M8/M12/M18/M30 DC 2-Wire Inductive Proximity Sensors

M8/M12/M18/M30 threaded-barrel 2-wire DC inductive sensors, 10-30VDC, IP67, sensing distance 1-25mm.

Technical Specifications

Sensing MethodInductive
Body SizeM8 / M12 / M18 / M30
Wiring2-wire DC
Output TypeNO (D1) / NC (D2)
MountingFlush (P) / Non-flush (T)
Operating Voltage10-30VDC
Sensing DistanceM8: 1mm/2mm (flush), 2mm/4mm (non-flush); M12: 2mm/3mm/4mm (flush), 4mm/6mm/8mm (non-flush); M18: 5mm/8mm (flush), 8mm/12mm/16mm (non-flush); M30: 10mm/16mm (flush), 15mm/25mm (non-flush)
Protection RatingIP67
Operating Temperature-25°C to +70°C
Surge Protection1kV/1ms/1kΩ
Short-Circuit ProtectionYes, with 120mA overload protection point
LED IndicatorYes
Standard Cable Length2m (longer lengths available on request)
Body LengthM8: 45mm; M12: 45mm; M18: 55mm; M30: 55mm
Switching Frequency (example)M8 1mm flush: 2kHz; M8 4mm non-flush: 800Hz

Overview

This is a series of cylindrical, threaded-barrel inductive proximity sensors in four standard body sizes (M8, M12, M18, M30), wired as 2-wire DC devices that operate in series with the load. Each size is offered in a flush-mount (shielded, embeddable) version and a non-flush-mount (unshielded) version, each available with normally-open (NO/D1) or normally-closed (NC/D2) output.

They are intended for machine builders, panel integrators, and OEMs who need a compact, standardized metal-detection sensor for machine automation, packaging lines, and material-handling equipment, and who want a simple 2-wire connection that reduces cabling versus 3-wire PNP/NPN sensors. Sensing distance across the series ranges from 1mm (M8, flush mount) to 25mm (M30, non-flush mount), and all variants operate on 10-30VDC with an IP67 protection rating.

Features & Benefits

Four Body Sizes in One Family (M8/M12/M18/M30)

Lets integrators standardize sourcing and spare-parts stock across a machine that needs different sensing ranges in different locations, using one consistent naming and wiring logic.

Sensing Distance Graded from 1mm to 25mm

Covers close-range precision detection (M8, 1-4mm) up to longer-range detection for larger targets or looser mounting tolerance (M30, up to 25mm), without changing sensor family or wiring scheme.

Flush and Non-Flush Mount Options on Every Size

Flush (shielded) versions can be embedded flush in metal housings without false triggering from surrounding metal; non-flush versions deliver longer sensing distance when a metal-free clearance zone around the sensor face is available.

2-Wire DC Connection, 10-30VDC

Wires in series with the load (brown/BN to +, blue/BU through the load to +), simplifying cabling compared with 3-wire sensors and letting it work directly with many DC control circuits in this voltage range.

Selectable NO (D1) or NC (D2) Output

Matches either "detect presence = signal on" or "detect presence = signal off" logic without extra interface relays, simplifying PLC/control-circuit design.

IP67 Protection Rating

Withstands washdown, dust, and splash exposure typical of production-floor and conveyor environments without additional enclosure.

Built-In Surge and Short-Circuit Protection

1kV/1ms/1kΩ surge protection plus short-circuit protection and a 120mA overload trip point reduce the risk of sensor damage from wiring transients or accidental output shorts during installation and maintenance.

-25°C to +70°C Operating Range with LED Status Indication

Suits both standard indoor machine environments and cooler/warmer plant conditions, while the LED gives a visual on/off status check during commissioning and troubleshooting without a meter.

