Sensors
This page introduces KEYENCE’s lineup of N-bus–compatible and IO-Link–compatible sensors in addition to the supported networks and connection examples.
- N-bus–compatible sensor lineup
- IO-Link–compatible sensor lineup
- Connection example
- Network example
- Supported networks
- Typical connection example
N-bus–compatible sensor lineup
N-bus–compatible sensors
NU Series network communication units
IO-Link–compatible sensor lineup
IO-Link–compatible sensors
NQ Series network communication module
Connection example
NU Series network communication units can be used to connect N-bus–compatible devices.
- Using N-bus–compatible devices makes it possible to connect different models together.
- Up to 16 sensors can be connected to a single communication unit.
From left: NU-EP1, LV-N10, FS-N40, NU-EN8N
Network example
- A network-compatible unit or board is required for PLCs and PCs.
Supported networks
| Series | Field network | Other communication functions | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EtherNet/IP® |
DeviceNet® |
CC-Link | IO-Link | PROFINET |
PROFIBUS |
EtherCAT® |
Ethernet TCP/IP |
RS-232C RS-422A/485 |
|
| Fiberoptic Sensor FS-N40 Series/ FS-N Series |
Field network
✓
(NU-EP1) |
✓
(NU-DN1) |
✓
(NU-CL1) |
✓
(NQ Series) |
*2
|
*2
|
✓
(NU-EC1A) |
Other communication functions
—
|
—
|
| Laser Sensor LV-N Series |
Field network
✓
(NU-EP1) |
✓
(NU-DN1) |
✓
(NU-CL1) |
—
|
*2
|
*2
|
✓
(NU-EC1A) |
Other communication functions
—
|
—
|
| Photoelectric Sensor PS-N Series |
Field network
✓
(NU-EP1) |
✓
(NU-DN1) |
✓
(NU-CL1) |
—
|
*2
|
*2
|
✓
(NU-EC1A) |
Other communication functions
—
|
—
|
| Compact Digital CMOS Laser Sensor LR-X Series |
Field network
✓
(NU-EP1) |
✓
(NU-DN1) |
✓
(NU-CL1) |
✓
(NQ Series) |
*2
|
*2
|
✓
(NU-EC1A) |
Other communication functions
—
|
—
|
| Laser Sensor with Built-in Amplifier LR-T Series*1 |
Field network
✓
(NU-EP1) |
✓
(NU-DN1) |
✓
(NU-CL1) |
—
|
*2
|
*2
|
✓
(NU-EC1A) |
Other communication functions
—
|
—
|
| Photoelectric Sensor LR-W Series*1 |
Field network
✓
(NU-EP1) |
✓
(NU-DN1) |
✓
(NU-CL1) |
✓
(NQ Series) |
*2
|
*2
|
✓
(NU-EC1A) |
Other communication functions
—
|
—
|
| Self-contained CMOS Laser Sensor LR-Z Series |
Field network
—
|
—
|
—
|
✓
(NQ Series) |
—
|
—
|
—
|
Other communication functions
—
|
—
|
| Clamp-on Flow Sensor FD-H Series |
Field network
—
|
—
|
—
|
✓
(NQ Series) |
—
|
—
|
—
|
Other communication functions
—
|
—
|
| Flow Sensor FD-Q Series*1 |
Field network
✓
(NU-EP1) |
✓
(NU-DN1) |
✓
(NU-CL1) |
—
|
*2
|
*2
|
✓
(NU-EC1A) |
Other communication functions
—
|
—
|
| Flow Sensor FD-X Series |
Field network
✓
(NU-EP1) |
✓
(NU-DN1) |
✓
(NU-CL1) |
✓
(NQ Series) |
*2
|
*2
|
✓
(NU-EC1A) |
Other communication functions
—
|
—
|
| Pressure Sensor AP-N Series |
Field network
✓
(NU-EP1) |
✓
(NU-DN1) |
✓
(NU-CL1) |
—
|
*2
|
*2
|
✓
(NU-EC1A) |
Other communication functions
—
|
—
|
| Series | Field network | Other communication functions | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EtherNet/IP® |
DeviceNet® |
CC-Link | IO-Link | PROFINET |
PROFIBUS |
EtherCAT® |
Ethernet TCP/IP |
RS-232C RS-422A/485 |
|
| Multi-Sensor Controller MU-N Series |
Field network
✓
(NU-EP1) |
✓
(NU-DN1) |
✓
(NU-CL1) |
—
|
*2
|
*2
|
*2
|
Other communication functions
—
|
—
|
- Requires an MU-N Series Multi-Sensor Controller.
- Click here to contact KEYENCE regarding PROFINET, PROFIBUS, and EtherCAT® connections.
Typical connection example
Using an NU Series communication unit makes it possible to collect and manage various information from N-bus–compatible sensors. This allows for the construction of information systems for status monitoring, predictive maintenance, changeovers, production management, and more.
The following example includes network-connected sensors.
Preventing problems caused by dirty sensors
At worksites with harsh environments, the PLCs can be used for acquiring not only ON/OFF differentiation signals but also the received light intensity of sensors. This information can be used to establish a predictive maintenance system based on determining how dirty each sensor is.
N-bus–compatible sensors
