Omron EE-SX674 — Slot Sensor Variant Selection Guide

By Abdullah Zahid
13 min read
Omron EE-SX674 slot-type photomicrosensor with 5 mm slot aperture for OEM part detection applications

Omron EE-SX674 Slot-type Photomicrosensor (Non-modulated) — Specs, Wiring, and How to Order the Right Variant

Controls engineers and machine builders searching for the Omron EE-SX674 are typically at a single decision point: confirming that this NPN open-collector, 5 mm slot, 5–24 VDC photomicrosensor matches their PLC input type, mechanical envelope, and connection style before it goes on the BOM. The EE-SX674 is a slot-type, through-beam, non-modulated sensor from Omron's EE-SX47/67 family, and getting the variant right — connector versus pre-wired, NPN versus PNP — is where most ordering mistakes happen.

If you have already confirmed the EE-SX674 is the correct part for your application, check current pricing and availability at LeadTime.ca — we ship worldwide.

Who Should Buy the Omron EE-SX674 — and Who Shouldn't

The Omron EE-SX674 is the right choice for engineers and technicians who need a compact, general-purpose slot sensor for standard industrial environments. Specify this model when all of the following are true:

  • Your PLC or controller digital input is configured for NPN (sinking) open-collector logic — the EE-SX674 does not provide PNP output.
  • Your installation requires a 5 mm slot aperture and the housing mounting pattern fits your bracket, fixture, or PCB layout.
  • Your control panel operates at 5–24 VDC (within ±10% tolerance) — this is the sensor's rated supply voltage range.
  • Your environment is reasonably clean and enclosed; operating temperature stays within approximately -25 °C to +55 °C and the IP50 protection rating is adequate.
  • You require either the connector-style base model (EE-SX674) or the pre-wired robot cable variant (EE-SX674-WR 1M) — confirm the correct suffix before ordering.
  • High-speed detection or counting is required — the sensor's response frequency is specified in the kilohertz range, around 1 kHz or higher.

If your system uses PNP inputs, requires washdown or heavy contamination resistance above IP50, or needs a different slot width or geometry, the EE-SX674 is not the correct choice. Look instead at the EE-SX674P (PNP variant) or other models within the EE-SX47/67 family before ordering.

On this page:

What the Omron EE-SX674 Actually Does in a Machine

The Omron EE-SX674 is a slot-type photomicrosensor — a compact U-shaped device with an infrared LED emitter on one side of a 5 mm gap and a phototransistor receiver on the other. When an opaque target passes through the slot and interrupts the beam, the NPN open-collector output changes state. The sensor is non-modulated, meaning it does not use a pulsed infrared signal — a characteristic that simplifies circuit design but means ambient light management matters in some installations.

This sensor provides straightforward on/off detection. It feeds a logic-level signal directly to a PLC or controller digital input, making it a reliable interface for part-present detection, position sensing, high-speed counting, and index referencing. The maximum load current of approximately 100 mA from its NPN output is sufficient to drive virtually any standard PLC input card. The Dark-ON or Light-ON switching logic is user-selectable via the control lead, giving integrators flexibility to match the sensor's output polarity to the control program without changing hardware.

Within Omron's EE-SX47/67 series, the EE-SX674 sits as one of the core NPN models. The family covers a range of slot geometries, output types, and connection options, so engineers specifying this sensor should treat the EE-SX674 part number — including any suffix — as an exact match requirement, not a family reference.

Typical System Architecture for EE-SX674 Deployment

The EE-SX674 sits at the field device layer of a machine control system, translating a physical event — a target breaking the beam — into a binary digital signal that a controller can act on.

  • 24 VDC (or lower) control power supply feeds the V+ and 0 V leads of the EE-SX674 from the panel.
  • The NPN open-collector output lead connects to a PLC digital input terminal, typically a sinking input module.
  • The control lead is wired to select Dark-ON or Light-ON operation to match the control program logic.
  • A small opaque target — a cam flag, part edge, or mechanical tab — passes through the 5 mm slot at detection speed.
  • The PLC reads the state change and executes the corresponding control action: incrementing a counter, enabling an output, or triggering a motion event.

Where the EE-SX674 Fits: Applications and Deployment Scenarios

OEM machine builders specify the EE-SX674 most often in compact assembly stations, feeding systems, and indexing mechanisms where a standard photoelectric sensor would be physically too large. The 5 mm slot accepts small opaque tabs or part edges, making it suitable for detecting miniature components in electronics manufacturing, light mechanical assembly, and packaging equipment.

