ZF Electronics produces a variety of industrial automation and HMI devices, which includes their GS101205 Hall effect speed sensor. This device promises near-zero speed operation detecting up to 15kHz, with unlimited mounting operations, but occasionally customers report issues with the sensor failing above low speeds but well below its 15kHz specified ceiling. What might cause this?
A leading cause of issues is that this is specifically a gear tooth sensor. Some customers attempt to use it to pick up items such as pins, bolts, nubs, flanges, or other surfaces the sensor isn’t expecting to see. This can cause gremlins in your system, up to and including total failures to operate. When designing this sensor into your system, please ensure the sensing face you’re designing it to work with meets the sensor’s specifications for proper operation. For further information, check out the product’s datasheet.