In modern automation, precise and reliable sensing is the backbone of smooth production. The WS/WE190L-P430 is a compact through-beam photoelectric sensor pair from SICK that’s designed exactly for this challenge—delivering long-range detection, fast response, and robust performance in demanding industrial environments. Because the WS/WE190L-P430 combines a visible red laser, high sensing range, and rugged housing, it’s a popular choice for machine builders and maintenance teams looking to reduce downtime and improve detection reliability.
This blog will take a deep dive into what the WS/WE190L-P430 is, how it works, its key specifications, accessories, mounting options, typical applications, and how to decide if it’s the right sensor for your line.
What Is the WS/WE190L-P430 Through-Beam Photoelectric Sensor?
At its core, the WS/WE190L-P430 is a through-beam photoelectric sensor pair. That means it consists of two separate units:
- A transmitter (WS) that emits a narrow, visible red laser beam
- A receiver (WE) that detects this beam when it reaches the opposite side
When an object passes between the two units and interrupts the beam, the WS/WE190L-P430 changes its output state, allowing your PLC or controller to register the presence or absence of that object. This geometry gives the WS/WE190L-P430 very high excess gain and stable detection performance, even with difficult targets such as dark, glossy, or slightly misaligned objects.
The sensor pair belongs to SICK’s W190 Laser Standard series, which is designed to provide laser technology at an economical price point. The WS/WE190L-P430 uses a Class 2 visible red laser that is eye-safe under normal operation, and the laser spot remains well-defined over long distances. At 10 m, the WS/WE190L-P430 typically generates a light spot of approximately 40 mm in diameter, which makes alignment and verification straightforward in real-world installations.
Physically, the WS/WE190L-P430 features a compact rectangular housing made of ABS plastic, measuring roughly 15 × 44.4 × 30 mm, so it fits easily on machines where space is limited. Despite the small footprint, each unit of the WS/WE190L-P430 weighs about 120 g (with M8 plug), giving it a robust, industrial feel. Two LEDs—a green LED to indicate laser power and a yellow LED to indicate switching output—provide at-a-glance diagnostic feedback at the sensor.
Key Specifications of the WS/WE190L-P430 Sensor Pair
When selecting a sensor, specs matter. The WS/WE190L-P430 packs a lot of performance into its small housing, making it suitable for medium to long-range detection tasks on conveyors and machinery.
Sensing Principle and Range
The WS/WE190L-P430 operates using a through-beam sensing principle with a visible red Class 2 laser. This configuration allows the sensor to achieve a sensing range of up to 50 m, depending on installation conditions. In many material-handling lines, this allows the WS/WE190L-P430 to detect objects across wide conveyor belts, between long machine sections, or over tall stacks of materials.
Because the WS/WE190L-P430 uses a concentrated laser beam rather than a diffuse LED, it maintains strong signal strength over distance, which translates to high immunity against dust, ambient light, and moderate misalignment.
Housing, Optics, and Protection Class
The WS/WE190L-P430 is designed for industrial environments:
- Housing material: ABS plastic, rectangular compact form factor
- Optics: Plastic (PMMA) lenses
- Enclosure rating: IP67, meaning dust-tight and protected against temporary immersion in water
This combination means the WS/WE190L-P430 can be mounted in areas where it might be exposed to dust, splashing water, or cleaning processes, as long as general mechanical protection is considered.
Electrical Supply and Output
From an electrical standpoint, the WS/WE190L-P430 is straightforward to integrate:
- Supply voltage: 10–30 VDC with reverse polarity protection
- Idle current: ≤ 40 mA
- Output type: PNP transistor (sourcing output)
- Maximum load current: 100 mA
The WS/WE190L-P430 output can be configured for light- or dark-switching using a front rotary switch, so you can choose whether the output turns ON when the beam is made or broken. The output is protected against short-circuits and incorrect wiring, which is helpful in busy control cabinets and during commissioning.
Speed and Switching Performance
For high-speed processes, the WS/WE190L-P430 offers:
- Response time: approx. 0.5 ms
- Maximum switching frequency: 1,000 Hz
This makes the WS/WE190L-P430 suitable for applications such as counting small parts on fast-moving conveyors, detecting gaps in material, or monitoring high-speed packaging lines where rapid and repeatable switching is critical.
Connection and Wiring
The specific P430 variant of the WS/WE190L-P430 features a 4-pin M8 male connector (A-coded) with a rotatable 90° plug, giving flexibility for cable routing in tight machine spaces. Typical wiring for the WS/WE190L-P430 follows standard SICK conventions:
- Brown: +V
- Blue: 0 V
- Black: Output
- White: Additional output/unused (depending on version)
For panel builders and integrators, this makes the WS/WE190L-P430 easy to standardise in control designs, especially where M8 connector cables are already favoured.
WS/WE190L-P430 Variants: Choosing the Right Model for Your System
Within the W190L laser series, the WS/WE190L-P430 is part of a small family of related models that differ mainly in output type (PNP/NPN) and connection style (plug/cable). Understanding these variants helps you choose the best WS/WE190L-P430 family model for your control architecture.
