BGS-CX441 / BGS-CX442 Background Suppression Photoelectric Sensor

Wire-adjustable BGS sensor with 2 mm or 15 mm spot, 10-300 mm range, published black/white differential distance.

Technical Specifications

ModelBGS-CX441N / BGS-CX441P / BGS-CX442N / BGS-CX442P
Output typeSuffix N = NPN, P = PNP; 4-wire, white control wire selects N.O./N.C. (white - NC floating / white - 0V switches)
Detection methodBackground suppression (BGS)
Sensing distance (CX441)10-100 mm adjustable; black/white differential distance 80 mm (100 mm on white paper); small spot 2 mm infrared
Sensing distance (CX442)20-300 mm adjustable (up to 500 mm on white); black/white differential distance 280 mm; wide spot 15 mm
Operating voltageDC12-24V ±10%
Current consumptionUnder 30 mA
Response timeUnder 0.5 ms
Switching frequency100 Hz
Protection ratingIP65
Cable length2 m

Overview

BGS-CX441 and BGS-CX442 are background-suppression (BGS) photoelectric sensors that detect a target at a set distance while ignoring the background behind it, even when the background is close or reflective. CX441 uses a small 2 mm infrared spot for precise detection of small or closely-spaced targets; CX442 uses a wider 15 mm spot that averages reflected light across a larger area, making it suitable for perforated, textured, or uneven target surfaces where a small spot would fall into a hole or gap and cause a false or missed detection. They target machine builders and line integrators working with conveyors, packaging lines, and sorting/detection stations that need reliable presence detection close to a background, on mixed-color products, or on mesh/perforated surfaces.

Both models are 4-wire, offer NPN or PNP output selected by order-code suffix (N/P), and let the wiring technician select N.O. or N.C. logic on site via the white control wire. CX441 covers a 10-100 mm adjustable sensing distance with an 80 mm black/white differential distance (100 mm on white paper); CX442 covers a 20-300 mm adjustable sensing distance, extending to 500 mm on white targets, with a 280 mm black/white differential distance. Both respond in under 0.5 ms with a 100 Hz switching frequency, run on DC12-24V ±10% at under 30 mA, and carry an IP65 rating with a 2 m cable.

Features & Benefits

Two optics, one family - spot size matched to target surface

CX441's 2 mm spot targets small or precisely-positioned parts, while CX442's 15 mm wide spot averages reflected light across perforated, textured, or uneven surfaces, avoiding chatter caused by the beam falling into a hole or seam.

Published black/white differential distance - verifiable BGS performance

CX441 holds an 80 mm sensing distance on a white-to-black target swap (100 mm on white paper); CX442 holds 280 mm (up to 500 mm on white targets). A single sensing distance can be sized to work across dark and light products without re-teaching.

Adjustable sensing distance spanning two models

CX441 covers 10-100 mm adjustable; CX442 covers 20-300 mm adjustable (up to 500 mm on white targets). Together the pair covers near-to-mid-range detection needs.

0.5 ms response time / 100 Hz switching frequency

Fast enough to apply background suppression on higher-speed conveying and sorting lines.

4-wire design with on-site N.O./N.C. selection

The white control wire lets the technician choose N.O. (floating) or N.C. (tied to 0V) logic during commissioning without reordering a different variant.

NPN and PNP output available by order code

Suffix N for NPN, P for PNP, letting integrators match existing PLC/control cabinet wiring conventions.

IP65-rated housing with 2 m cable

Suitable for typical factory-floor environments with dust and splash exposure.

DC12-24V ±10% operation at under 30 mA

Fits standard 24 V DC control system power budgets.

Applications

Flat or thin parts on a conveyor, close to the belt or background surface — The BGS principle is designed specifically to detect a target at a set cutoff distance while suppressing a nearby background, which is the classic use case for this sensor type.
Objects on perforated, meshed, or woven surfaces (wire mesh belts, punched plates) — CX442's 15 mm wide spot averages reflected light so a hole or gap in the surface does not read as a false absence of target.
Mixed black-and-white or light/dark colored products on the same line — Published black/white differential distances (80 mm for CX441, 280 mm for CX442) mean a single distance setting works across both light and dark targets without re-teaching.
Small component positioning or presence check — CX441's 2 mm spot size is small enough for precise targeting of small or closely-spaced parts.
Sorting or packaging stations where target and background sit close together — Adjustable cutoff distance (10-100 mm for CX441, 20-300 mm for CX442) lets the sensor be set to detect the target while ignoring a background just behind it.
Applications needing on-site N.O./N.C. logic changes without re-stocking a different part number — The 4-wire white control line makes N.O./N.C. a wiring choice, not an ordering choice.
Machines standardizing on either NPN or PNP I/O across a control cabinet — Both output types are available by order suffix, simplifying spare-parts and wiring consistency.

Models & Ordering Information

BGS-CX441 series - 2 mm small spot, 10-100 mm adjustable

BGS-CX441NBGS-CX441P
Suffix N = NPN output, P = PNP output. Black/white differential distance 80 mm (100 mm on white paper).

BGS-CX442 series - 15 mm wide spot, 20-300 mm adjustable

BGS-CX442NBGS-CX442P
Suffix N = NPN output, P = PNP output. Black/white differential distance 280 mm (up to 500 mm on white targets).