High-speed counting is a natural application given the kilohertz-range response frequency. Encoder-style flag wheels, perforated discs, or regularly spaced product features can be counted reliably at machine speeds that would exceed slower sensor types. This makes the EE-SX674 useful in printing, textile, and light material handling equipment where throughput monitoring matters.

In MRO and retrofit work, the EE-SX674 is commonly specified as a replacement for failed or aging slot sensors on existing machines. Engineers appreciate the wide 5–24 VDC operating range because it removes most supply voltage ambiguity when the original sensor documentation is incomplete. Standardizing on one Omron sensor model across multiple lines also simplifies spare-parts inventory for maintenance teams.

For lab automation, small fixture-based inspection equipment, and PCB-mounted detection circuits, the EE-SX674's compact housing and connector or pre-wired options provide installation flexibility that larger sensor housings cannot match.

Application Typical Deployment
Part-present detection on assembly fixtures Small opaque component breaks 5 mm slot beam; PLC confirms presence before cycle start
Position sensing on cams or linear slides Mechanical flag interrupts beam at home or limit position; NPN output feeds PLC digital input
High-speed counting in indexing systems Perforated disc or flag wheel passes through slot; kHz response captures counts at machine speed
Edge detection and index referencing Compact housing fits tight enclosures where standard photoelectric sensors cannot be mounted
Retrofit and sensor standardization Direct replacement for legacy slot sensors; wide 5–24 VDC range accommodates varying panel voltages
PCB-mounted or bracket-integrated detection Connector-style EE-SX674 mounts directly on PCB or custom bracket for electronics assembly equipment

Key Specifications for Purchase Decisions

Parameter Value
Sensing method Slot-type, through-beam, non-modulated infrared
Slot width 5 mm
Output type NPN open-collector, Dark-ON / Light-ON selectable via control lead
Operating supply voltage 5–24 VDC (±10%)
Maximum load current Approx. 100 mA
Current consumption Approx. 35 mA (without load)
Residual voltage Typically ≤0.8 V at rated load
Response frequency Approx. 1 kHz or higher
Degree of protection IP50
Operating temperature Approx. -25 °C to +55 °C (no icing or condensation)

Full technical specifications are available on the product page at LeadTime.ca.

EE-SX674 vs EE-SX674-WR 1M and Related Variants — Which One Do You Need?

The single most common ordering mistake with this sensor family is selecting the wrong suffix. The base model and the pre-wired variant serve different installation scenarios, and substituting one for the other creates immediate commissioning problems.

Model Connection Style Output Type Cable / Lead Best For
EE-SX674 Connector type NPN open-collector Requires mating connector or PCB PCB mounting, custom brackets, panel builds with dedicated connector wiring
EE-SX674-WR 1M Pre-wired robot cable NPN open-collector Approx. 1 m flexible robot cable Direct panel wiring, moving axes, retrofit installations, field replacement
EE-SX674P (family variant) Connector or pre-wired PNP open-collector Per variant suffix PLC inputs requiring PNP (sourcing) logic

If your PLC input card is configured for PNP (sourcing) logic, the EE-SX674P is the correct choice — do not attempt to adapt NPN wiring to a PNP input without understanding the implications for your control circuit. Check current variant availability at LeadTime.ca before finalizing your purchase order.

Expert Verdict: Is the EE-SX674 the Right Sensor for Your Project?

The Omron EE-SX674 earns its place as a go-to slot sensor for OEM machine builders and plant maintenance teams who need a compact, fast, widely available NPN photomicrosensor for general-purpose part detection in standard industrial environments. Its 5–24 VDC operating range means it drops into virtually any standard 24 V control system without additional interfacing. The approximately 100 mA NPN open-collector output drives any common PLC input without a relay or buffer, and the kHz-range response frequency means it will not be the bottleneck in high-speed counting or indexing applications. The selectable Dark-ON / Light-ON control lead is a genuine convenience that eliminates the need to change hardware when control logic polarity needs to be adjusted.

Where the EE-SX674 has real limits: it is rated to IP50, which rules it out immediately for washdown, high-pressure cleaning, heavy oil mist, or significant particulate contamination. In those environments, select a sensor with a higher ingress protection rating. The NPN-only output means it does not belong on PLC systems standardized on PNP (sourcing) inputs — the EE-SX674P or another PNP variant in the EE-SX47/67 family is the correct alternative. If your application needs a slot width other than 5 mm, a different housing geometry, or advanced diagnostics, other models within the same family will be a better match. These are not weaknesses of the EE-SX674 specifically — they are boundary conditions that the sensor's specifications define clearly.