Common variants include:
- WS/WE190L-P430 (6026562): PNP output, rotatable M8 4-pin plug
- WS/WE190L-N430 (6026560): NPN output, M8 plug, otherwise very similar to the WS/WE190L-P430
- WS/WE190L-P132 (6026561): PNP output with a fixed 2 m cable
- WS/WE190L-N132 (6026559): NPN output, 2 m cable
If your PLC inputs are designed for sourcing (PNP) signals, the WS/WE190L-P430 is the natural choice. In contrast, some legacy or specific control systems require NPN (sinking) outputs, in which case the N430 or N132 versions may be preferable.
The cable variants are handy when you need fewer connectors and prefer hard-wired installations. The WS/WE190L-P430 with M8 plug, on the other hand, is ideal when modularity and easy replacement are priorities. In mixed-fleet environments, standardising on the WS/WE190L-P430 plug type can simplify spare-part management and speed up sensor swaps.
Accessories and Mounting Options for the WS/WE190L-P430
To unlock full performance from the WS/WE190L-P430, SICK offers dedicated mounting and connectivity accessories that simplify installation and alignment.
Mounting Brackets
One of the key mounting accessories for the WS/WE190L-P430 is the BEF-W190 metal mounting bracket. This zinc-plated steel bracket is designed to fit the housing geometry of the WS/WE190L series and allows you to precisely position and secure both the transmitter and receiver.
Each housing of the WS/WE190L-P430 has two 3.1 mm mounting holes suitable for M3 screws. When mounting the sensor pair, it’s important not to exceed the recommended max tightening torque of 0.5 Nm to prevent damage to the plastic housing.
Using the BEF-W190 or similar mounting hardware means you can adjust the sensor’s orientation and then lock it securely into place once the WS/WE190L-P430 beam is correctly aligned.
Sensor Cables and Terminal Boxes
Since the WS/WE190L-P430 (P430 variant) uses a 4-pin M8 plug, you’ll typically use M8 female connector cables. SICK offers various cable types including standard PVC and more robust PUR cables for tougher environments. An example from the series is:
- YF8U14-050VA3XLEAX (P/N 2095889): a 5 m PUR cable with an M8 female connector and free leads
For easier field wiring, SICK also provides terminal boxes such as the STE-0804-G, which is essentially a 4-position screw-terminal housing that mates with the M8 male connector on the WS/WE190L-P430. This allows you to terminate the cable quickly and adapt the sensor to existing wiring standards.
With the right accessories, you can install the WS/WE190L-P430 quickly, route cables cleanly, and maintain high reliability over the life of the machine.
Typical Applications of the WS/WE190L-P430 in Industrial Automation
The WS/WE190L-P430 is highly versatile and can be deployed across a wide range of industries that require presence detection, counting, and positioning. Because it’s a through-beam laser sensor with long range and fast response, the WS/WE190L-P430 is particularly popular in:
Material Handling and Packaging
In material handling systems, the WS/WE190L-P430 is commonly used for:
- Detecting products on conveyors (boxes, trays, bottles, cartons)
- Counting items as they pass a certain point
- Monitoring jams or gaps in material flow
Because the laser beam of the WS/WE190L-P430 can span long distances, it’s ideal for higher or wider conveyor systems where traditional diffuse sensors may struggle. The reliable detection across up to 50 m ensures consistent tracking of items moving at various speeds.
Automotive and Electronics Assembly
In automotive, electronics, and general assembly applications, the WS/WE190L-P430 can help detect:
- Presence of components at assembly stations
- Passing of parts between work cells
- Entry/exit of carriers or pallets
The fast switching capability of the WS/WE190L-P430 means it can detect small, fast-moving parts without missing counts, which is critical in high-throughput assembly lines.
General Manufacturing and Metalworking
In general manufacturing and metalworking, the WS/WE190L-P430 is used to:
- Detect sheet metal parts
- Monitor workpiece transfer on conveyor belts or slides
- Provide position feedback where a clear line-of-sight is available
Because the separate emitter and receiver of the WS/WE190L-P430 deliver strong excess gain, the sensor often performs reliably even when objects are dirty, dark, or slightly misaligned, reducing false trips and improving system uptime.
Compliance, Safety, and Environmental Ratings of the WS/WE190L-P430
When deploying sensors in industrial environments, compliance and safety are non-negotiable. The WS/WE190L-P430 is designed to meet a range of global standards, helping machine builders and OEMs align with regulatory requirements.
Electrical and Regional Certifications
The WS/WE190L-P430 carries the CE mark for the European market and UKCA for the United Kingdom, confirming that it complies with applicable EU and UK directives. Beyond that, the sensor also has approvals such as:
- RCM/ACMA for Australia
- cRUus (UL) listing for USA and Canada
- China RoHS compliance
These certifications allow the WS/WE190L-P430 to be confidently specified in equipment destined for different regions around the globe.
