FAQ - How to choose between an Inductive and a Capacitive sensor

Modified on Thu, 25 Sep at 12:32 PM

Q: What type of proximity sensor should I choose for my system?


A: Inductive for metals and Capacitive for non metals.


Inductive sensors are best when detecting metals like steel or aluminum; they offer short ranges, high reliability in dirty environments, and long durability but cannot detect non metals. 


Capacitive sensors can detect both metals and non metals such as plastic, glass, liquids, and powders, making them useful for level detection in tanks or silos, though they are more sensitive to dust and moisture.

For an specific proximity sensor series, please go to the "References" section. 



Date/Revision History

First review 09/24/2025 V1.0

Second review 09/25/2025 V1.1


Author: 

Hector Vega, Technical Support Engineer


References

Omron's Proximity Sensors


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