Oct 30, 2025
A reed switch sensor is belonging to the magnetic sensor category. In daily life, reed switches are also commonly used in applications such as door magnetic alarms, bicycle speedometers, and liquid level sensors.When a manufacturer encapsulates the reed switch into an installable industrial sensor — with protective plastic or metal housing, cables, and connectors, allowing it to output electrical signals — it becomes a complete sensor product.
Reed switch can be used for detecting position of pneumatic cylinder piston, and at this stage, it is referred to as a finished limit reed switch sensor or magnetic limit switch.
The limit reed switch sensor is specifically used for detecting the position and status of cylinder pistons, and it has the following features and advantages:
Non-contact detection:The Magnetic switch sensor is triggered by a magnetic field without direct contact with the detected part, reducing wear and extending service life.
Compact structure and small size:This sensor consists of a sealed glass tube and a magnetic sensor reed, making it lightweight and easy to install in tight spaces such as cylinders, slides, and valves.
Switch-type output:The sensor reed provides an ON/OFF signal output, responding quickly and operating clearly, which is ideal for limit or position detection.
Sealed packaging:The glass enclosure is filled with inert gas, offering dustproof, oil-resistant, and waterproof performance, making it suitable for harsh industrial environments.
No external power:The reed sensor is a magnetically actuated switch with internal contacts., it can output a signal directly without any power supply or amplification circuit.
High reliability and long service life:One of the indispensable features of the reed sensor in industrial manufacturing is its stable operation, high repeatability.
T-slot or dovetail groove:CS1-M, CS1-MP, and CS1-MN sensors are designed for DNC standard cylinders. They feature a slim structure that requires minimal installation space and can be easily mounted by sliding in from the side or embedding directly into the slot.
Front cover or rear cover:CS1-U, CS1-UP, and CS1-UN sensors are used on SC, SU, and SI standard cylinders. They are typically installed on the outer mounting grooves of the cylinder body and secured with metal clips or screws. These sensors are highly resistant to shock and have strong anti-interference capabilities.
Elongated rectangular groove:CS1-J, CS1-JP, and CS1-JN sensors are suitable for SDA compact cylinders. They are mounted in the side grooves of the cylinder body or fixed at the end face with small screws. Featuring a small size and thin profile, they offer high sensitivity, flexible installation, and are ideal for use in space-limited applications.
Annular groove:CS1-S, CS1-SP, and CS1-SN sensors are mounted on the exterior of small round cylinders using stainless steel clamps or rings. They are designed to detect piston magnetic field changes in mini cylinders such as MA, MAL, and DSN types.
Do you know why the reed switch sensor is considered a type of magnetically actuated sensor? If you know how reed switch sensors are actuated, you will know the answer.
Inside the reed switch magnetic sensor, there are two thin, flexible magnetic nickel-iron alloy reeds sealed in a glass tube. The ends of the reeds are slightly separated, remaining open when no magnetic field is present. When an external magnet approaches, the magnetic field magnetizes the reeds, causing them to attract each other, closing the contacts and completing the circuit. Once the magnet moves away, the reeds return to their original position, breaking the circuit again.
Reed switches can help cylinders detect the position of the piston and provide automatic feedback and control. Therefore, they are widely used in modern automation systems. Below are some examples of their applications.
Pneumatic systems:
Used in pneumatic components such as cylinders and valves to detect piston positions, transmitting digital ON/OFF signals to PLCs or relay circuits for logical control.
Packaging and assembly automation equipment:
Used to determine the end position of slides or robotic arms in packaging machinery, preventing overtravel and ensuring limit detection.
Valve and fluid control systems:
Used to detect the open/closed status of pneumatic and hydraulic valves, preventing operator errors and protecting equipment.
Industrial doors, warehousing, and logistics automation:
The reed sensor can serve as a limit detection switch to determine whether doors, trays, or lifting devices are in position.
Reed magnetic sensor VS Hall sensor
Hall sensors can also be used in pneumatic systems, providing more stable detection for fast or high-frequency operations.
Advantages: fast response speed, long service life.
Disadvantages: Requires external power supply, more complex circuitry, higher cost than reed type.
Reed magnetic sensor VS Magnetoresistive sensor
Magnetoresistive sensors are the most sensitive, precise, and fastest responding among the three types of magnetic sensors.
Advantages: Higher detection sensitivity and response speed, strong anti-interference, and stable performance.
Disadvantages: Besides higher cost and complex circuitry, they are sensitive to magnetic pole direction and environmental magnetic noise, requiring a well-controlled operating environment.
If your system only needs basic limit detection, has budget constraints, lacks a power supply, and offers convenient installation space, the reed sensor is a suitable choice.
If your equipment requires faster response and longer sensor life with stable output, you can choose a Hall sensor.
If your device requires high precision, high sensitivity, and continuous displacement detection, then a magnetoresistive sensor is more suitable.
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