Product Overview

The Epro PR6423/010-020 is an 8 mm Eddy Current Sensor for non-contact measurement of shaft movement in rotating machinery. It can be used where the monitoring system needs direct information about the relative position between a stationary probe and a conductive rotating target.

The sensor head is installed close to the monitored shaft without making physical contact. Shaft vibration, radial movement, or axial displacement changes the distance between the probe and the metal target, allowing the associated monitoring electronics to detect mechanical movement.

In turbine and compressor installations, eddy current probes are commonly mounted around bearing housings or other defined measurement locations. The PR6423/010-020 can serve as the sensing element for machinery-monitoring arrangements where stable shaft displacement information is required during continuous operation.

The compact 8 mm sensor head is also useful when probe access is restricted by bearing housings, machine structures, or existing instrumentation. Installation accuracy matters because probe position and mechanical clearance directly affect the quality of the measurement.

Technical Specifications

Product Features

The PR6423/010-020 is intended for applications where shaft movement must be measured without contact between the sensing element and the rotating component.

Key characteristics include:

• Epro PR6423 series eddy current sensor
• 8 mm sensor head diameter
• Non-contact measurement principle
• Suitable for conductive rotating targets
• Applicable to shaft displacement monitoring
• Suitable for vibration-related measurements
• Compact probe head for restricted mounting areas
• Applicable to critical rotating machinery
• Suitable for continuous condition monitoring
• Can be used with associated Epro signal-conditioning and monitoring equipment
• Appropriate for turbine, compressor, pump, and generator monitoring applications

The probe should be selected together with its associated electronics and application-specific installation arrangement rather than treated as an isolated measurement device.

Working Principle

The PR6423/010-020 detects changes in the electromagnetic interaction between the probe and a nearby conductive metal target.

Probe Excitation → Eddy Current Field → Metal Shaft → Gap Variation → Measurement Signal → Monitoring Electronics

1. Electromagnetic Field Generation

   The probe creates an alternating electromagnetic field at its sensing tip.

2. Target Interaction

   When the probe is positioned near a conductive shaft, the electromagnetic field induces eddy currents in the target.

3. Electrical Response Change

   The electrical characteristics of the probe circuit change according to the distance between the sensor head and the target.

4. Mechanical Movement Detection

   Shaft vibration or displacement changes the probe-to-target gap. These changes are reflected in the sensor measurement.

5. Signal Processing

   Associated signal-conditioning equipment processes the probe signal and passes the resulting measurement to the machinery monitoring or protection system.

For shaft monitoring, the probe installation position establishes the mechanical reference used by the monitoring system. Any change in probe mounting or shaft geometry should therefore be considered when evaluating abnormal readings.

Role in a Rotating Machinery Monitoring Architecture

The PR6423/010-020 forms the front-end sensing point of an eddy current measurement chain.

Rotating Shaft → PR6423/010-020 → Signal Conditioning → Monitoring / Protection System

Industrial Applications

The PR6423/010-020 is particularly applicable to machinery where a stationary sensing element must monitor a moving metallic target without physical contact.

Installation and Maintenance

1. Verify the complete PR6423/010-020 part number before installation.
2. Confirm that the 8 mm sensor head is compatible with the available mounting position.
3. Inspect the probe mounting location before installation.
4. Position the probe accurately relative to the monitored conductive target.
5. Set the probe-to-target clearance according to the applicable monitoring-system requirements.
6. Secure the probe to prevent movement caused by machine vibration.
7. Route the sensor cable away from mechanical damage and unsuitable interference sources.
8. Check all probe and signal-conditioning connections.
9. Verify the sensor signal before starting normal machine operation.
10. Compare the measured value with the expected mechanical condition.
11. Recheck probe position after bearing, shaft, or housing maintenance.
12. Inspect the probe tip and mounting arrangement during scheduled maintenance.

When troubleshooting an abnormal signal, inspect probe position, mechanical clearance, shaft condition, cable connections, and signal-conditioning electronics before replacing the sensor.

Related Components

Recommended Related Models

Key Advantages

• Epro PR6423 series eddy current sensing technology.
• 8 mm sensor head diameter.
• Non-contact measurement of conductive rotating targets.
• Suitable for shaft displacement and vibration monitoring.
• Compact physical sensor head for confined mounting locations.
• Applicable to turbines, compressors, pumps, generators, and other rotating machinery.
• Suitable for continuous machinery-condition monitoring.
• Compatible with associated signal-conditioning and protection architectures.

Technical FAQs

What distinguishes the Epro PR6423/010-020 as an 8 mm eddy current sensor?

The PR6423/010-020 uses an 8 mm sensor head for non-contact measurement of a conductive target. The physical head diameter is a key installation consideration when the probe must fit into a limited space around a shaft or bearing assembly.

How does shaft vibration appear in an eddy current probe signal?

Shaft vibration changes the physical gap between the stationary probe and the rotating shaft. The resulting variation in the probe’s electrical response is processed by the associated electronics and can be evaluated as a vibration-related measurement.

What should be checked if a PR6423/010-020 reading changes after machinery maintenance?

The probe position and mechanical clearance should be checked first. Shaft condition, bearing work, probe mounting, cable connections, and changes to the associated monitoring electronics should also be reviewed because mechanical repositioning can alter the measurement reference.

Can the PR6423/010-020 be installed directly on a rotating shaft?

No. The eddy current measurement principle requires the probe to remain stationary while facing the conductive rotating target. The shaft rotates relative to the fixed probe, and the changing gap is detected electronically without physical contact.