RS PRO Magnetic Pickup

These analogue output style transducers are available in three sizes: 1/4in (std.), 3/8in (high o/p) and 5/8in (heavy duty). They offer an inexpensive solution wherever a simple alternating waveform corresponding to movement past the pole piece is required. They are passive devices requiring no external power. They yield an output voltage in response to variations in their self-induced magnetic field caused by proximity to moving ferrous metal parts. They are steel encased for ruggedness and are supplied with two fixing nuts.

The output voltage is given for a load of 100kΩ with a 0.005in air gap at 20kHz operation. This corresponds quite closely to the pick up being 0.13mm from a 38mm diameter gear wheel with 30 teeth revolving at 13000rpm. The output will be different with other conditions and will be influenced by the composition of the gear wheel teeth. In unusual conditions it should be determined by experiment noting the following points:

Use the pick up with a high impedance load and position the pick up as close as is safe to the moving parts, clearances up to 2.5mm are quite normal
In a geared system, use the pick up with the highest speed gear wheel

The Heavy Duty version is supplied with a MS3101A 10SL 2P Connector.

Selecting Magnetic Pickup is essentially consisting of matching a pickup to gear (or other targets) to provide the right amount of input signal to operate at the desired minimum speed. Each type has its unique technical parameters; therefore, it is essential to choose suitable sensors at the right price and quality.

We are proudly introducing our own branded RS PRO Analogue Magnetic Pickup Sensor available in three sizes: 1/4in (std.), 3/8in (high o/p) and 5/8in (heavy-duty).

They offer an inexpensive solution wherever a simple alternating waveform corresponding to movement past the pole piece is required. They are passive devices requiring no external power. They yield an output voltage in response to variations in their self-induced magnetic field caused by proximity to move ferrous metal parts. They are steel-encased for ruggedness and are supplied with two fixing nuts.

The output voltage is given for a load of 100kΩ with a 0.005in air gap at 20kHz operation. This corresponds quite near to the pick up being 0.13mm from a 38mm diameter gear wheel with 30 teeth revolving at 13000rpm. The output will be different from other conditions and will be influenced by the composition of the gear wheel teeth. In unusual conditions it should be determined by experiment noting the following points:

• Use the pick up with a high impedance load and position the pick up as close as is safe to the moving parts, clearances up to 2.5mm are quite normal.


• In a geared system, use the pick up with the highest speed gear wheel.

Our Magnetic Pickups requires a peripheral speed greater than 250 mm per second to operate. Rise and fall times and Amplitude of the output pulse are independent of the characteristics and speed of discontinuity.

Magnetic Pickups

Miniature magnetic 'pickup' transducers are suitable for use in a wide range of sensing applications. Each device responds to the movement of ferrous parts past the pole at the end of the unit. They are used extensively in areas such as speed regulation of motors, when sensing, for example, the teeth on a gear wheel.

However, magnetic pickups may be used to implement feedback and control functions in many fields. Automotive applications include crank angle sensing, ignition timing, anti-skid systems and diagnostics. Applications in the computer peripherals area encompass disc drives, line printers, card punches/readers and printer terminals. The diagrams indicate the two basic modes of using these components. Note especially their small size with their high signal output, enabling their deployment where many conventional sensors cannot be fitted. Fully encapsulated construction for reliable operation, but not intended for immersion in liquids.

Magnetic Pickups have their place to sense passing:

• teeth on a gear


• sprocket


• timing belt wheel


• to bolt-heads


• key-ways or other moving machine mounted targets

Magnetic Sensors provide high-output voltage, making ideal for heavy-duty wiring, automotive applications, such as:

• Engines


• Detecting the rotary speed of a moving part

Other fields of the Magnet include security and military applications, such as:

• Detecting


• Discrimination and localisation of ferromagnetic and conducting objects, navigation, position tracking and antitheft systems

RS PRO is our family brand to go-to and brings you a wide range for high-quality and high-value products to support your project. Trusted by engineers all over the world, every part of every RS PRO product is always rigorously tested against demanding industry standards. We are only giving the RS PRO seal of approval if we are confident of their exceptional quality, which means you can be convinced too.

The Heavy-Duty version is supplied with an MS3101A 10SL 2P Connector