Cylinder sensors are used to provide end-of-stroke and position detection for hydraulic and pneumatic cylinder applications. Hydraulic cylinder walls are typically made of steel. Since inductive and magnetic field sensors cannot “see” through the steel cylinder wall to detect the piston inside, hydraulic cylinders use pressure-rated inductive sensors that can handle direct exposure to pressurized hydraulic fluid in the cylinder to provide end-of-stroke detection.

For non-contact, wear-free position detection of pneumatic cylinder piston position, Balluff magnetic field sensors use magneto-resistive technology to detect the piston magnet through the aluminum wall of the cylinder.

Advantages of Balluff magnetic field sensors include universal compatibility with either “Hall Effect” or “Reed Switch” cylinder magnet polarizations, reduction or elimination of double switch points, higher noise immunity, and elimination of electrical contact wear and sticking. Magnetic field sensors are available in a variety of cylinder-friendly mounting configurations, as well as with special features like weld field immunity.