A mechanical contact end-of-travel sensor with a metal housing and IP65–IP67 protection, used for machine end of travel, robot arm limits, automatic door interlocks, conveyor stop verification and safety guard interlocks. This series is represented by IEC 60947-5-1 compliant models of the XCKM series from Telemecanique Sensors (formerly Schneider, now part of YAGEO).
A limit switch is a common position sensor in electronics manufacturing. Unlike electronic proximity and photoelectric sensors, a limit switch is mechanical contact — its lever is pushed by an object to trigger the internal contacts. It needs no power supply and works on AC or DC, making it standard for end of travel and safety interlocks.
This series is represented by the Telemecanique XCKM series (classic industrial limit switches; the brand formerly belonged to Schneider Electric and is now part of YAGEO), marked to the IEC 60947-5-1 international electrotechnical standard, with metal housings, IP65–IP67 protection and a range of operating heads (roller lever, plunger, lever, spring rod). It is used on SMT/EMS and semiconductor machines, automated storage and conveyor systems. A JIAHON affiliated company supplies customers throughout Taiwan.
Specifications (Telemecanique XCKM series)
| Item | Specification | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Series | Telemecanique XCKM | Classic limit switch (Telemecanique Sensors, formerly Schneider Electric, now part of YAGEO) |
| Standard | IEC 60947-5-1 | International standard for low-voltage switchgear |
| Housing | Die-cast aluminum (metal) | Impact resistant, for industrial environments |
| Protection | IP65 / IP66 | Indoor and outdoor |
| Operating head | Roller lever / plunger / lever / spring rod | Choose by mechanism motion direction |
| Contact rating | Typically AC 240 V / 3 A, DC 24 V / 1 A | Follow the data sheet |
| Contacts | 1NO+1NC (common) | 2NO+2NC and 3NO+1NC also available |
| Mechanical life | > 10^7 operations (typical) | Depends on mechanism frequency |
| Operating temperature | −25 to +70 °C (typical) | Confirm for extreme cold / heat |
| Cable entry | PG13.5 / M20 thread | Use a waterproof cable gland |
Applications
The core use of limit switches is machine end of travel and safety interlocks — stopping when a mechanism reaches its limit, sensing automatic doors and verifying safety guard status. Common cases in electronics manufacturing:
- SMT machine end of travel: stencil up/down travel on solder paste printers, reflow oven rail movement, X/Y axis limits on AOI machines — a limit switch at the end of travel stops the machine when the mechanism reaches it, protecting the drive. More durable than a proximity switch.
- Semiconductor tool mechanism limits: end-position sensing on wafer handler robots, mask change mechanisms and wafer loaders. IP66 protection is needed so cleanroom cleaning liquid splashes do not affect it.
- Automated storage stacker crane limits: stacker crane rails in automated storage, AGVs and conveyor stop positions — a limit switch at the end of the rail triggers a stop to avoid collisions.
- Safety guard / maintenance door interlocks: machine maintenance doors, safety guards and cleanroom entrances — the limit switch senses the door state: when the door opens, the NC contact opens and the machine stops; when it closes, the contact closes and operation is allowed. For safety-related use, choose a safety type with positive opening (direct opening action, IEC 60947-5-1 Annex K), and select interlocking devices according to ISO 14119.
Selection guide: by mechanism and environment
| Application | Operating head | Protection | Representative model |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMT machine end of travel (standard) | Roller lever | IP65 | Telemecanique XCKM series |
| Limits in tight mechanisms | Plunger | IP65 | OMRON D4N series / XCKM short type |
| Cleanroom machines | Roller lever / plunger | IP66 or higher | XCKM cleaning-fluid-resistant series |
| Safety guards / maintenance doors | Lever + key interlock | Safety type with positive opening (IEC 60947-5-1 Annex K) | Telemecanique XCSE / SCHMERSAL safety types |
| Outdoor conveyors / heavy duty | Spring rod / lever | IP67 + stainless steel | XCKM heavy-duty type |
Limit switch vs micro switch: don’t confuse the twins
| Item | Limit switch | Micro switch |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | Metal (die-cast aluminum, stainless steel) | Plastic |
| Protection | IP65–IP67 | IP00 (none) |
| Size | 40–80 mm class | 10–20 mm class |
| Typical use | Visible position sensing on the outside of machines, safety guards | Inside mechanisms and instruments, appliance keys |
Rule of thumb: “outside the machine, exposed to oil and dust” → limit switch; “inside the mechanism, clean environment” → micro switch. The cost difference is large, but so is the difference in durability — mixing them up does not save money, it only saves you into later repair costs.
How to choose among the 4 operating heads
- Roller lever: triggered when an object passes sideways. Common, adjustable lever angle, smooth action. For object detection on conveyors, slide end of travel and machine track sensing. Mind the lever direction — the side the mechanism comes from decides which way the lever faces.
- Plunger: triggered by direct vertical pressing. Fast action, small size, precise triggering. For tight spaces (under fixture lids) and where the position must be sensed precisely (without the adjustment margin of a roller lever). Note that the plunger travel is usually only 1–3 mm.
- Lever: the object pushes the lever to rotate around its axis. Long actuation distance and longer lever. For longer travel (stacker crane rails, end of travel on large machines). Lever lengths can be chosen to match the mechanism.
- Spring rod: triggered from any direction (flexible spring rod). For objects at uncertain angles or where “all-round protection” is needed (outer edges of safety guards, robot fences, conveyor emergency stops). The spring rod can be pushed from any direction.
Positive opening (IEC 60947-5-1 Annex K) safety types: when are they required?
The IEC 60947-5-1 marking means the model complies with the international product standard for control circuit devices. Common test items:
- Safety-related contacts: positive opening (direct opening) action (Annex K, only for models with this marking).
- Mechanical life: number of operations per the manufacturer’s catalog.
- Electrical life: tests in AC-15 and DC-13 utilization categories.
- Protection: IP rating per the manufacturer’s catalog.
- Shock resistance: passed mechanical shock and vibration tests.
Where a positive opening (direct opening) safety type is required: (1) safety guards and robot fences; (2) emergency stop circuits; (3) interlocked doors (the machine can only start with the maintenance door closed; select interlocking devices according to ISO 14119); (4) all control circuits involving personal safety.
Where a standard type can be used: production triggers (such as “start only when the fixture is in position”), not involving personal safety.
Note: whether the XCKM model on this page carries the positive opening marking should be confirmed in the data sheet; other safety-type models are available on request.
Trademarks: Telemecanique, Schneider Electric, YAGEO, OMRON, Honeywell, SCHMERSAL and the model names on this page are trademarks or model names of their owners, used here only to identify the products. JIAHON is not the authorized distributor of these brands in Taiwan.
Request a quote
Need a quote or want to confirm specifications? Send us the model, operating head, contacts and quantity. Request a quote →