Applications

Workpiece Presence Detection on Assembly/Production LinesInductive sensing directly detects metal fixtures or metal workpieces without contact, matching the flush/non-flush mounting options for embedding in fixture blocks.
Rotary Table (Indexing Table) Position SensingThe sensor's compact threaded barrel allows side-mounting near a rotating fixture plate to confirm each station has reached its detection position, consistent with the M8/M12 size range for close-clearance mounting.
Metal Container/Can Detection on Conveyor LinesNon-contact metal detection at typical conveyor sensing distances (a few mm to tens of mm) suits counting or presence-checking of aluminum cans and similar metal containers passing a fixed point.
Pallet/Carrier Positioning on Conveyor and Chain-Drive SystemsSide-mounted sensing of a metal pallet or carrier plate confirms the carrier has reached a stop or transfer point on a chain conveyor, matching the mid-to-long sensing distances available in the M12-M30 range.
Door/Panel Open-Closed State MonitoringA single sensor mounted at the door frame edge can confirm door-closed state by detecting a metal striker or bracket, useful for machine safety interlocks or status feedback on enclosures.
General Metal-Target End-of-Travel/Limit DetectionThe graded sensing-distance lineup (1mm to 25mm) and choice of NO/NC output make the series broadly applicable wherever a metal actuator, cylinder rod collar, or bracket needs a simple non-contact limit signal.

Models & Ordering Information

M8 Series

M801D1PM801D2PM802D1PM802D2PM802D1TM802D2TM804D1TM804D2T
Sensing distance 1mm/2mm (flush, P) or 2mm/4mm (non-flush, T); NO (D1) or NC (D2) output.

M12 Series

M1202D1PM1202D2PM1203D1PM1203D2PM1204D1PM1204D2PM1204D1TM1204D2TM1206D1TM1206D2TM1208D1TM1208D2T
Sensing distance 2mm/3mm/4mm (flush, P) or 4mm/6mm/8mm (non-flush, T); NO (D1) or NC (D2) output.

M18 Series

M1805D1PM1805D2PM1808D1PM1808D2PM1808D1TM1808D2TM1812D1TM1812D2TM1816D1TM1816D2T
Sensing distance 5mm/8mm (flush, P) or 8mm/12mm/16mm (non-flush, T); NO (D1) or NC (D2) output.

M30 Series

M3010D1PM3010D2PM3016D1PM3016D2PM3015D1TM3015D2TM3025D1TM3025D2T
Sensing distance 10mm/16mm (flush, P) or 15mm/25mm (non-flush, T); NO (D1) or NC (D2) output.

How to Select

  1. Selection is driven by four variables encoded directly in the model number: body size, sensing distance, output logic (D1/D2), and mount type (P/T).
  2. Choose body size (M8/M12/M18/M30) based on available installation space and required sensing distance range — larger barrel sizes support longer sensing distances (M8: 45mm long, M12: 45mm long, M18: 55mm long, M30: 55mm long).
  3. Choose flush mount (P) if the sensor face needs to be mounted flush with surrounding metal without false triggering, accepting a shorter sensing distance for the same barrel size.
  4. Choose non-flush mount (T) if a longer sensing distance is needed for the same barrel size and a metal-free clearance zone around the sensing face is available.
  5. Pick the sensing distance (Sn) from the graded values available per size/mount combination: M8: 1mm (flush)/2mm (flush)/2mm (non-flush)/4mm (non-flush); M12: 2mm/3mm/4mm (flush)/4mm/6mm/8mm (non-flush); M18: 5mm/8mm (flush)/8mm/12mm/16mm (non-flush); M30: 10mm/16mm (flush)/15mm/25mm (non-flush).
  6. Choose D1 (normally open) if the control logic should read "signal on when target detected"; choose D2 (normally closed) if it should read "signal off when target detected".
  7. Confirm the target control circuit matches the 2-wire DC, 10-30VDC wiring topology before specifying — all variants in this family are 2-wire DC.
  8. For high line speed, favor the shortest sensing distance in each size, which generally gives the highest switching frequency (e.g. M8 1mm flush = 2kHz vs M8 4mm non-flush = 800Hz).
  9. Model naming logic: Size + detection-range code + D1(NO)/D2(NC) + P(flush)/T(non-flush) — e.g. M1204D1T = M12 barrel, 4mm sensing distance, NO output, non-flush mount.

📘 Need the full method? How to Choose a Proximity Sensor · NPN vs PNP Sensor Outputs Explained

When NOT to specify the M8/M12/M18/M30 — and what to use instead

Detecting plastic, wood, liquid, or other non-metallic targets

Why not: This series is inductive (Sensing Method: Inductive), so it only responds to metal targets, not to plastic, liquid, wood, or other non-metallic materials.