How to Select

  1. Select by target surface (spot size): small, precise, or closely-spaced targets -> CX441 (2 mm small spot); perforated, meshed, textured, or uneven-surface targets where a small spot risks falling into a gap -> CX442 (15 mm wide spot).
  2. Select by detection distance needed: 10-100 mm adjustable range -> CX441 (black/white differential 80 mm, 100 mm on white paper); 20-300 mm adjustable range, up to 500 mm on white targets -> CX442 (black/white differential 280 mm).
  3. Select by output type (order-code suffix): NPN output -> suffix N (e.g. BGS-CX441N, BGS-CX442N); PNP output -> suffix P (e.g. BGS-CX441P, BGS-CX442P). Match this to your PLC/control cabinet's existing sinking (NPN) or sourcing (PNP) input convention.
  4. Select N.O./N.C. logic by wiring, not ordering: all four part numbers are 4-wire with a white control wire - leave it floating for N.C., or tie it to 0V to switch to N.O. as needed at commissioning, without a separate order code.
  5. Confirm power and environment fit: all four variants run on DC12-24V ±10%, draw under 30 mA, and carry IP65 protection with a 2 m cable - confirm this matches your control system voltage and the target installation's dust/splash exposure before final selection.

📘 Need the full method? NPN vs PNP Sensor Outputs Explained

When NOT to specify the BGS-CX441 — and what to use instead

Detection point is more than 300 mm away (or more than 500 mm even on a pure white target)

Why not: CX441's adjustable range tops out at 100 mm and CX442's at 300 mm (500 mm only on white targets) - both are close/mid-range BGS units, not long-range sensors.

Use instead: the BX series long-range background-suppression sensor (adjustable up to 4 m from one side) or a through-beam pair for long range

The target is dark/low-reflectivity and mounted near the outer edge of the range

Why not: The published black/white differential distance is 80 mm for CX441 and 280 mm for CX442 - the extended 100 mm / 500 mm figures are only confirmed on white paper, not on dark targets at that same distance.

Use instead: reduce the mounting distance to within the black/white differential figure, or step up from CX441 to CX442 for more range headroom

The target is clear/transparent film, glass, or a similarly non-reflective object

Why not: Background suppression sensing depends on light reflecting off the target's own surface; no clear/transparent-object detection performance is published for CX441/CX442.

Use instead: consult us for a sensing mode suited to transparent targets before specifying this sensor

Washdown with a high-pressure hose, or any risk of temporary submersion

Why not: CX441/CX442 are rated IP65 (dust-tight, protected against water jets) only - not rated for high-pressure washdown or submersion.

Use instead: the BGS-CX61 focused-beam background-suppression sensor, which is IP67-rated

Personnel guarding, machine access points, or any safety-related presence detection

Why not: CX441/CX442 carry no safety rating or safety certification in the published data - they are general-purpose detection sensors only.

Use instead: a certified safety light curtain (e.g. DQC/DQA series) for personnel protection

Specifications we do not publish yet

We only publish a figure once we are confident it is true. The items below are still being validated through further testing and real-world customer feedback, so for now we would rather leave them open than guess. If one of them matters to your design, ask us for the latest validated status.

  • Minimum detectable object size
  • Hysteresis
  • MTBF
  • Exact operating and storage temperature range
  • Exact infrared light source wavelength (nm)
  • Cable termination type - flying leads vs. connector
  • Certification status (documents said to be available on request but not specified)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between BGS-CX441 and BGS-CX442?
CX441 uses a small 2 mm infrared spot and covers a 10-100 mm adjustable sensing distance with an 80 mm black/white differential distance. CX442 uses a wider 15 mm spot and covers a 20-300 mm adjustable sensing distance (up to 500 mm on white targets) with a 280 mm black/white differential distance. CX442's wider spot is better suited to perforated, textured, or uneven target surfaces.
What does black/white differential distance mean and why does it matter?
It is the sensing distance the sensor can hold consistently whether the target is dark (black) or light (white) colored. A published black/white differential distance (80 mm for CX441, 280 mm for CX442) means a single distance setting works across mixed-color products on the same line without re-teaching the sensor for each color.
Can this sensor detect an object that sits close to its background?
Yes - this is a background suppression (BGS) sensor, designed to detect a target at a set cutoff distance while ignoring a background behind it, including backgrounds that are close to the target.
Does BGS-CX442 work reliably on mesh belts or perforated plates?
CX442's 15 mm wide spot averages reflected light over a larger area of the target surface, which reduces the chance that a hole or gap in a mesh belt or perforated plate causes a false signal - a common failure mode with small-spot sensors on such surfaces.
What output types are available?
Both NPN and PNP are available, selected by order-code suffix: N for NPN, P for PNP (e.g., BGS-CX441N vs. BGS-CX441P).
Can I choose N.O. or N.C. output on this sensor?
Yes. Both models are 4-wire with a white control wire - leave it floating for N.C. output, or connect it to 0V to switch to N.O., without needing a different part number.
What is the response time and switching frequency?
Response time is under 0.5 ms, with a switching frequency of 100 Hz.
What power supply and current draw does this sensor need?
DC12-24V ±10%, with current consumption under 30 mA.
What is the IP rating and cable length?
IP65, with a 2 m cable.
What is the maximum adjustable sensing distance for BGS-CX442 on a white target?
Up to 500 mm on a white target; the general adjustable range is 20-300 mm.
Can I get certification documents for BGS-CX441/CX442?
Certification documents are available on request.

Related Categories and Example Products

Explore other functions that may be needed in a machine or line. The products below are category examples, not pre-validated electrical or safety combinations. Confirm each interface and application separately: Proximity Sensors · Laser Switch Sensors · Relay & Timer Modules

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