TURCK Proximity Switch Sensor Bi15-M30-AP6X Bi15M30AP6X Bi15-M3O-AP6X

Turck Bi15-M30-AP6X | Inductive Proximity Sensor — 15mm, M30, PNP NO, 10–30VDC, Flush Mount, 300Hz, 2m Cable

Overview

The Turck Bi15-M30-AP6X is a flush-mountable inductive proximity sensor from Turck's Bi series, delivering a 15mm nominal sensing distance from an M30 cylindrical housing on a PNP normally open output.

It runs from 10 to 30V DC — covering both 12V and 24V DC control systems — draws up to 200mA through the load, and switches at up to 300Hz for detection of moderately fast-moving metallic targets.

The 2-metre pre-wired cable connects it directly to the machine's sensor harness without requiring a separate field connector.

Fifteen millimetres from a flush-mount M30 sensor is the specific combination this model is built for.

Flush mounting means the sensor face sits level with or recessed into the metal bracket, which protects the sensing face from mechanical impact by passing targets and allows installation in tight cavities where a non-flush sensor's protruding face would contact the target or surrounding structure.

The 15mm sensing distance provides the clearance needed between the mounted sensor and the detected target's approach path — enough margin for target variation, vibration, and the tolerance stack in the machine's mechanical design.

The PNP (sourcing) output is compatible with the PNP-input PLC card standard widely used in European machine design.

When a metallic target enters the sensing field, the output transistor turns on and sources current to the connected load — PLC input, relay coil, or indicator — from the positive supply rail through the load to the common return.

Key Specifications

Flush Mount at M30 — The Mechanical Advantage

Flush-mountable sensors like the Bi15-M30-AP6X carry their electromagnetic sensing field tightly in front of the sensing face, projecting minimally to the sides.

This field geometry is achieved by the shielding integrated into the sensor body — the conductive ring around the sensor face focuses the field forward and suppresses lateral projection, allowing the sensor to be surrounded by metal on all sides except the face without losing sensitivity.

The practical result is installation flexibility that non-flush sensors do not offer: the Bi15-M30-AP6X can be threaded into a steel bracket and locked with the provided hex nut with the face flush to the surface, protecting it from being struck by a passing pallet, workpiece, or chain.

On conveyor lines, pallet transfer systems, and press tooling where the sensing point is in the path of moving heavy components, flush mounting is not a convenience — it is the specification that keeps the sensor physically intact across the machine's production life.

The M30 × 1.5mm thread is a standard metric thread format accommodating the lock nut hardware common in European-standard machine designs and compatible with Turck's full range of M30 mounting accessories.

300Hz Switching Frequency and Load Current

Three hundred hertz corresponds to a switching cycle of approximately 3.3ms — adequate for detecting targets moving at moderate conveyor speeds or passing machined features at typical feed rates.

For a 15mm target passing the sensor face on a conveyor at 1 m/s, 300Hz provides approximately four detection cycles during the target's passage — more than enough for reliable edge detection and stable output switching.

The 200mA maximum load current covers standard PLC input loads (typically 5–20mA), small relay coils (20–100mA), and indicator lamps directly. Current-hungry loads above 200mA require an interposing relay rather than direct connection to the sensor output.

FAQ

Q1: Is the Bi15-M30-AP6X the same as the Bi15-M30-AP6X-H1141?

The H1141 suffix identifies the specific cable and connector variant. Bi15-M30-AP6X is the base part number that describes the sensor's electrical and mechanical specification: 15mm sensing, M30, PNP NO, 10–30V DC.

The H1141 designation specifies the particular cable version — in this case a pre-assembled 2-metre cable. Both refer to the same sensor design.

When ordering, confirm the full part number including the cable/connector suffix to ensure the correct connection style for your installation.

Q2: Can the Bi15-M30-AP6X detect stainless steel or aluminium targets?

Yes, with a reduced effective sensing distance. Inductive sensors respond to all electrically conductive metals, but the sensing distance is rated for standard ferrous iron targets.

For stainless steel, the effective distance is typically 60–80% of the iron rating; for aluminium and brass, it falls further to approximately 30–50%. If the detected target is non-ferrous, verify the achievable sensing distance for that material from Turck's correction factor data and adjust the mounting position accordingly.

Q3: What is the difference between the Bi15-M30-AP6X (flush) and a non-flush M30 sensor with 15mm sensing distance?

A non-flush (unshielded) M30 sensor projects its electromagnetic field beyond the sensing face and to the sides, which provides greater sensing distance for a given body size but cannot be mounted surrounded by metal — the surrounding metal absorbs the field and reduces or eliminates detection.

The Bi15-M30-AP6X's flush design focuses the field forward, enabling metal bracket installation at the cost of limiting the sensing distance to 15mm rather than the 20–22mm an unshielded M30 might achieve in open air.

Q4: The LED indicator — what does it indicate?

The single LED on the Bi15-M30-AP6X illuminates when the output is in the active (ON) state — target detected, output transistor conducting.

It is an output status indicator, not a power indicator. A lit LED confirms both that a target is within the sensing field and that the output is conducting — useful for setup verification and quick troubleshooting on a live machine without needing a separate voltmeter.

Q5: What protective circuits does the Bi15-M30-AP6X include?

Turck's Bi series inductive sensors include protection against polarity reversal of the supply connections and short circuits on the output — the sensor will not be damaged by a brief output wire shorting to common or by incorrect supply polarity during installation.

These protections reduce installation error risk and eliminate the need for external series protection components in standard machine wiring. Sustained short circuits or sustained reverse polarity beyond the sensor's transient tolerance will cause damage, so resolve wiring errors promptly.