From a procurement standpoint, the EE-SX674 is broadly stocked through major automation distributors and typically available without extended lead times for standard quantities. The ordering risk is not availability — it is variant selection. The difference between EE-SX674 (connector) and EE-SX674-WR 1M (pre-wired 1 m cable) is not interchangeable on the bench or in the panel. Getting this confirmed before a PO is issued is worth the two-minute conversation. View current stock and pricing for the EE-SX674 at LeadTime.ca — and if you need cross-reference support or want to confirm the exact variant for your application, the team is equipped to help.

For volume pricing, project quantities, or lead time confirmation before committing to a build schedule, contact the LeadTime.ca team directly — we ship worldwide.

What Engineers Need to Know Before Ordering the EE-SX674

Model-specific community discussion of the Omron EE-SX674 is sparse across the major automation forums — PLCTalk, PLCS.net, MrPLC, and Reddit's automation communities contain very little EE-SX674-specific conversation. This is not unusual for a well-understood sensor category where the hardware generally works as specified and engineers rarely post about products that are not causing problems. However, the absence of forum noise should not be mistaken for a signal that variant selection and wiring are trivial — the ordering and commissioning mistakes that do appear in forum discussions about slot sensors as a category are directly applicable here.

The most consistent theme in automation community discussions about slot-type photomicrosensors is NPN versus PNP confusion. Engineers working on systems with mixed PLC input types, or replacing sensors from a different vendor's install, frequently discover at commissioning that the sensor polarity does not match the PLC input configuration. With the EE-SX674, this manifests as an output that appears to be stuck or inverted — a frustrating fault to diagnose mid-installation. The prevention is simple: pull the PLC input module datasheet and confirm whether it requires a sinking (NPN) or sourcing (PNP) signal before the sensor is ordered.

A second recurring pattern in sensor forum discussions is overlooking part number suffixes. Experienced engineers note that a one-character suffix difference — WR versus no suffix, or a cable length indicator — changes what arrives on the dock entirely. For the EE-SX674 family, the difference between the connector-type base model and the EE-SX674-WR 1M pre-wired variant is one that cannot be resolved on-site without either a mating connector on hand or a cable assembly already built. When community data is limited for a specific model, the most reliable guidance comes from confirming the exact part number and suffix with a specialist distributor who stocks the product and can verify the configuration against your application requirements — which is precisely the conversation that prevents a return shipment and a delayed machine start-up.

Wiring and Installation Overview

The following points cover the key requirements for wiring the Omron EE-SX674 to a PLC digital input. For full wiring diagrams, pinout details, and load calculations, refer to the Omron EE-SX47/67 series datasheet.

  • Identify all sensor leads from the datasheet before wiring: V+ (supply), 0 V (common), NPN output, and the control lead used to select Dark-ON or Light-ON operation.
  • Connect V+ to the control supply (within 5–24 VDC ±10%) and 0 V to control common; an unstable or out-of-tolerance supply will cause erratic output behavior.
  • Connect the NPN output lead to the PLC sinking digital input terminal; verify residual voltage (typically ≤0.8 V) is below the PLC input's OFF-state threshold.
  • Wire the control lead for the required logic state (Dark-ON or Light-ON) per the Omron wiring diagram; incorrect control lead configuration will invert the sensor's switching behavior.
  • Add external overcurrent protection per your control panel design standards; the sensor's maximum load current is approximately 100 mA — external fusing or protection is the engineer's responsibility per panel safety requirements.

Wrong-Part Prevention Checklist

Before issuing a purchase order for the Omron EE-SX674, verify each of the following against your application requirements and control drawings:

  1. Confirm required output type: NPN vs PNP and compatibility with the PLC input card.
  2. Verify logic requirement: Dark-ON / Light-ON selection and that the EE-SX674 control lead wiring can support it.
  3. Check mechanical fit: 5 mm slot width and mounting dimensions align with the machine bracket or PCB.
  4. Confirm connection style: base EE-SX674 (connector) vs EE-SX674-WR 1M (pre-wired 1 m cable) or other lead length.
  5. Verify supply voltage in the panel is within 5–24 VDC and within tolerance.
  6. Check environmental conditions: temperature, humidity, and contamination level are acceptable for IP50 and plastic housing.

