Product Description

E18-B03N1 is a diffuse reflective photoelectric sensor (photoelectric switch) ideal for non-contact object detection in DIY projects, small production lines, part counting, or passage/position detection. It runs directly from 6–36 VDC and provides a NPN output, Normally Open (NO) contact—easy to integrate into automation, controllers, or microcontrollers.

The sensing distance is adjustable (via sensitivity trim). Behavior naturally varies with the target’s color/reflectivity: light/reflective objects are detected farther away than dark/matte ones.

Technical Details

• Model: E18-B03N1
• Supply: 6–36 VDC
• Max output current: 300 mA
• Sensing distance (adjustable):
  • 0–30 cm for white/reflective surfaces
  • 2–25 cm for black/dark surfaces
• Output type: NPN / NO (Normally Open)
• Typical wiring (3 wires): brown = +V, blue = GND, black = OUT
• Use cases: object/passage detection, counting, positioning, simple feedback in automation

Note: performance depends on the target’s color, texture, and size, as well as the sensitivity setting.

Sample Schematic and Code (Arduino)

Purpose: read the sensor’s NPN output with an Arduino at 5 V.

Connections (typical – NPN open-collector output):

• Brown (V+) → 12 V (or any stable 6–36 VDC source)
• Blue (GND) → 12 V supply GND and Arduino GND (common ground)
• Black (OUT) → Arduino digital pin D2
• In software, enable the internal pull-up resistor (or use an external 10 kΩ to +5 V).
  When the sensor detects an object, OUT is pulled to GND ⇒ D2 reads LOW.

// E18-B03N1 – read on D2 with internal pull-up

const int SENSOR_PIN = 2;

void setup() {

  pinMode(SENSOR_PIN, INPUT_PULLUP);   // 5V pull-up

  Serial.begin(115200);

}

void loop() {

  bool object_detected = (digitalRead(SENSOR_PIN) == LOW); // LOW = active

  if (object_detected) {

    Serial.println("Object detected!");

  }

  delay(50);

}

Alternatively (isolation recommended if you are unsure of the output type): power the sensor at 12 V and route OUT through an optocoupler (e.g., PC817) to the Arduino. This eliminates the risk of accidentally applying >5 V to the MCU pin.

Package Contents

• 1× E18-B03N1 photoelectric switch sensor (NPN, NO)