AirTAC Pneumatics
AirTAC EMS Series Mini Electronic Cylinder Switches
AirTAC EMS is a compact 2-wire solid-state position switch for magnet-equipped pneumatic cylinders, in G and H groove profiles with 2-10 m leads or M8/M12 connectors.
inventory_27 models availableSeries Overview
The EMS is the compact member of the AirTAC electronic sensor family: a miniature solid-state magnetic switch that detects the magnet ring in a cylinder piston and signals when the piston reaches the switch position. Because it is fully electronic, there are no reed contacts to wear. Every EMS is 2-wire and runs on a 10-28 V DC supply, with IP64 protection as standard.
The range is deliberately small. The profile letter - G or H - selects the mounting groove that fits a particular cylinder body; it is a fit code, not a performance grade. Lead options are flying leads of 2 m, 3 m, 5 m or 10 m, or an M8 / M12 connector version with 0.5 to 3 m pigtail. The -RW special adds waterproof, oil-resistant, flex-resistant construction rated IP68 for coolant, cutting oil and washdown areas.
An EMS only works on a cylinder that actually carries a piston magnet, such as AirTAC SC, SI, SU, SDA or MAL with the magnet option. There is no 3-wire NPN or PNP version in this series; that sits in the DMS family. Switching distance, response time and current rating are not stated here - confirm them from the datasheet before wiring.
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Typical Applications
Pick-and-place end-of-stroke sensing
A compact EMSG or EMSH clips into the groove of a magnet-equipped SC or SDA cylinder on a small pick-and-place gripper, signalling piston arrival at each end of stroke without adding bulk around the actuator.
Connector wiring on conveyor diverters
M8 or M12 EMS connector versions suit conveyor diverter cylinders wired with pre-made sensor cables, cutting termination time and avoiding individual lead runs back to the control panel.
Coolant-exposed machining actuators
The EMSH-020-RW, waterproof and oil-resistant to IP68, reads clamp or slide cylinder position on machining centres where cutting fluid splash and constant cable flex would kill a standard switch.
Washdown packaging machine feedback
RW-rated EMS switches on box-lift and pusher cylinders survive periodic washdown in packaging lines, while the standard IP64 version covers dry zones of the same machine on one supply rail.
How to Choose the Right Model
Start with the profile letter: it decides whether the switch physically clips into your cylinder groove. An EMSG and an EMSH are not interchangeable - they suit different body types. We do not publish a profile-to-cylinder table, so send us your cylinder model and we confirm the correct letter rather than leaving you to guess.
Next confirm the electrical side: your input must accept a 2-wire switch on a 10-28 V DC rail. If the PLC input needs a 3-wire NPN or PNP signal, step up to the AirTAC DMS series, which adds 3-wire outputs and four profiles. If the circuit is AC or above 28 V DC, use the CMS reed switch with its wide 5-240 V AC/DC supply. Pick a 2/3/5/10 m lead for direct wiring, an M8 or M12 connector for machines wired with pre-made cables, and the -RW IP68 version wherever coolant, cutting oil, washdown or constant cable flexing is present.
Before ordering, match five points: cylinder series and groove, 2-wire input suitability, supply voltage, lead or connector, and standard versus RW. Round-body F-MQ and tie-rod F-ACT brackets are separate accessories if you need a fixed switch mount.
Quick checklist
- ✓ Required force at your working pressure
- ✓ Stroke and available mounting space
- ✓ Port / thread type (PT / NPT / G)
- ✓ Sensor / magnet option (-S)?
- ✓ Side load — consider a guided model
Frequently Asked Questions
Three things. The profile letter (G or H) selects the cylinder groove the switch clips into - it is a fit code, not a performance grade. The wiring: a 2, 3, 5 or 10 m flying lead, or an M8 / M12 connector with 0.5-3 m pigtail. And the -RW special: waterproof, oil-resistant, flex-resistant and rated IP68 instead of the standard IP64. Every version is 2-wire on a 10-28 V DC supply; store codes include EMSG-020, EMSH-050 and EMSH-020-RW.
Match the profile letter to your cylinder body first - an EMSG will not seat in a groove cut for an EMSH, so confirm the letter against your cylinder model with us before ordering. Then choose lead length for direct wiring or an M8/M12 connector if the machine uses pre-made cables. Take -RW (IP68) wherever coolant, cutting oil, washdown or constant cable flexing is present; otherwise the standard IP64 version is enough.
The cylinder must carry a piston magnet - an EMS is useless on an unmagnetised piston. AirTAC SC, SI, SU, SDA and MAL cylinders are available with the magnet option. Electrically, the EMS is 2-wire only on 10-28 V DC. If your PLC input needs a 3-wire NPN or PNP signal, use the DMS series instead; if the circuit is AC or above 28 V DC, use the CMS reed switch, which accepts 5-240 V AC/DC.
AirtacDistr is an authorized export seller of genuine AirTAC parts, and every EMS ships with the full AirTAC ordering code (for example EMSH-030 or EMSG-100) so you can verify it against the datasheet. Switching distance, response time, current rating and body dimensions are not stated on this page - confirm them from the AirTAC datasheet or send us your code and we will check it with you.
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