If any item on this checklist cannot be confirmed with the information available, contact the LeadTime.ca team before ordering — we can cross-reference your PLC input type, confirm the correct EE-SX674 variant, and check live stock status worldwide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Omron EE-SX674 NPN or PNP, and how do I confirm this from the part number?

The EE-SX674 is an NPN open-collector output model. Within the EE-SX47/67 family, PNP variants typically carry a P suffix in the model number — for example, EE-SX674P. If your PLC input card requires a PNP (sourcing) signal, the EE-SX674 is not the correct choice; select the corresponding PNP variant. Always confirm output polarity from the Omron datasheet before ordering.

What is the difference between the EE-SX674 and the EE-SX674-WR 1M?

The base EE-SX674 is a connector-type model that requires a mating connector or PCB terminal for wiring. The EE-SX674-WR 1M is a pre-wired variant with an approximately 1 m flexible robot cable already attached, allowing direct panel wiring without a separate connector. The two are not interchangeable on-site — confirm which connection style your installation requires before ordering.

How do I switch between Dark-ON and Light-ON on the EE-SX674?

The EE-SX674 provides a control lead that allows selection of Dark-ON (output active when beam is interrupted) or Light-ON (output active when beam is clear) operation through wiring configuration. The exact wiring for each mode is specified in the Omron EE-SX47/67 series datasheet — do not assume the wiring without consulting the diagram, as incorrect control lead wiring will invert the sensor's logic state.

Can the EE-SX674 be used in dusty, oily, or washdown environments?

The EE-SX674 is rated to IP50, which provides protection against solid particle ingress at a basic level but offers no protection against liquid ingress. It is not suitable for washdown applications, high-pressure cleaning, or environments with significant oil mist or heavy particulate contamination. For such conditions, select a sensor with a higher IP rating appropriate to the environment.

What is the maximum switching speed, and is it sufficient for high-speed counting applications?

The EE-SX674's response frequency is specified at approximately 1 kHz or higher, making it suitable for high-speed part detection, counting, and encoder-style flag applications at typical machine speeds. For extremely high-speed applications, verify the exact response frequency figure from the Omron datasheet against your required detection rate before specifying.

My slot sensor from another brand has failed — is the EE-SX674 a direct drop-in replacement?

The EE-SX674 may be electrically compatible with many legacy NPN slot sensors given its 5–24 VDC range and standard NPN open-collector output, but a direct drop-in replacement requires verifying three things: slot width matches at 5 mm, mounting hole pattern and housing dimensions fit the existing bracket, and output type and logic polarity match the existing wiring. Dimensional and connector differences between brands mean that "equivalent" sensors are often not physically interchangeable without minor bracket or wiring modifications.

Why Order Through LeadTime.ca

  • LeadTime.ca stocks industrial automation sensors and components for shipment worldwide — not limited to any single region or country.
  • Specialist support is available to confirm the correct EE-SX674 variant (connector vs pre-wired, NPN vs PNP) against your PLC input type and application before an order is placed.
  • Live pricing and availability are displayed on the product page — no need to request a quote for standard quantities.
  • Volume pricing and project-quantity discussions are available directly through the contact page for OEM builders and procurement teams.
  • Hard-to-find or lower-stocked variants can be sourced and lead times confirmed before you commit to a build schedule.

At-a-Glance Summary

  • Sensor type: Slot-type photomicrosensor, through-beam, non-modulated infrared — Omron EE-SX47/67 family.
  • Slot width: 5 mm — confirm mechanical fit against machine bracket or PCB before ordering.
  • Output: NPN open-collector, approximately 100 mA maximum load current — NPN PLC input required.
  • Supply voltage: 5–24 VDC (±10%) — compatible with standard 24 V industrial control systems.
  • Logic selection: Dark-ON / Light-ON selectable via control lead wiring — per Omron datasheet.
  • Response frequency: Approximately 1 kHz or higher — suitable for high-speed counting and detection.
  • Protection: IP50 — general-purpose enclosed environments only, not washdown or heavy contamination.
  • Operating temperature: Approximately -25 °C to +55 °C, no icing or condensation.
  • Current consumption: Approximately 35 mA without load.
  • Key variant choice: EE-SX674 (connector type) vs EE-SX674-WR 1M (pre-wired 1 m robot cable) — not interchangeable.
  • PNP alternative: EE-SX674P for PLC systems requiring sourcing (PNP) input logic.
  • Pricing: Available on the product page at LeadTime.ca — ships worldwide.

You may also be interested in: