DX-C1 Magnetic Coded Safety Switch

Non-contact coded-magnet safety switch with 17 mm sensing range and high misalignment tolerance for guard doors.

▶ Watch it in action: Safety Light Curtain + Guard-Locking Door Switch Interlock — Wiring Demo

Technical Specifications

Output typeMagnetic reed-type contact: 2C = two NC contacts / 1C1O = one NC + one NO contact / 2O = two NO contacts
Connection typeA = direct 2 m pre-wired cable / B = quick-disconnect (aviation-style) connector
Sensing distanceUp to 17 mm in the Z direction and Y direction
Ingress protectionIP65 (IP67/IP68 available on custom order)
Safety design levelISO 13849-1, designed for use in circuits up to PLe / Cat. 4
Working principleMultiple magnetically sensitive elements triggered in a defined sequence; multiple switches can be connected in series

Overview

DX-C1 is a two-part non-contact safety switch consisting of a sensor head and a coded-magnet actuator, mounted on the fixed frame and the movable guard respectively. Inside the sensor, multiple magnetically sensitive elements must be triggered in a defined sequence for the switch to operate — a plain magnet placed against the sensor will not actuate it.

It outputs through contacts in three configurations (2 NC / 1 NC + 1 NO / 2 NO) and is intended for machine builders and panel integrators who need to monitor the position of hinged doors, sliding guards, or removable guard panels as part of a machine safety circuit, typically feeding a safety relay or safety PLC.

Features & Benefits

Coded-magnet actuation resists simple defeat

Multiple magnetically sensitive elements inside the switch must be triggered in a defined sequence before it will operate; a single ordinary magnet placed against the housing does not actuate it, which is the key difference from a plain reed-type door magnet.

Large 17 mm sensing range with high misalignment tolerance

Sensing distance up to 17 mm in both the Z and Y directions gives generous installation and operating tolerance, so the switch continues to actuate reliably even when a guard door has sagged, the track has worn, or the panel is slightly out of alignment.

Three contact output configurations for flexible circuit design

Available as 2 NC (two normally closed), 1 NC + 1 NO, or 2 NO, so integrators can wire dual-NC channels straight into a safety relay while using an NO contact for status/PLC indication, matched to the specific safety circuit design.

Designed for use in circuits up to PLe / Cat. 4 per ISO 13849-1

The switch is CE marked and designed for use in safety circuits rated up to Performance Level e, Category 4 under ISO 13849-1, suitable for high-demand guard interlocking applications when combined with an appropriately rated safety relay or logic solver.

Series connection reduces wiring for multi-door lines

Multiple DX-C1 switches can be connected in series, allowing several guard doors on a line to be monitored through a single safety relay input, cutting the number of I/O points and cable runs.

Two connection styles to match maintenance workflow

Available with a 2 m pre-wired cable (A version) or a quick-disconnect connector (B version), so a failed switch on the B version can be swapped without re-wiring the panel.

Sealed, flame-retardant IP65 housing

The switch body is molded from flame-retardant thermoplastic and rated IP65 as standard, with IP67/IP68 available on request for wash-down or heavier contamination environments; the non-contact sensing design has no exposed mechanical contacts or plug apertures where dirt can accumulate on the sensing face.

Applications

Hinged access door position monitoring — A slight sag or installation misalignment on a hinged access door does not affect detection, since the 17 mm sensing distance and high misalignment tolerance are designed for this kind of application.
Sliding guard door interlocking — The non-contact structure avoids the wear-related failures of mechanical sliding contacts, while coded-magnet actuation prevents simple defeat with an ordinary magnet.
Removable guard panel monitoring — No mechanical alignment precision is required, and the large installation tolerance suits panels that are frequently removed and refitted.
Multi-door production line safety circuits — Multiple switches can be connected in series so several guard doors share a single safety relay input, simplifying control-cabinet wiring.
Retrofitting machines with vibration or misalignment issues — The high misalignment tolerance reduces the on-site labor needed to repeatedly re-adjust switch position on older or vibration-prone equipment.
Panels requiring quick switch replacement without downtime — The B version's quick-disconnect connector supports plug-in replacement on lines where fast switch swaps are needed.
Safety circuits paired with a safety relay — The 2 NC contact output wires directly into the dual-channel monitoring input of a safety relay, such as the manufacturer's own DQSRN/DA31 series.

Models & Ordering Information

A version — 2 m pre-wired cable

DX-C1-2O-P1ADX-C1-1C1O-P1ADX-C1-2C-P1A
2O = 2 NO contacts; 1C1O = 1 NC + 1 NO; 2C = 2 NC contacts.

B version — quick-disconnect connector

DX-C1-2O-P1BDX-C1-1C1O-P1BDX-C1-2C-P1B
2O = 2 NO contacts; 1C1O = 1 NC + 1 NO; 2C = 2 NC contacts.

