Omron Inductive Proximity Sensors — E2B & E2E
E2B and E2E are inductive proximity switches. They detect ferrous metal at a fixed distance and ignore everything else — no light beam, no reflector, no target colour to worry about. They are frequently listed alongside photoelectric sensors by mistake, so this page exists to keep them distinct: if you need a beam across a gap, that is photoelectric; if you need to sense a steel shaft entering a position, that is here.
Lifecycle status
Both families are in production; Omron China flags one specific E2B cable variant as discontinued
Omron's European product pages for E2B and E2E are live with full datasheets and E2E NEXT is listed as active at major distributors. One conflict is worth knowing: Omron China's FAQ marks E2B-M12KS02-WP-C1 2M as discontinued in favour of the -WZ cable variant, calling it a full functional replacement in the same dimensions — yet the European product page for the -WP variant is still live. Omron's discontinuation database returns no E2B records at all.
What to fit instead: E2B-M12KS02-WZ-C1 2M replaces the -WP cable variant per Omron China
Key specifications
- E2B is a threaded barrel in nickel-plated brass, with K for short body and L for long body, from M8 to M30
- E2B S-prefix codes (S02, S04) are shielded at 2 mm and 4 mm; N-prefix codes (N05, N08) are non-shielded at 5 mm and 8 mm
- E2B cable codes: WP is 0.141 mm² with 0.85 mm insulation, WZ is the heavier 0.3 mm² with 1.3 mm insulation
- E2E covers unthreaded C-type and threaded X-type barrels from 0.8 mm to 20 mm sensing, with IP67, IP67G and IP69K variants and a 2 kHz response on the M8 short body
- E2E output letters: B is PNP open collector, C is NPN open collector, D is DC 2-wire, T is AC/DC 2-wire and Y is AC 2-wire
- Mounting nuts and, where needed, Y92E brackets are supplied — the E39-L bracket range used by the photoelectric families does not fit these
How to read an E2B or E2E model number
The decisive choices are whether it is shielded (which sets the sensing distance) and whether the output is PNP or NPN.
| Element | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| E2B-M12-KS02-WP-C1 2M | M12 thread, short body, shielded, 2 mm, pre-wired PVC, NPN normally-open, 2 m | The full decode, left to right |
| M12 / M18 / M8 / M30 | Thread size | M12 is the most common panel size |
| K / L | Short body / long body | L gives extra clearance behind the panel |
| S02 / S04 / N05 / N08 | Shielded 2/4 mm, non-shielded 5/8 mm | S = shielded gives the closer, narrower detection |
| B / C | PNP / NPN open collector | C is NPN |
| 1 / 2 | Normally open / normally closed | 1 is the usual choice for a start input |
| WP / WZ | Cable cross-section | WZ is the heavier 0.3 mm² cable for long runs or vibration |
| 2M / 5M | Cable length in metres | MC suffix means an M8 connector instead |
On E2E the R in a distance code is a decimal point, so 1R5 means 1.5 mm. Position 3 blank means shielded and M means non-shielded — the opposite convention to E2B.
Where these parts get used
- Cylinder position detection on a pneumatic axis where the piston rod is steel and the target is fixed
- Steel bin or chute presence sensing where a photoelectric beam would be defeated by dust or the material colour
- Machine-tool spindle or tool-break detection at short range where repeatability matters more than range
Which model do you need
- Choose shielded (S..) when the target is steel — you get a closer, more repeatable detection. Choose non-shielded (N..) only for stainless or a target set back from the face.
- Choose the -WZ cable variant rather than -WP for long cable runs, moving machines, or where the cable is repeatedly flexed.
- Choose 2-wire D or T models only where the controller input accepts them — a 2-wire sensor closes the circuit itself and gives no separate NC contact.
- Order Y92E brackets or plain clamping nuts for mounting; E39-L brackets from the photoelectric range are a different size and will not fit.
All 19 Omron Inductive Proximity Sensors SKUs
Every part number below links to its own page with full specifications, compatibility notes and stock status.
E2B-M12KN05-WZ-B1E2B-M12KN08-WZ-C2E2B-M12KS02-WP-C1 2ME2B-M12KS02-WZ-C1 2ME2B-M12KS04-M1-B1 2ME2B-M12KS04-WZ-B1E2B-M12KS04-WZ-B1 2ME2B-M18KS08-M1-B1E2B-S08KN04-MC-B1 2ME2B-S08KS02-MC-B1E2B-S08KS02-WP-C1 2ME2E-C03N02-WC-B1 2ME2E-S05S12-WC-B1E2E-X2D1-M1E2E-X2ME1E2E-X3D1-UE2E-X8B1D18-M1E2E-X8MD1E2E-X8MD1 2M
Frequently asked
What is the difference between an E2B and an E2E?
E2B is a heavier brass threaded barrel (nickel-plated brass, from M8 to M30, IP67) aimed at general machine mounting. E2E is the smaller, more sensitive family covering unthreaded C-type and threaded X-type barrels from 0.8 mm to 20 mm, with IP67G and IP69K variants and a 2 kHz response on the M8 short-body models.
What does shielded mean on these sensors?
A shielded sensor detects only metal inside its face, giving a short, repeatable sensing distance. A non-shielded sensor detects further and wider, but also picks up adjacent metal. On E2B, S codes are shielded and N codes are non-shielded.
Does E2B-M12KS02-WP-C1 2M have a M12 connector?
No. The C1 in that model number is part of the output code (NPN open collector), and the M12 refers to the thread size of the barrel. A unit with an actual M8 connector is marked with the MC suffix instead.
Is the E2B-M12KS02-WP-C1 2M discontinued?
Omron's China FAQ marks it discontinued in favour of the -WZ cable variant, describing that as a full functional replacement with the same dimensions. However the European product page for the -WP variant is still live and Omron's discontinuation database shows no E2B entries. If you need this specific part, confirm current status with us before ordering.
Can I use a 24 VDC supply for an E2E?
The E2E datasheet gives a rated supply of 12–24 VDC with an operating range of 10–30 VDC, so a 24 VDC supply is within range. Note that some E2E variants are AC 2-wire or AC/DC 2-wire models, which are not the same thing at all — check the output letter before connecting.
Specification sources
Specifications on this page were checked against Omron's own documentation. If a figure here disagrees with your datasheet, the datasheet wins — tell us and we will correct it.
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