Cable Dimensioning

Compatible with: LRS4000 multiScan100 multiScan200 picoScan100

Select a device to prefill its power consumption, minimum sensor voltage, and number of supply wires. Choose a load condition to check typical, maximum, or startup consumption where specified in the operating instructions. Custom Values lets you adjust the device-specific inputs, for example to add digital output loads or combine sensors. Supply voltage and cable specifications remain editable for every device. Select the question-mark icon beside an input for guidance.

Input

Device Load condition

Power consumption [W]

?

Typical or maximum power consumption from the technical data in the operating instructions. Include digital output loads and add all sensors sharing the cable.

Minimum sensor voltage [V]

?

Lower limit of the supply voltage range in the technical data of the operating instructions.

Supply voltage at the power supply [V]

?

Output voltage of the power supply under load, minus its tolerance. Typically 24 V.

Cable length [m]

?

One-way length from the power supply to the sensor connector, including extension cables.

Cross-section per wire [mm²]

?

Conductor cross-section from the cable data sheet, often given as AWG.

0.14 (AWG 26)0.25 (AWG 24)0.34 (AWG 22)0.5 (AWG 20)0.75 (AWG 18)1.0 (AWG 17)1.5 (AWG 16)

Parallel wires per supply path

?

Number of wires connected in parallel for supply and for ground. See the pin assignment of the sensor connector.

12

Wire temperature [°C]

?

Highest expected temperature of the cable in operation. Warmer copper has a higher resistance.

Result

Voltage at the sensor	–
Minimum supply voltage	–
Margin	–
Voltage drop ΔU	–
Current I	–
Loop resistance R	–
Maximum cable length	–

The curve shows the sensor voltage; dashed lines mark the voltage and length limits.

General remarks:

• Measure the voltage at the sensor connector under load to verify the installation.
• Check the startup load as well as normal operation: the starting current can cause a voltage drop that prevents the sensor from starting.
• Take the supply voltage range and power consumption of your variant from its operating instructions on sick.com, and include digital output loads in the entered power.
• To reduce voltage drop, shorten the cable, increase its cross-section, use two parallel wires per path (halves the resistance), or use a higher permitted supply voltage.
• This estimate does not check cable ampacity, connector ratings, fusing, or electrical safety.

Device-specific remarks:

• Device presets default to maximum operating consumption, not startup consumption. Select the startup load where available, or use Custom Values with the startup data from the operating instructions.
• LRS4000 presets exclude digital output loads; select Custom Values to add them.
• The multiScan100 presets cover multiScan136, multiScan165, and multiScan166; multiScan200 uses multiScan270 data; picoScan100 uses picoScan150 data. Verify the operating instructions for your exact variant.
• multiScan270 requires both supply and ground pin pairs: see Electrical Connection.

Both supply and return wires contribute to voltage drop:

Cable resistance reduces the voltage at the sensor by ΔU.

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