Farnell offers a wide variety of reed proximity sensors from leading manufacturers like STANDEX, Littelfuse, and Festo, with mounting options such as surface mount, through-hole, flange, and panel mount. These sensors are available with a wide sensing range from 3 mm to 140 mm and operating temperatures from -40°C to 150°C.
Reed proximity sensors consist of two ferromagnetic blades (reeds) housed in a hermetically sealed glass envelope but not in contact. When a magnet is brought near the reed switch, the two reeds adopt opposite magnetic polarities and are drawn together, closing the switch. When the magnetic field weakens or disappears, the reeds separate due to an elastic spring effect, reopening the switch.
Reed proximity sensors are widely used in various domestic and industrial/building automation applications. They can detect the drum position in washing machines, monitor the end position or movement of hydraulic/pneumatic cylinders, and sense the opening and closing of doors, gates, or windows. To learn more about proximity sensors for industrial applications, please read our comprehensive guide for proximity sensors.
