DT50-P2113 Brand New DT50P2113 Sick Distance Measuring Sensor

Product Description

SICK DT50-P2113 — Dx50 Time-of-Flight Laser Distance Sensor, 200–20,000 mm, 4–20 mA Analog + PNP Digital Output

Most photoelectric sensors answer a binary question: is a target present or not? The DT50-P2113 answers a different and far more useful one — how far away is it, and exactly where is it right now? That continuous, millimetre-resolved distance value is what makes time-of-flight sensors like the Dx50 the backbone of level monitoring, crane positioning, stack height measurement, AGV navigation, and dozens of other applications where position data matters more than a simple switching signal.

The DT50-P2113 is SICK's Dx50-series mid-range ToF sensor, part number 1047314, covering a measurement span from 200 mm to 20,000 mm on natural, uncooperative targets — no reflector tape, no special surface treatment required. It outputs that distance simultaneously as a 4–20 mA analog current signal (16-bit resolution) and a configurable PNP digital switching output, giving system designers the choice of wired-in setpoint switching, continuous analog feedback to a PLC or controller, or both at once.

Genuine SICK manufacture, Germany. New original sealed. In stock and available for immediate worldwide dispatch.

Technical Specifications

Pin Assignment — M12, 5-Pin Connector

How HDDM Technology Shapes Real-World Performance

SICK's High-Definition Distance Measurement (HDDM) is the core technology behind the Dx50's combination of long range, natural-target measurement, and ambient light immunity. Rather than sending a single laser pulse and timing its return, HDDM fires thousands of short pulses per measurement cycle and statistically processes the resulting signal. This approach has three consequences that matter in practice.

First, the signal-to-noise ratio is dramatically improved compared to single-pulse ToF. Low-reflectance targets — dark surfaces, matte painted steel, concrete — that would absorb most of a single pulse still return enough cumulative signal across thousands of pulses for reliable distance calculation. The DT50-P2113 maintains measurement down to 6% remission targets across its full 5,000 mm range and down to 18% remission at up to 8,500 mm. Second, because the measurement is statistical rather than dependent on a single pulse, the system is highly immune to ambient light interference. The 40,000 lux ambient light immunity specification means the sensor continues to operate accurately in direct sunlight conditions — critical for outdoor or skylighted industrial environments. Third, the pulse integration approach allows the response time to be traded against measurement quality through the averaging setting: fast averaging gives 15 ms response for dynamic target tracking; slow averaging gives 80 ms but tighter repeatability on stable targets.

Analog Output: 16-Bit Resolution and Teach-In Scaling

The 4–20 mA current output is the primary continuous distance measurement interface for most PLC and controller integrations. Current loop outputs are preferred over voltage outputs in industrial environments because they are immune to voltage drops along cable runs — the current magnitude is the same at the sensor output terminal and at the controller input terminal regardless of cable resistance.

The DT50-P2113's analog output carries 16-bit resolution across the configured range — meaning the 4–20 mA span is divided into 65,536 discrete steps. Over the full 20,000 mm measurement range, this yields a theoretical step size of approximately 0.3 mm per LSB. In practice, the sensor's measurement accuracy (±7 mm) and 1 mm resolution define the practical limits, but the high DAC resolution ensures the analog output is never the limiting factor in system accuracy.

Scaling is configured through the teach-in function: the user positions a target at the desired near-range point (corresponding to 4 mA) and the far-range point (corresponding to 20 mA), uses the teach function to capture both positions, and the drive output automatically scales across the measured span. Output inversion — where a closer target produces a higher current — is available through a parameter toggle.

Digital Output and Switching Modes

The single PNP digital output operates in distance-to-object (DtO) switching mode, where the output state switches based on whether a target is within a configured distance threshold. Teach-in, hysteresis, and inversion are all configurable through the front-panel operating interface or external teach via the MF input.

The hysteresis band — adjustable from 10 mm to 1,000 mm — prevents output chatter when a target is close to the switching threshold. For detecting objects at a defined position (for example, detecting whether a pallet is correctly positioned at a loading station), a narrow hysteresis of 10–20 mm provides precise zone switching. For level monitoring applications where small surface ripple or vibration causes distance variation, a wider hysteresis of 50–100 mm prevents nuisance switching without reducing overall detection reliability.

Multifunctional Input (MF): External Control Without Rewiring

The grey wire (pin 5) MF input provides three selectable functions, configurable through drive parameters:

Laser off: A HIGH signal on the MF input deactivates the laser. This is used in multi-sensor installations where adjacent sensors would interfere — the MF input allows the PLC to time-multiplex sensor firing, enabling several facing sensors to operate in the same optical axis without mutual interference.

External teach: A HIGH signal triggers the teach-in sequence without requiring physical access to the sensor's front panel. In installed positions where the sensor is behind a panel, at height, or otherwise inaccessible during operation, the PLC can trigger re-teach as part of an automated setup routine by pulsing the MF input.

Deactivated: The MF input is ignored. This is the default for single-sensor installations where the input is not connected.

High-Temperature Operation with Cooling Accessories

The standard operating temperature ceiling of +65°C covers the majority of industrial environments. Two SICK accessories extend this range significantly for applications near heat sources, furnaces, or foundry environments.

