SS950-24000 by Danaher

The SS950-24000 is an infrared light bar sensor produced by Danaher and supplied under the Timers and Controllers series. It employs a compact bar-shaped emitter to establish an optical field that detects objects passing through a conveyor path. The resulting presence signal feeds timers and controllers in automated machinery, enabling position verification and sequence control without physical contact. This noncontact detection method avoids mechanical wear associated with switches that must touch each passing object.

A beam spacing of 0.5 in determines the grid resolution across the light bar, so objects narrower than that gap may pass undetected. The sensor recognizes items up to 30 ft away and down to a minimum size of 1 in, accommodating wide conveyors and small package lines. Its optical circuit reacts within 27 ms, allowing position data to be delivered before fast-moving goods leave the field. Because production areas may contain intense lighting, the unit rejects ambient illumination up to 10,000 lx at a 5-degree incidence angle. This resistance to ambient light helps prevent false triggers caused by overhead lamps or sunlight entering the sensing area.

The infrared array uses GaAlAs emitters centered at a peak wavelength of 880 nm, which aligns with high detector sensitivity while remaining invisible to personnel. Continuous operation is supported at ambient temperatures up to 50 °C, so standard enclosure ventilation can provide adequate airflow under permitted conditions. The light bar has a cross section of 1.25 × 1.82 in, allowing it to fit beside guards or mounting rails without occupying excessive space. The unit has three front-panel LED indicators that show transmitter status and make operating conditions visible from a distance. Field-replaceable weld-debris shields protect the optical surfaces when airborne metal particles are present. These shields allow accumulated debris to be cleared from the optical path without removing the entire sensor assembly from its mounted position.