Q17 / Q18C Square Inductive Proximity Sensor

Name: Q17 / Q18C Square Inductive Proximity Sensor
Brand: DAIDISIKE
SKU: q17-q18c-square-inductive-proximity-sensor
Availability: InStock

Square-housing inductive proximity sensor, 5mm/8mm sensing distance, NPN/PNP NO/NC for metal detection.

Q17 / Q18C Square Inductive Proximity Sensor - dimensional drawing

🔍 Click to enlarge · 1/6

Technical Specifications

Sensing method	Inductive
Housing shape	Square (Q17 / Q18C)
Output type	NPN / PNP
Contact logic	Normally Open (NO) / Normally Closed (NC)
Sensing distance	5 mm / 8 mm
Wiring	3-wire (DC)
Housing material	PBT
Q17 dimensions	17 x 17 x 28 mm
Q17 cable outlet diameter	4 mm
Q17 indicator	Front-mounted LED status indicator

Overview

Q17 and Q18C are square-body inductive proximity switches that sense the presence of metallic objects without physical contact, using a 3-wire DC connection. They are intended for machine builders, panel integrators, and OEMs who need a compact, flat-mount metal-detection switch for position sensing, end-of-travel detection, or object-presence confirmation on automation equipment, as an alternative to round (cylindrical M8/M12/M18) proximity sensors where a flat mounting face or slimmer footprint is preferred.

Both series offer a 5 mm or 8 mm sensing distance, with NPN or PNP output and normally-open (NO) or normally-closed (NC) switching logic all selectable via the model code. The Q17 body measures 17 x 17 x 28 mm and includes a front-mounted LED status indicator and a 4mm-diameter cable outlet, while both series use a PBT plastic housing per the manufacturer's selection chart.

Features & Benefits

Selectable NPN/PNP output

Both Q17 and Q18C are available in NPN and PNP output versions, letting you match the sensor to your PLC's sinking or sourcing input requirements without extra interface hardware.

Selectable NO/NC switching logic

Both series are offered in normally-open (NO) and normally-closed (NC) versions, so the switch output can be configured for either "signal on detection" or "signal on absence" control logic at the point of ordering.

Two sensing-distance options (5mm / 8mm)

Each series offers a 5 mm and an 8 mm sensing-distance variant, giving a choice between closer, more precise detection and a larger working gap for looser mechanical tolerances.

Compact square housing for flat-face mounting

The Q17 body measures 17x17x28 mm with a front/side sensing face and a 4mm-diameter cable outlet, suiting installations where a flat mounting surface is preferred over a round-body sensor.

Built-in LED indicator

The Q17 housing includes a visible LED status indicator on the front face, allowing on-site technicians to visually confirm switching state without a multimeter.

PBT housing material

According to the selection chart, both Q17 and Q18C use a PBT (polybutylene terephthalate) housing, a durable engineering plastic commonly used for industrial sensor enclosures.

Clear, standardized wiring color code

The 3-wire DC wiring diagram uses a consistent BN (brown) / BK (black) / BU (blue) color code across the NPN/PNP x NO/NC combinations, simplifying field wiring and troubleshooting.

Applications

Machine-tool and CNC limit/position sensing — 3-wire DC inductive switches with NO/NC selection are a standard fit for detecting slide, spindle, or fixture position on metal machine components.

Conveyor and packaging line metal object detection — Non-contact 5/8mm sensing distance suits detecting metal parts, pucks, or fixtures passing a fixed sensing point on a line.

End-of-travel / cylinder or slide position confirmation — Compact square body and short sensing distance are suited to confirming a metal target (bracket, dog, flag) has reached a defined travel position.

Automated assembly and pick-and-place fixture presence check — Selectable NO/NC output lets the sensor be wired to confirm either "part present" or "part absent" logic directly into a PLC input.

Panel and equipment door/guard metal-target sensing — Flat square housing allows surface mounting against machine frames where a round-body sensor bracket is impractical.

Retrofit/replacement of existing NPN or PNP proximity switches — Matching NPN/PNP output options let the sensor be swapped into existing control wiring without rewiring the PLC input card.

General metal-part counting or presence detection in production equipment — Reliable non-contact detection of metallic targets is the core function of an inductive proximity switch, applicable wherever metal parts pass a fixed detection point.

Models & Ordering Information

Q17 Series (5mm sensing distance)

Q1705N1Q1705P1Q1705N2Q1705P2

Q17 Series (8mm sensing distance)

Q1708N1Q1708P1Q1708N2Q1708P2

Q18C Series (5mm sensing distance)

Q18C05N1Q18C05P1Q18C05N2Q18C05P2

Q18C Series (8mm sensing distance)

Q18C08N1Q18C08P1Q18C08N2Q18C08P2

Naming rule: Q17/Q18C + sensing distance (05/08 mm) + N/P (NPN/PNP) + 1/2 (NO/NC). Example: Q1705N1 = Q17 series, 5mm sensing distance, NPN output, normally open (NO).

