Safety laser scanners · Self-monitoring scanners that watch a configurable protective field around machines and vehicles and stop the hazard when it is entered, specified by safety rating (Type 3, SIL 2, Category 3, PL d), protective and warning field range, scan angle, resolution, response time and zone switching
A safety laser scanner sweeps a laser across a plane and stops a machine or vehicle when a person or object enters a protective field that you draw around the hazard, with an outer warning field to slow or alert first. Ask three things first: which safety rating the risk assessment requires, how large the protective and warning fields must be and at what detection resolution, and how many zone sets and what interfaces the machine or vehicle needs.
Type 3 safety laser scanners for machine guarding, area protection and automated guided vehicles, with their field configuration and safety outputs. Safety light curtains (see safety light curtains), safety relays (see safety relay module), safety interlock switches and non-safety laser sensors are outside this page.
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KEYENCE says its safety laser scanners meet Type 3, SIL 2, Category 3 and PL d. Unlike ordinary laser sensors, they monitor themselves through redundant signals; when a person or object enters the scanned area, a signal stops the nearby machine or hazard. It says the protection zone can be any shape within the detection range and can be changed with the machinery layout, and contrasts this with safety mats, whose coverage is fixed to the mat shape and whose internal wires can break. [1]
KEYENCE lists its SZ-V series with an 8.4 m protection zone and a 26 m warning zone, multi-zone monitoring, cascading, safety networking for remote monitoring, a detachable display and an optional built-in camera, and its SZ series with a 13.77 ft range. [2] [3]
A reseller listing for SICK's S300 Expert (S30B-3011GB) gives a 3 m protective field, 8 m warning field at 15% reflectivity, 270° scan angle with 0.5° angular resolution, Type 3 (IEC 61496), SIL 2, Category 3 and PL d (EN ISO 13849), IP65 and 1.2 kg; confirm figures against the maker's data sheet. [4]
Editorial calculation: 13.77 ft is about 4.2 m and KEYENCE's 27.5 ft figure is 8.4 m; the SZ-V's 26 m warning zone is about 3.1 times its 8.4 m protection zone. [3] [2]
Give the supplier the required safety rating from the risk assessment (type, PL, SIL), the hazard and approach directions, protective and warning field sizes, detection resolution (finger, hand, leg, body), mounting height and location (machine, floor, vehicle), number of field sets and switching inputs, outputs and network protocol, environment (dust, light, temperature) and enclosure rating.
02
The S300 Expert listing gives configurable detection resolutions of 30, 40, 50, 70 and 150 mm, an 80 ms response time and a 24 V DC supply (16.8–30 V). [4] KEYENCE lists muting and bank settings so that zone sets can change with the process, and says muted areas can be shaped to the exact item being muted so other open areas stay protected. [1]
KEYENCE offers free software to create zones and set up a scanner in a five-step process, and says the SZ-V series resists environmental factors to reduce false trips. [2] The response time and resolution feed the safety distance calculation for the installation, so obtain the values for the exact configuration chosen. [4]
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Ask any supplier for certifications (Type 3, PL, SIL) and certificates, protective and warning field ranges at stated reflectivity, scan angle, resolutions, response time, number of field sets, I/O and safety network options, supply, enclosure rating, temperature range, dimensions, weight and configuration software.
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The self-monitoring row is what KEYENCE says separates a safety scanner from an ordinary laser sensor: redundant signals check the device itself. [1]
| Part | Role | Fix in the order |
|---|---|---|
| Scanning laser and receiver | Sweep the plane and detect intrusion. [1] [4] | Angle; range. |
| Self-monitoring electronics | Redundant checking for safety rating. [1] | Type 3; PL d. |
| Protective and warning fields | Stop or warn on entry. [2] [4] | Sizes. |
| Zone banks and muting | Switch fields with the process. [1] | Number of sets. |
| Configuration software | Draws zones and sets up. [2] | Tool. |
| Display and camera | Status and remote view on some models. [2] | Options. |
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Apart from KEYENCE's zone ranges, the values here come from one reseller listing of SICK's S300 Expert, so check each against the maker's data sheet. [4]
| Field | What it means and published values | Ask the supplier for |
|---|---|---|
| Protection Zone Range (m) | e.g. 3 m; 4.2 m; 8.4 m by model. [4] [3] [2] | At your resolution. |
| Scanning Angle (°) | e.g. 270°. [4] | Angle. |
| Response Time (ms) | e.g. 80 ms. [4] | For your configuration. |
| Resolution (mm) | e.g. 30–150 mm configurable. [4] | Resolution. |
| Supply Voltage (V DC) | e.g. 24 V DC (16.8–30 V). [4] | Supply. |
| Power Consumption (W) | Given as current: 1.7 A (max) at 24 V DC. [4] | Power. |
| Operating Temperature (°C) | Not stated in the reviewed sources. | Range. |
| Storage Temperature (°C) | Not stated in the reviewed sources. | Range. |
| Degree of Protection | e.g. IP65. [4] | Rating. |
| Housing Material | Aluminium die-cast; polycarbonate optics cover with scratch-resistant coating. [4] | Material. |
| Weight (kg) | e.g. 1.2 kg. [4] | Weight. |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) (mm) | 102 mm × 152 mm × 106 mm as listed; confirm the axis order on the drawing. [4] | Drawing. |
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Paste it into your enquiry below or into an email to a maker, then replace every bracket.
Rating: [Type 3; PL d; SIL 2; other] Application: [machine; area; AGV] Fields: [protective m; warning m] Resolution: [mm] Zone sets: [number; switching] Interfaces: [OSSD; safety network] Environment: [dust; light; temperature; IP] Quantity: [scanners]
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KEYENCE lists Type 3, SIL 2, Category 3 and PL d for its safety laser scanners. [1]
KEYENCE's SZ-V covers an 8.4 m protection zone and 26 m warning zone; SICK's S300 Expert lists 3 m and 8 m. [2] [4]
KEYENCE says scanner zones can take any shape and change with the layout, while mats are fixed and can break internally. [1]
Sources checked 2026-10-11. KEYENCE makes safety laser scanners; a reseller lists SICK's S300 Expert specifications.
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