Panasonic FX-301 Series

The Panasonic FX-301 Series is a range of photoelectric and digital fiber sensors designed for industrial applications. This instruction manual provides comprehensive details on its function, technical specifications, usage, and maintenance.

Function Description

The FX-301 Series sensors are primarily used for sensing applications in industrial environments. They feature a digital display that shows incident light intensity, sub-modes, and settings, along with various indicators for operation, stability, and different modes (RUN, TEACH, ADJ, L/D, TIMER, PRO). The device allows for precise threshold value adjustment, output operation selection (Light-ON or Dark-ON), and configurable timer functions. It also incorporates an interference prevention function, allowing multiple units to be mounted adjacently without mutual interference.

Modes of Operation:

RUN Mode: Normal sensing operation, displaying incident light intensity and the current threshold value.
TEACH Mode: Used for setting the threshold value through "2-point teaching," "limit teaching," or "full-auto teaching."
- 2-point teaching: Sets the threshold based on both object present and object absent conditions, with the threshold value set halfway between the two incident light intensities.
- Limit teaching: Sets the threshold value for the object absent condition only, useful for detecting objects in the presence of a background or small objects. The shift amount for the threshold can be adjusted.
- Full-auto teaching: Sets the threshold value without stopping the assembly line, by continuously pressing the jog switch while the sensor samples incident light.
ADJ Mode: Allows for fine adjustment of the threshold value, increasing or decreasing sensitivity.
L/D Mode: Configures the output operation to either Light-ON or Dark-ON.
TIMER Mode: Configures various timer operations including no timer, one-shot timer, ON-delay timer, and OFF-delay timer. The timer interval can be set in PRO1 mode.
PRO Mode: Provides access to various detailed settings organized into sub-modes (PRO1, PRO2, PRO3, PRO4, PRO5).
- PRO1: Includes settings for response time (Ultra high speed, Fast, Reduced intensity, Standard, Long-range), timer delay functions (ON-delay, OFF-delay, One-shot), hysteresis (Small, Standard, Large), margin width (±5%, ±10%, ±15%), shift for limit teaching (0-80% in 5% increments), and emission level (Level 1 to 4, or emission halt).
- PRO2: Controls digital display settings (incident light intensity, percent above threshold, peak hold, bottom hold), digital display inversion, and ECO mode (ON/OFF).
- PRO3: Manages data bank load and save settings.
- PRO4: Offers settings for copying conditions, remote data bank load/save, communication lock, and backup.
- PRO5: Includes code setting, adjust lock, and reset functions.

Important Technical Specifications

Supply Voltage: 12 to 24V DC ± 10% (Ripple P-P 10% or less).
Power Consumption:
- Normal operation: 960mW or less (Current consumption 40mA or less at 24V supply voltage).
- ECO mode: 600mW or less (Current consumption 25mA or less at 24V supply voltage).
Output:
- NPN Output Type (FX-301, FX-301-C1): NPN open-collector transistor, maximum sink current 100mA, applied voltage 30V DC or less (between output and 0V), residual voltage 1.5V or less (at 100mA sink current).
- PNP Output Type (FX-301P, FX-301P-C1): PNP open-collector transistor, maximum source current 100mA, applied voltage 30V DC or less (between output and +V), residual voltage 1.5V or less (at 100mA source current).
- Output Operation: Light-ON or Dark-ON, selectable.
- Short-circuit Protection: Incorporated.
Response Time: Selectable in PRO1 mode.
- H-SP: 65µs or less.
- FAST: 150µs or less.
- S-D: 250µs or less.
- STD: 250µs or less.
- LONG: 2ms or less.
Display: 4-digit red LED display.
Sensitivity Setting: 2-point teaching, limit teaching, full-auto teaching, manual adjustment.
Sensitivity Adjustment Function: Incorporated.
Timer Function: Incorporated. Available modes: off, ON-delay, OFF-delay, ONE-SHOT timer. Timer interval range: approx. 0.5 to 9999ms.
Interference Prevention Function: Incorporated. Up to four fibers can be mounted adjacently. For H-SP response time, the maximum is two fibers.
Ambient Temperature:
- 1 to 3 units in cascade: -10 to +55°C.
- 4 to 7 units in cascade: -10 to +50°C.
- 8 to 16 units in cascade: -10 to +45°C.
- No dew condensation or icing allowed.
- Storage: -20 to +70°C.
Ambient Humidity: 35 to 85% RH. Storage: 35 to 85% RH.
Emitting Element: Red LED (modulated).
Material: Enclosure: Heat-resistant ABS. Transparent cover: Polycarbonate. Mode key: Acrylic. Jog switch: Heat-resistant ABS.
Cable: 0.3mm² 3-core cabtyre cable, 1m long.
Weight: Approx. 20g (sensor), Approx. 60g (cable type).
Accessory: FX-MB1 (Amplifier protection seal): 1 set.

Usage Features

Mounting: The amplifier can be easily mounted on a 35mm DIN rail by fitting the spring hook and pushing forward, then slipping the front part of the mounting section over the DIN rail. Removal involves pushing the amplifier forward and lifting the front part.
Fiber Cable Connection: Fibers are inserted into the amplifier after fitting attachments. The fiber lock lever is snapped down, cables are slowly inserted until they stop, and then the lever is returned to the original position. For coaxial reflective type fibers, specific inlets ("P" for single-core, "D" for multi-core) must be used to avoid performance deterioration.
Wiring: Quick-connection cables are used for wiring. Ensure the power supply is off during connection/disconnection. Align the projection with the groove and insert until it clicks. To disconnect, press the projection and gently pull.
Cascading: Up to 16 amplifiers can be connected in cascade on a DIN rail. Optional end plates (MS-DIN-E) are used to prevent movement. Sub cables (CN-71-C1, CN-71-C2, CN-71-C5) are used for connecting more than two amplifiers. When mounting modified and conventional version units, modified units should be placed to the right of conventional units as viewed from the connector side.
Navigation: The device uses a "MODE" key and a "jog switch" for navigation. The MODE key switches between modes and returns to RUN mode (long press). The jog switch confirms settings and navigates between sub-modes.
Key Lock Function: Prevents accidental changes to settings. Activated by pressing + jog switch for at least 2s in RUN mode. When locked, only threshold value confirmation and adjustment functions are valid.
Error Indication: Displays error codes (e.g., "Er-1" for short-circuit, "Er-5" for communication error in cascade) to indicate issues.

Maintenance Features

Cautions:
- Not for personnel protection.
- Wiring must be done with power off.
- Verify supply voltage is within rating.
- Avoid connecting to excessive voltage or AC power.
- Prevent incorrect wiring or short-circuiting.
- Ensure stable output after emitting level changes (wait at least 0.5s).
- Connect frame ground (F.G.) of power supply and noise-generating equipment to actual ground.
- Avoid running wires with high-voltage or power lines.
- Do not use during initial transient time (0.5s) after power supply switch-on.
- Suitable for indoor use only.
- Cable extension limits: up to 100m for single unit, 50m for 5-8 units in cascade, 20m for 9-16 units in cascade (use shortest possible wiring to reduce noise).
- Use optional quick-connection cables for connector type sensors.
- Avoid dust, dirt, steam, oil, grease, organic solvents, strong acid, or alkaline contact.
- Do not use in inflammable or explosive gas environments.
- Do not disassemble or modify the sensor.
Error Troubleshooting: The manual provides measures for displayed error codes, such as turning off power and checking the load for "Er-1," or checking amplifier contact for "Er-5."