Signals & Electrical
3-wire sensor
A sensor with separate power, 0 V and signal wires.
IN ONE SENTENCE
Two wires power the device and the third carries the output.
In normal English
Many PNP and NPN proximity sensors use three wires, often brown for +V, blue for 0 V and black for output, although you should always check the datasheet.
Why would I use it?
Use it for powered switching sensors and many electronic transducers.
THINK OF IT LIKE…
Two wires keep it alive; the third tells you what it sees.
Related terms
2-wire sensor, PNP, NPN
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