Clear Warnings Mean “No Pressure” with SICK PAC50 Pneumatic Sensor

The PAC50’s outstanding multi-field on-board LCD display provides colour-coded visibility even at a distance and is configurable to meet the user’s preferences, so operators are able to monitor process conditions straight from the factory floor, as well as via the control PLC.

The sensor’s high level of functionality offers local and remote IO setting and diagnostic control, a choice of digital and analogue outputs, a wide range of easy mountings and connections, with IP65/67 protection in a rugged polycarbonate housing.

“The PAC50 is ideal for an extensive range of pneumatic control and process functions for automation and packaging to logistics, conveyors and automotive applications,” explains Darren Pratt, SICK UK’s industrial instrumentation product specialist.

“The whole display is back-lit with green or red LEDS which tell you immediately whether you’ve exceeded a set-point or not.   It is also designed with a simple, intuitive HMI display, controlled by three buttons for setting parameters and interrogating settings.”

Among many options for the SICK PAC50 which enhance its versatility, the outputs are configurable. The switch output can be user set to PNP or NPN configurable, and the analogue output to 0-10 volts or 4-20 mA. There is a choice of outputs to suit the factory set-up: 2 digital; 1 digital plus 1 analogue; 2 digital plus 1 analogue, 2 digital including IO-Link, with measuring ranges of -1 to 0 bar, -1 to +1 bar, 0 to +6 bar and 0 to +10 bar at +/- 1.5% accuracy.

Simple to set up through a drop down menu or remotely via PLC, the PAC50 simultaneously displays current pressure, units, pressure set limits and switch output status. The version with IO –Link Stack 1.1 remotely stores parameters to facilitate sensor replacement and instant replacement without recommissioning. Additionally, the SICK Memory Stick allows sensor parameters to be cloned, speeding multi-sensor installation.

The SICK PAC50 is constructed with polycarbonate housing with moulded in-display window and front-located setting buttons large enough to use with gloves on. The pressurised parts are also in glass-filled polycarbonate for long-term stability.

At 51mm by 35mm by 35mm, the lightweight (40g) PAC50 is easy to install in either panels, with wall mount fixings or in-built DIN rail mountings, for convenient location. Simple mounting is enhanced by the choice of female G1/4 threaded pressure connections on both the back and underside of the housing or a pushfit 4mm PIF hose connection on the underside.

“The flexibility of the PAC50 reduces the need to hold many different replacements in stock as emergency back up,” continues Darren Pratt. “In addition, parameter storage remotely or via the memory stick means minimum plant downtime should any sensor need replacing.”