Eaton Electrical
Retroreflectors and Retroreflective Tape

Key Features

  • Used with Reflex Type Sensors
  • Two types of retroreflective target: Corner Cube and Embedded Glass Bead

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Retroreflectors from Eaton’s Electrical Sector are used with reflex-type sensors. Two types of retroreflective target material are available: corner cube and embedded glass bead.

Application Description

Corner Cube Retroreflectors This type provides the highest signal return to the sensor, typically 2000 to 3000 times the reflectivity of white paper. Three adjoining sides are arranged at right angles to each other. When a ray of light strikes one of these sides (A), it is reflected to the second (B), then the third (C), and then back to the source parallel to its original course. Thousands of these cube shapes are molded into a rugged plastic reflector or vinyl tape material. Corner cube retroreflectors are suitable for use with both standard reflex and polarized reflex sensors.

Corner Cube Retroreflector Size

The size of the retroreflective target has a significant effect on the excess gain and range of a reflex sensor. In general, we recommend you use the largest possible reflector in every reflex sensing application to maximize performance of the sensor and simplify alignment. To provide an even larger reflective area, multiple retroreflectors can be grouped together as shown.

Using Retroreflectors with Polarized Reflex Sensors

Only corner cube retroreflective material can be used with polarized reflex sensors. When polarized light from the sensor’s light source strikes a corner cube retroreflector, it is returned to the sensor in a depolarized state. This allows some of the light to pass through the detector’s polarizer, which is positioned at 90° to the source polarizer, to allow the sensor to operate. 

Glass bead retroreflectors do not depolarize light and will not work with polarized reflex sensors. 

Molded plastic corner cube retroreflectors are always recommended as they provide the highest signal return to the sensor.

Corner cube tape works with polarized reflex sensors but returns less light to the sensor. In all cases, Eaton recommends testing sensor and tape prior to final installation.

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