Laser and Photobiological Safety
Since the WS/WE190L-P430 uses a visible red Class 2 laser, laser safety is a key consideration. The sensor is certified according to IEC 60825-1 (laser safety) and DIN EN 62471 (photobiological safety), indicating that it is safe under normal operating conditions, assuming users follow standard precautions such as avoiding direct staring into the beam.
For design engineers and safety officers, these standards mean the WS/WE190L-P430 can usually be implemented without the complexity of higher-class laser safety measures, as long as standard guidelines and proper labeling are observed.
Environmental Conditions
The WS/WE190L-P430 supports:
- Operating temperature: –10 °C to +40 °C
- Storage temperature: –20 °C to +60 °C
- Protection class: IP67
These ratings make the WS/WE190L-P430 suitable for many indoor and semi-protected outdoor environments, especially in factories, warehouses, and automated logistics systems where washdowns or dust exposure may occur.
Installation and Alignment Tips for the WS/WE190L-P430
A through-beam sensor like the WS/WE190L-P430 delivers excellent performance when correctly installed and aligned. Fortunately, the design of this sensor pair makes the process straightforward.
Basic Mounting Procedure
- Mount the transmitter (WS) and receiver (WE) units using the integrated 3.1 mm holes or the BEF-W190 bracket.
- Ensure that the WS/WE190L-P430 units face each other along a clear line-of-sight.
- Tighten the mounting screws carefully, not exceeding the 0.5 Nm torque limit to protect the housing.
For best results, mount the WS/WE190L-P430 so that the beam path is not easily obstructed by unintended objects such as cables, brackets, or machine guards.
Aligning the Laser Beam
The WS/WE190L-P430 includes simple visual indicators to aid alignment:
- The green LED indicates that the laser is active.
- The yellow LED indicates the output status (beam interrupted or not, depending on the configured switching mode).
To align the WS/WE190L-P430:
- Power up the sensor pair.
- Adjust the position of the transmitter and receiver until the receiver’s LEDs show a stable state with the beam uninterrupted.
- Introduce a test object into the beam path and verify the switching response on the WS/WE190L-P430 (LED and PLC input).
- Use the integrated sensitivity potentiometer to fine-tune the switching threshold so that the WS/WE190L-P430 is robust against minor misalignment or dust, but still reliably responds to your target objects.
The M8 connector on the P430 variant is 90° rotatable, which is a practical feature when adjusting orientation in cramped spaces. This helps keep cables clear of moving parts and reduces mechanical stress on the connection.
Is the WS/WE190L-P430 the Right Sensor for Your Machine?
The WS/WE190L-P430 is not a one-size-fits-all answer, but it is a strong candidate whenever your application requires:
- Long-range detection up to 50 m with a clear line-of-sight
- High switching speed up to 1,000 Hz for fast-moving parts
- High reliability on dark, shiny, or slightly misaligned objects
- A compact, rugged sensor pair with IP67 environmental protection
- Standard PNP output and 10–30 VDC supply
If you are building or upgrading conveyors, packaging lines, or automated assembly systems, the WS/WE190L-P430 can often replace older or less robust sensors, simplifying maintenance and improving uptime.
On the other hand, if your application does not allow a clear path between the transmitter and receiver—for example, if space is highly constrained or objects are too close to the sensor—then diffuse or retro-reflective sensors may be more appropriate than the WS/WE190L-P430. Evaluating your mechanical layout, object characteristics, and required range will help you decide if the WS/WE190L-P430 is the best fit.
Related Product Collections to Complete Your Sensing Setup
To get the most out of the WS/WE190L-P430, it helps to explore related products that complement your sensing and connectivity needs. Here are three product collections you can direct readers to:
-
Sensors ➜
Explore a wide range of industrial sensors, including photoelectric, proximity, level, and more, to standardise your detection strategy across the entire line. -
Reflectors ➜
Browse reflectors and optical accessories ideal for retro-reflective setups and other optical sensing tasks that may complement your WS/WE190L-P430 installations. -
Connectivity ➜
Find M8/M12 cordsets, plugs, and wiring accessories to power and integrate your WS/WE190L-P430 sensors reliably into PLCs, I/O modules, and control panels.
Conclusion: Maximizing Uptime with the WS/WE190L-P430 Through-Beam Sensor
The WS/WE190L-P430 brings together long-range laser technology, rugged IP67 housing, high switching speed, and global approvals in one compact through-beam sensor pair. For engineers, integrators, and maintenance teams, that means fewer nuisance trips, more stable detection, and simpler integration into existing 24 VDC control systems.
By taking advantage of the dedicated mounting brackets, M8 cable systems, and flexible alignment features, you can install the WS/WE190L-P430 quickly and keep it running reliably, even in demanding material-handling or assembly environments. And because it belongs to a family of related models, you can choose a WS/WE190L variant that aligns perfectly with your preferred output type and wiring style.
If you are currently reviewing options for long-range object detection, it’s worth spending a few minutes exploring the product page of the WS/WE190L-P430 from your chosen supplier or internal catalogue. Looking at the full datasheet, part numbers, and available variants will help you confirm that the WS/WE190L-P430 matches your application requirements and can support your goal of stable, low-maintenance sensing on your machines.