Use instead: A capacitive proximity sensor, such as the RS series (M12/M18/M30) or the Q20 square capacitive switch, which are built to detect non-metallic dielectric targets.

Wiring directly into a high-impedance PLC input with no allowance for OFF-state leakage or a minimum holding current

Why not: As a 2-wire DC device, this sensor is wired in series with the load, so it inherently passes a small residual current in the OFF state and needs a minimum load current to keep its own control circuit powered - and the exact residual-current and minimum-load-current figures are not listed in the current spec table for this series.

Use instead: A 3-wire DC sensor from this site (e.g. the Q25/Q30/Q40 or Q17/Q18C square inductive series), where the output switches independently of the load current path.

Embedding a non-flush (T) model flush with surrounding metal to save space

Why not: Non-flush (T) mount versions in this family need a metal-free clearance zone around the sensing face to reach their rated sensing distance, per the flush/non-flush guidance for this series.

Use instead: The flush (P) mount version of the same body size, which is shielded for embedding level with surrounding metal (at a shorter rated sensing distance).

Sensing aluminum, brass, copper, or other non-ferrous targets at the full rated sensing distance

Why not: The published sensing-distance figures (e.g. M8 1-4mm, M30 10-25mm) are not qualified with a non-ferrous correction factor in the current spec table, so actual distance to non-ferrous metal is not confirmed.

Use instead: Confirm the non-ferrous correction factor with the factory before specifying for aluminum/brass/copper targets, or size the mounting position with extra margin.

Machine guarding or personnel-safety interlocking

Why not: This is a standard non-contact metal-detection sensor with no safety rating or safety category listed in its specifications.

Use instead: a dedicated safety interlock switch (e.g. the DX-series safety door switch) or a safety light curtain

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.

  • Non-ferrous correction factor for aluminum/brass/copper targets
  • MTBF (mean time between failures)
  • Housing material
  • Minimum load current / OFF-state residual (leakage) current for the 2-wire circuit
  • Full cable/connector pinout beyond the BN/BU 2-wire color code (e.g. connector variants)
  • Certification status (CE/UL/RoHS, etc.)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the operating voltage range for this proximity sensor series?
10-30VDC, per the DC parameter table for this series.
How is a 2-wire DC inductive proximity sensor wired?
It is wired in series with the load between the supply positive and the load: the brown (BN) wire goes to the positive supply, and the blue (BU) wire connects through the load back to positive, per the DC 2-wire wiring diagram for this series.
What is the difference between flush (P) and non-flush (T) mount versions?
Flush-mount (P) sensors are shielded and can be installed flush with surrounding metal without false triggering, but have a shorter sensing distance for a given barrel size. Non-flush (T) sensors achieve a longer sensing distance for the same barrel size but require a metal-free clearance area around the sensing face.
What sensing distances are available in this series?
From 1mm (M8, flush) up to 25mm (M30, non-flush), with graded options in between for M8, M12, M18, and M30 — see the selection guide for the full breakdown by size and mount type.
What is the protection rating (IP rating) of these sensors?
IP67, per the DC parameter table for this series.
What is the operating temperature range?
-25°C to +70°C, per the DC parameter table for this series.
Does this sensor have built-in short-circuit or surge protection?
Yes. It includes short-circuit protection, an overload current protection point of 120mA, and surge protection rated 1kV/1ms/1kΩ, per the DC parameter table for this series.
What is the standard cable length?
2m as standard; longer lengths are available on special request, per the DC parameter table for this series.
Can I choose between normally-open and normally-closed output?
Yes. Each size/sensing-distance/mount combination is available with either NO output (D1) or NC output (D2), as shown across the full model list for this series.
What is the difference in switching frequency between sizes?
Switching frequency generally decreases as sensing distance increases within the same barrel size — for example, the M8 1mm flush version switches at 2kHz, while the M8 4mm non-flush version switches at 800Hz. Exact values differ by size/mount/distance combination — see the selection guide.
Can you provide certification documents for this sensor?
Certification documents are available on request.

Works Well Together

On the same machine or line, M8/M12/M18/M30 is typically ordered together with: Photoelectric Sensors · Relay & Timer Modules · Laser Switch Sensors

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