How to Select

  1. Choose 2C (two NC contacts) when both channels need to be normally closed for direct connection to the dual-channel monitoring input of a safety relay — the standard configuration for a safety circuit.
  2. Choose 1C1O (one NC + one NO) when one normally closed channel feeds the safety circuit and the normally open channel is used for door-position status feedback to a PLC or controller.
  3. Choose 2O (two NO contacts) for non-safety position detection/status indication applications; whether it can be used in a safety circuit depends on the specific safety-level requirement and is not separately specified by the manufacturer.
  4. Choose the A version (2 m pre-wired cable) for fixed installations that are not frequently removed.
  5. Choose the B version (quick-disconnect connector) when fast switch replacement with minimal re-wiring and downtime is needed.
  6. The standard IP65 rating covers general industrial environments; for wash-down, dust, or higher-moisture environments, request the custom IP67/IP68 option.
  7. If the guard door sags slightly, vibrates, or has installation misalignment, the 17 mm (Z/Y direction) sensing distance and high misalignment tolerance reduce the risk of nuisance stops without extra mechanical fine-adjustment.
  8. For single-point position monitoring, one switch paired with a safety relay is sufficient; for multi-door lines, multiple DX-C1 switches can be connected in series to share a single safety relay input.

📘 Need the full method? How to Choose a Safety Door Switch / Interlock

When NOT to specify the DX-C1 — and what to use instead

The guard must remain physically locked shut while the machine coasts down or retains stored energy after the stop command.

Why not: DX-C1 is a position-monitoring switch only -- it has no locking mechanism, so it cannot hold the door closed once it is unlatched.

Use instead: DX-D6 guard-locking safety-door switch, or a DX-W2/DX-W3/DX-W5 solenoid door lock

Operators are likely to attempt bypass with a substitute actuator and the risk assessment calls for the highest coding/tamper-resistance level.

Why not: DX-C1's coded-magnet actuation resists a plain magnet, but the published spec does not classify it to an ISO 14119 coding level (Low/High), unlike the RFID-coded DX-R1, which is explicitly offered in a uniquely-coded (D, High level coded) version.

Use instead: DX-R1 non-contact safety switch, D (uniquely coded) version

The safety function must be formally validated (SISTEMA/PFHd calculation) or a specific certificate number cited in the machine's technical file.

Why not: DX-C1 is only described as designed for use in circuits up to PLe/Cat.4 under ISO 13849-1; no PFHd/B10d/MTTFd figures or certificate number are published, and certification documents are supplied only on request.

Use instead: Request the certification package from the factory before specifying, and validate the complete circuit together with a DA31 or DQSRN safety relay

The guard door is exposed to washdown, coolant spray, or heavy dust beyond general industrial conditions.

Why not: Standard DX-C1 units are rated IP65; IP67/IP68 is only available as a custom order, not a stocked catalog option.

Use instead: Order the custom IP67/IP68 DX-C1 variant, or specify the standard-IP67 DX-D2/DX-D3 mechanical switch

The circuit needs a documented electrical contact rating (voltage/current) or a published mechanical/electrical cycle life to size the downstream relay or estimate service life.

Why not: DX-C1's datasheet gives sensing distance, output configuration, and IP rating, but does not publish a contact voltage/current rating or a mechanical/electrical operations count.

Use instead: DX-D2/DX-D3, which publish Ui 400V/Ith 8A/Ue AC400V/Ie 2A ratings and a 1,000,000/300,000 mechanical/electrical life

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.

  • Sensor operating voltage and power/current draw
  • Response (switching) time
  • Overall housing dimensions and mounting-hole pattern
  • PFHd / B10d / MTTFd reliability figures
  • Certificate number and scope for the CE / ISO 13849-1 design basis
  • Electrical contact rating (voltage/current) of the reed-type contacts
  • Approach speed / minimum safety-distance guidance for ISO 13855 calculations

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes DX-C1 different from a simple magnetic door sensor?
DX-C1 uses coded-magnet actuation — it contains multiple magnetically sensitive elements that must be triggered in a defined sequence before the switch will operate. A single ordinary magnet held against the housing will not actuate it, unlike a basic reed-type door sensor.
What is the maximum sensing distance of DX-C1?
The sensing distance is up to 17 mm in both the Z direction and the Y direction, giving relatively high tolerance for misalignment between the sensor and the actuator magnet.
What contact output configurations are available?
Three configurations: 2 NC (two normally closed), 1 NC + 1 NO (one normally closed, one normally open), and 2 NO (two normally open), selectable at the time of ordering via the model code.
Can multiple DX-C1 switches be wired together?
Yes. Multiple DX-C1 switches can be connected in series, allowing several guard doors to be monitored through a single safety relay input.
What safety performance level is DX-C1 designed for?
DX-C1 is CE marked and designed for use in safety circuits up to Performance Level e, Category 4 per ISO 13849-1. The achieved performance level of the overall safety function depends on the complete circuit design, including the safety relay/logic solver and wiring, not the switch alone.
What ingress protection rating does DX-C1 have?
IP65 as standard; IP67 or IP68 versions are available on a custom-order basis.
What connection options are available — cable or connector?
DX-C1 is offered in an "A" version with a 2 m pre-wired cable, and a "B" version with a quick-disconnect (aviation-style) plug for faster replacement without re-wiring.
Does DX-C1 lock the guard door, or only monitor its position?
DX-C1 only monitors door position — it does not provide mechanical locking. For applications requiring the guard to be locked closed, a different product in the same safety-door-lock family (DX-D6) is used instead.
How many DX-C1 model variants are offered?
Six model variants, combining three contact configurations (2C / 1C1O / 2O) with two connection types (A: 2 m cable / B: quick-disconnect plug).
What housing material is DX-C1 made from?
A flame-retardant thermoplastic housing, rated IP65 as standard.
Is DX-C1 certified to a specific safety standard?
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: Safety Relays · Safety Light Curtains · Safety Mats

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