How to Select

Choose sensing distance by installation tolerance: 5mm (model code "05", e.g. Q1705N1, Q18C05N1) suits applications needing closer, more precise target positioning or limited installation clearance; 8mm (model code "08", e.g. Q1708N1, Q18C08N1) suits applications with looser mechanical tolerance between the target and the sensor.
Choose output type by PLC input polarity: N = NPN (sinking output, for sinking-type PLC input cards), P = PNP (sourcing output, for sourcing-type PLC input cards).
Choose contact logic by control logic needs: model number "1" = normally open (NO, output signals when a metal target is detected), model number "2" = normally closed (NC, output signals when no target is detected), which suits safety/interlock-type applications.
Choose housing series by mounting preference: Q17 is 17x17x28 mm with a front-mounted LED indicator and front/side sensing face and 4mm cable outlet; Q18C housing dimensions should be confirmed against the latest factory drawing/sample at the time of selection.
All models use a 3-wire DC connection; refer to the manufacturer's wiring diagram for the BN (brown) / BK (black) / BU (blue) color code matching your chosen NPN/PNP x NO/NC combination.

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

When NOT to specify the Q17 — and what to use instead

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

Why not: Q17 and Q18C are inductive proximity switches, which sense only metallic targets.

Use instead: A capacitive proximity sensor such as the Q20 square capacitive switch or the RS series.

Washdown, high-dust, or wet environments

Why not: No ingress protection (IP) rating is published in the current spec table for the Q17/Q18C series.

Use instead: Confirm the IP rating with the factory, or use the Q25/Q30/Q40 square series, which is documented IP67.

Locations with cold starts or wide ambient temperature swings

Why not: No operating temperature range is published for the Q17/Q18C series in the current spec table.

Use instead: Confirm the operating temperature range with the factory, or use the M8/M12/M18/M30 DC 2-wire series, documented for -25C to +70C.

Finalizing a mounting bracket or panel cutout to the Q18C's exact external dimensions

Why not: Only the Q17 body (17x17x28mm) is dimensioned in the current spec table; the Q18C housing dimensions are explicitly flagged as needing confirmation against the latest factory drawing.

Use instead: Request the current Q18C dimension drawing from the factory before finalizing bracket or cutout design.

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.

Q18C housing dimensions
Operating/supply voltage range
Ingress protection (IP) rating
Operating temperature range
Switching frequency / response time
Short-circuit and overload protection
Non-ferrous correction factor
Certification status (CE/UL/RoHS, etc.)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the sensing distance of the Q17 and Q18C inductive proximity switches?

Both the Q17 and Q18C series are available in 5 mm and 8 mm sensing-distance variants, selectable at the time of ordering via the model code (e.g., "05" or "08").

What output types are available, NPN or PNP?

Both series offer NPN and PNP output versions. NPN suits sinking-type PLC inputs; PNP suits sourcing-type PLC inputs.

Can I choose between normally-open (NO) and normally-closed (NC) switching logic?

Yes. Both Q17 and Q18C are available in NO (model suffix "1") and NC (model suffix "2") versions.

What connection type do these sensors use?

They use a 3-wire DC connection, with BN (brown) / BK (black) / BU (blue) color-coded wiring per the manufacturer's wiring diagram.

What is the housing material?

According to the selection chart, both Q17 and Q18C use a PBT (polybutylene terephthalate) plastic housing.

What are the physical dimensions of the Q17 sensor?

Per the dimension drawing, the Q17 body measures 17 mm (W) x 17 mm (H) x 28 mm (L), with a front-mounted LED indicator and a 4mm-diameter cable outlet.

What does the model number mean, e.g. Q1705N1?

The model code follows: series (Q17/Q18C) + sensing distance in mm (05/08) + output type (N=NPN, P=PNP) + switching logic (1=NO, 2=NC). Q1705N1 is therefore Q17 series, 5mm sensing distance, NPN output, normally open.

How is the Q17/Q18C different from a cylindrical (round) inductive proximity switch?

The Q17/Q18C use a square/rectangular housing rather than a round threaded barrel, which suits flat-face mounting arrangements where a round-body sensor's threaded bushing is not preferred.

What are typical applications for these sensors?

As non-contact metal-detection switches, they are typically applied to position/limit sensing, metal-part detection on lines, and end-of-travel confirmation in industrial automation equipment.

Are certification documents available for the Q17/Q18C?

Certification documents are available on request.