01
Object detection
Detect non-metal parts that an inductive proximity sensor cannot see.
ifm · Position & level sensing
ifm Capacitive Sensors
Detect non-metallic and metallic materials by their effect on an electric field. Capacitive sensors are especially useful for plastics, glass, wood, paper, powders and liquids—including detection through suitable non-metallic tank walls.
Non-metal + metalUp to 40 mm factory rangesIO-Link by familyTank / sight-glass mountingKQ10 continuous level
DetectionMany materialsMetallic and non-metallic targets
Factory rangeUp to 40 mmKF / KG / KI / KQ families
Level routeKQ10200 mm continuous external measurement
AdjustmentPot / teach / IO-LinkDepends on selected family
Factory & process applications
Capacitive sensing applications
Capacitive technology works where the target changes the electric field enough to be distinguished from the surrounding environment.
02
Powders & granules
Monitor product in hoppers, feeders and packaging processes when material properties are suitable.
03
Through plastic walls
Detect liquid through a compatible non-metallic tank, sight glass or mounting well without direct product contact.
04
KQ10
Mount outside a non-metal tank to obtain a 200 mm capacitive level range without contacting the medium.
Operating principle
Target permittivity changes the electric field
A capacitive sensor creates an electric field between its active electrode and the surrounding environment. A target entering that field changes capacitance. The electronics compare the change with the configured switching threshold.
Material effectDifferent dielectric constants change the usable sensing distance.
Through-wall sensingPossible through suitable non-metal tank walls or sight glasses when wall thickness and medium allow it.
Residue sensitivityBuild-up, moisture or changing material properties can shift the switching margin and must be considered.
Teach / visualisationCurrent KI/KQ routes provide easier threshold setting and IO-Link options on selected models.
Current capacitive routes
Select by housing, range and application
Factory-automation sensor families and continuous tank-level products should not be mixed into one specification.
| Family | Format | Current range guidance | Key fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| KF | M12 stainless / PEEK face | Up to 12 mm | Compact factory applications; flush and non-flush variants |
| KG | M18 plastic | Up to 30 mm | General non-metal / level detection; IO-Link variants available |
| KI | M30 plastic or stainless routes | Up to 40 mm | Longer range; visual setup on current KI6000 family |
| KQ5 / KQ6 | Flat rectangular | 12 mm | Low-profile mounting on tanks, flat surfaces and machine frames |
| KQ10 | 250 × 28 × 16.7 mm | 200 mm level range | External continuous level on suitable non-metal tanks |
| AC/DC variants | Round / rectangular | Up to 60 mm | Legacy/two-wire AC/DC applications; confirm exact model |
Smart setup
IO-Link in capacitive sensing
IO-Link helps make threshold setting repeatable and exposes process/damping information for diagnostics on supported families.
01
Remote threshold setup
Adjust switch points, output logic and selected timing functions from an IO-Link engineering tool.
02
Damping value reference
A digital process value can show how far the application is from the configured switch threshold.
03
Continuous tank data
Current KQ10 architecture uses IO-Link for continuous level information and can link multiple devices for larger tanks.
Engineering selection
Capacitive sensing is application-sensitive
Target material, wall thickness, deposits and humidity can matter more than the nominal catalogue range.
MaterialPlastic, glass, wood, powder, granulate, liquid or metal.
Distance / wallReal sensor-to-target distance and any tank/sight-glass wall thickness.
Medium variationChanges in product type, moisture, concentration or temperature.
DepositsResidue, condensation, dust or build-up near the active face.
MountingFlush, non-flush, external flat mount, mounting well or direct contact.
OutputPNP/NPN, AC/DC, switching only, IO-Link or continuous level.
Technology alternatives
Alternative sensing principles
Choose the simplest technology that is robust against the real target and environment.
| Application | Review | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Metal target only | Inductive | Usually more repeatable and less material-sensitive |
| Visible object / long range | Photoelectric | Longer sensing distances and optical object detection |
| Transparent / reflective object where optics struggle | Ultrasonic | Distance based on sound rather than optical reflectivity |
| Hygienic point level with foam/residue suppression | LMT / LMC | Impedance-spectroscopy route designed for process media |
| External continuous plastic-tank level | KQ10 | Capacitive continuous measurement without product contact |