The BEF-KP-Dx50/DT20 cooling plate (SICK article 2055755) is a water-cooled mounting plate designed for the Dx50 housing. With two cooling plates installed, the operating temperature ceiling extends to +80°C. Adding the thermal shield with NIR protection filter (SICK article 2057137) on top of the two cooling plates further raises the ceiling to +140°C. This configuration makes the DT50-P2113 suitable for direct-distance measurement in furnace charging, hot metal handling, and glass processing applications that would destroy conventional sensors.

Typical Application Scenarios

Stack and level measurement in warehouses, silos, and storage areas — the 20 m range and natural-target measurement mean no target installation is needed on the measured surface. The analog output feeds directly to a PLC or HMI, providing continuous fill-level monitoring.

AGV and transport vehicle positioning — vehicles carrying a DT50-P2113 aimed at a fixed wall or reflective reference can continuously calculate their own position within a guided path, feeding the distance measurement to onboard motion controllers for precise stop-point positioning.

Crane and hoist height control — the sensor measures hook-to-ground distance continuously, with the analog output driving a position display and the digital output triggering slowdown or stop commands at configurable heights.

Press and machine tool stroke measurement — the DT50-P2113 mounted above a press table measures platen position throughout the stroke cycle. The 15 ms fast-averaging response time is sufficient for most hydraulic and pneumatic press applications.

Door and gate position monitoring — measuring the distance to a moving door or gate provides a continuous open/closed/partially-open position signal, without the mechanical wear of a contact-based position switch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does the P in DT50-P2113 indicate, and are there other variants in the Dx50 range?

A: Within SICK's Dx50 catalog number structure, the P in DT50-P2113 indicates this variant has both a PNP digital output and a 4–20 mA analog output. Other Dx50 variants include models with NPN digital outputs, different analog output types (voltage rather than current), longer range (the DT50 Hi series extending to 50 m with a reflector), and serial interface (IO-Link) variants. The DT50-P2113 is the standard mid-range analog + digital PNP configuration and the most widely applied Dx50 variant in general industrial distance measurement.

Q: What is the minimum measureable distance, and what happens if a target enters the blind zone inside 200 mm?

A: The minimum measuring range is 200 mm — the sensor cannot report valid distance data for targets closer than this. If a target enters the zone between 0 and 200 mm, the sensor's behavior depends on its configured output settings: the analog output will typically hold the last valid value or go to a configurable fault state (below 4 mA or above 20 mA), and the digital output will reflect the configured behavior for out-of-range conditions. For applications where targets may pass through the blind zone, the MF input can be used to signal the PLC when valid measurement resumes.

Q: Does the DT50-P2113 support IO-Link communication?

A: No — the DT50-P2113 interfaces via analog current output (4–20 mA) and PNP digital output only. IO-Link variants exist within the broader Dx50 family but carry different catalog designations. For applications requiring parameterisation over a digital fieldbus or real-time distance data over IO-Link to an IO-Link master, a different Dx50 catalog variant with the IO-Link interface designation would be specified.

Q: How should the analog output cable length be calculated to stay within the 300 Ω load limit?

A: The 300 Ω maximum load specification for the 4–20 mA output includes the input impedance of the receiving device (typically 50–250 Ω for a standard PLC analog input card) plus the DC resistance of the cable. Standard instrumentation cable has a resistance of approximately 0.1–0.2 Ω per metre per conductor. For a 2-conductor cable run, the total resistance is approximately 0.2–0.4 Ω per metre. A PLC input at 250 Ω therefore leaves approximately 50 Ω for cable resistance — equivalent to 125–250 metres of standard cable. In most installations, cable resistance is not the limiting factor; the PLC input impedance is. Always confirm the receiving device's input impedance specification when calculating maximum permissible cable length.

Q: Can the digital output and analog output be used simultaneously for different control functions?

A: Yes — this is one of the practical advantages of the DT50-P2113's dual-output design. The analog output and PNP digital output operate independently. A typical configuration uses the 4–20 mA signal for continuous position monitoring and display at the PLC or HMI, while the digital output provides a hardwired switching signal to a relay, motor controller, or safety circuit at a configurable threshold. Both outputs are active simultaneously without any mode selection required.

Q: What is the significance of the 101-year MTTFD figure?

A: MTTFD (Mean Time To Dangerous Failure) is a reliability parameter from the IEC 62061 and ISO 13849 machinery safety standards, used when calculating the achievable Performance Level (PL) or Safety Integrity Level (SIL) of a safety function. The DT50-P2113's MTTFD of 101 years indicates a very low dangerous failure rate in the sensor hardware. However, it is important to note that the DT50-P2113 is not a safety-rated sensor (it is a standard measurement sensor, not a Type 2 or Type 4 safety device). The MTTFD figure is published for reference in machine safety documentation — it does not make the sensor suitable for use as the primary protective device in a safety-critical function where a dedicated safety laser scanner or safety light curtain would be required.

Q: What cable accessories are compatible with the DT50-P2113's M12 5-pin connector?

 A: The DT50-P2113 uses a standard M12, 5-pin, A-coded male connector. Compatible SICK cable accessories include the YG2A15 series (M12 female angled, flying leads) and YF2A15 series (M12 female straight, flying leads) in lengths from 0.6 m to 3 m. Third-party M12 5-pin A-coded female cables are fully compatible — the pin assignment is standard across the Dx50 range. For permanent installations, a cable with an angled M12 connector reduces stress on the connector body where cable routing is tight.