Thread Detection (Thread Sensor) Probes

Automate manufacturing with thread detection sensors that identify threaded vs. unthreaded holes.

Thread Detection probes are specialized versions of our standard eddy-current displacement probes. They have extended sensing tips to allow easier penetration of tapped/untapped holes and to allow the sensing field to more easily engage the sides of the holes.

See our Thread Detection Application Note for details on using these probes with our standard sensor electronics.

Probe Selection

Selecting the right probe is dependent on the material type (ferrous vs. nonferrous) and the tapped hole size. The charts below identify the probe model required for your specific sensing needs.

Ferrous Materials
Metric	Inch	Probe
M6 x 1	1/4-20	T5BZ
M7 x 1	1/4-28	T5BZ
M8 x 1 M8 x 1.25	5/16-18 5/16-24	T6BZ
M10 x 1.25 M10 1.5	3/8-16 3/8-24	T7BZ
M12 x 1.25 M12 x 1.75	7/16-20 1/2-13	T8BZ
M14 x 1.5 M14 x 2	9/16-12 9/16-18	T10BZ
M16 x 1.5 M16 x 2	5/8-11 5/8-18	T12BZ

Use: ECA101 Eddy-Current sensor.

Nonferrous Materials
Metric	Inch	Probe
M5x0.8	–	T5BZ
M6x1	1/4 – 20 1/4 – 28	T6BZ
M7x1	5/16 – 18	T7BZ
M8x1 M8x1.25	5/16 – 24	T8BZ
M10x1.25 M10x1.5	3/8 – 16 3/8 – 24	T10BZ
M12x1.25 M12x1.75	7/16 – 20 1/2 – 13	T12BZ
M16x1.5 M16x2.0	–	T16BZ

Use: ECL101 Eddy-Current sensor

Thread Detection Probe Mechanical Details

Mechanical Specifications
Probe	Dimension “A”	Body Thread
T5BZ	0.13″ / 3.3mm	M8x1
T6BZ	0.16″ / 4.1mm
T7BZ	0.20″ / 5.1mm
T8BZ	0.23″ / 5.8mm
T10BZ	0.30″ / 7.5mm	M12x1
T12BZ	0.37″ / 9.3mm	M12x1
T16BZ	0.52″ / 13.1mm	M18x1

Probe Operating Environment

-25°C to +125°C IP67

Probe Cables

Standard probes have PUR (polyurethane) jackets. High-Temperature probes have FEP jackets. FEP cables can be custom ordered for standard temperature range probes.

More details on probe cabling are available in our Eddy-Current Probe Cabling Considerations TechNote.

Mounting Accessories

To minimize the chance of probe damage due to broken taps or misalignment, use mounting cushions for mounting probes. Size is selected to match the probe.

	Model Number
	SN-08	SN-12	SN-18
Internal Thread (must match probe)	M8x1 (T5-8)	M12x1 (T10-12)	M18x1 (T16)
External Thread	M16x1.5	M22x1.5	M30x1.5
Maximum Extension	0.35″ (8.9mm)	0.41″ (10.4mm)	0.49″ (12.4mm)
Dimensions mm [inch] (see below)
Dimension “F”	22.0 [0.87]	28.6 [1.12]	35.8 [1.41]
Dimension “H”	22.1 [0.87]	22.1 [0.87]	8.38 [0.33]
Dimension “O”	8.89 [0.35]	10.4 [0.41]	12.4 [0.49]

Thread Sensor