers) process, & personal computers
with appropriate hardware & software. They also can control relays, solenoids, valves, etc, up to their maximum output
current.[1]
II. TYPES
Based on Shape
Basically there are four Inductive Proximity Sensor families:
Cylindrical Inductive Proximity Sensors
They represent the most popular device, & are available in diameters from 4mm (159in.) to 30mm (1.18in.) & sensing distances
up to 40mm (1.57in.). Typically, cylindrical models have low sensing distances & are used in applications requiring compact
sizes that are easily mountable.
Limit-style Inductive Proximity Sensors
They are physically larger than Cylindrical IPSs and have sensing distances up to 40mm(1.59in.). These units feature a unique 17
position rotating sensing head with snap and lock construction (no screws). These are used to replace mechanical limit switches
and for applications where adjustments of the sending head is desired.
Block Inductive Proximity Sensors
Feature models with adjustable sensing distances up to 70mm (2.78in.). Block sensors are used for applications where maximum
sensing distances are required.

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Ring Inductive Proximity Sensors

These are special devices that detect metal objects passing through the ring. The range of the ring diameters varies from 12mm
(47in.) to 300mm (11.91in.). Typical application is in stamping operations and detection for unwanted metals. [2]
Based on Housing Design
Flush Mount Sensors
These are sometimes called Shielded or Embedded sensors. A metal band surrounds the sensing head which contain a coil wound
around a ferrite core as shown in figure 2. The resulting electromagnetic field is directed in front of the sensor face. Flush sensors
have a narrow sensing field which is desirable in certain applications.
Non Flush Mount Sensors
In a Non-Flush sensor; There is no metal band and the resulting electromagnetic lines are much wider than the sensor face. These
have a larger sensing distance than Flush Sensors.[2]
III. METHODOLOGY
An Inductive Proximity Sensor consists of an oscillator, a ferrite core with coil, a detector circuit, an output circuit, housing, and
a cable or connector. The oscillator generates a sine wave of a fixed frequency. This signal is used to drive the coil. The coil in
conjunction with ferrite core induces a electromagnetic field. When the field lines are interrupted by a metal object, the oscillator
voltage is reduced, proportional to the size & distance of the object from the coil. The reduction in the oscillator voltage is
caused by eddy currents induced in the metal interrupting the field lines. This reduction in voltage of the oscillator is detected by
the detecting circuit. In standard sensors, when the oscillator voltage drops below a present level, an output signal is generated.

Fig. (a):

IV. BLOCK DIAGRAM

Fig. (b):

The block diagram of the Inductive Proximity Sensor interfaced with arduino is shown above. The Sensor comprises of 3 terminals
i.e. Red, Green and Black. The Red terminal is the Vcc terminal of the sensor and is connected to a 9V Power Supply. The Black
terminal depicts the ground of the sensor. It is connected to the the GND pin of the Arduino and simultaneously shorted with the

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ground terminal of the 9V power supply. The Green terminal is the signal pin which gives the output of the sensor to the digital
pin of the arduino. When a metallic material intercepts the magnetic field of the sensor there is instantaneous change in the output
of the sensor which is then relayed to the Arduino via the digital pin.
V. SPECIFICATIONS
Inductive Proximity Sensor
The Inductive Proximity Sensor used in our project is the M18DPO manufactured by Advance Tech. This Inductive Proximity
Sensor provides very good dimensional accuracy, durability and unmatched quality.

Fig. (c):

The specifications of the sensor are depicted in the table below:

Sr. No.

Table - 1
Specification

Comments

Type

Non-Flush

Sensing Distance(mm)

Logic

PNP

Supply voltage

5 to 30 VDC

Voltage Drop

1.5 VDC

Frequency

1KHz

Contact

NO

Max. Load Current

300Ma

Output Indication

Through LED

10

Circuit protection

Reverse Polarity

5mm

Arduino Uno
The arduino Uno is a microcontroller board based on the ATmega328(datasheet). It has 14digital input/output pins (of which 6 can
be used as PWM outputs),6 analog inputs,a 16MHz crystal oscillator,a USB connection,a power jack,an ICSP header,and a reset
button. [3]

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Fig. (d):
The Specifications of Arduino Uno are as follows:
Sr No.
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
9)
10)
11)
12)
13)
14)
15)
16)

Table - 2
Specification
Value
Microcontroller
ATmega328P
Operating Voltage
5V
Input Voltage (recommended)
7-12V
Input Voltage (limit)
6-20V
Digital I/O Pins
14 (of which 6 provide PWM output)
PWM Digital I/O Pins
6
Analog Input Pins
6
DC Current per I/O Pin
20 mA
DC Current for 3.3V Pin
50 mA
32 KB (ATmega328P)
Flash Memory
of which 0.5 KB used by bootloader
SRAM
2 KB (ATmega328P)
EEPROM
1 KB (ATmega328P)
Clock Speed
16 MHz
Length
68.6 mm
Width
53.4 mm
Weight
25 g

VI. IMPLEMENTATION
The Inductive Proximity Sensor is operated independently with a 9v power source. It is placed at the initial position of the Conveyor
Belt System. The Inductive Proximity Sensor comprises of three terminals. Two terminals are connected to power supply, ground
and Vcc and third terminal is connected to Arduino. Inductive Sensor is used to sort out metal from other waste. When a piece of
metal enters the zone defined by the boundaries of the electromagnetic field, some of the energy of oscillation is transferred into
the metal of the target and hence the metal is detected. The threshold is set using a software program and accordingly metal is
detected.
VII. OBSERVATIONS
MATERIALS
Copper
Cast Iron
Gold
Steel
Stainless
Steel
Magnet

4mm
7.55
6.9
7.28
7.56

3mm
7.50
7.54
7.50
7.49

2mm
7.49
7.49
7.49
7.48

1mm
7.48
7.48
7.48
-

7.63

7.55

7.58

7.61

7.63

7.59

7.46

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VIII. GRAPH

IX. CONCLUSION
The Inductive Proximity Sensor can be used to separate various metallic materials on the basis of the amount of current produced
due to the change in the magnetic field of the sensor. This variation in current is directly proportional to the distance of the metallic
material from the sensor. For the M18DPO Inductive Proximity Sensor the maximum detection range is 5mm beyond which the

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material is not detected. As depicted in the observation table, current is maximum at the largest distance (4mm in this case) and
decreases with reduction in distance and the type of metallic material.
REFERENCES
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]

www.atsensor.in/2014/11/m18-dc-inductive-proximity-sensor.html
Types of Inductive Proximity Sensors, Altec Sensors.
https://www.arduino.cc/en/Main/ArduinoBoardUno
agronomy.emu.ee/vol123/2014_3_31_b5.pdf
http://www.electro-labs.com/proximity-sensors-applications/
Electronic Devices and Circuits by J.B. Gupta

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